Poetry for the People

Oakland native Joe Pachinko, writer and publisher of the underground publishing company Superstition Street Press, will read from his new book of poetry "The Urinals of Hell"

In the tradition of Bukowski, Pachinko's poetry is dirty, gritty, politically aware, and attuned to the hypocrisy inherent in modern U.S. culture. The poems roam from the Tenderloin to New Orleans, from Japan to the streets of Oakland where Pachinko grew up. Whether arguing with an SUV-driving, cellphone-wielding Berkeley Yuppie, or eulogizing a gay-bashing right at Ellis and O'Farrell, Pachinko's words are frightening, sarcastic, beautiful, and sometimes just damn funny. Come listen to the poetry no self-respecting poetry publisher would publish!

Earlier this year, Pachinko re-published the banned poetry book "The Love Book" in a limited edition letterpressed edition.