Lydia Lunch storms into the conversation like a hurricane, leaving no room for subtlety as she declares: "There won't be a funeral. You'll never find my body." The frontwoman of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks is making it crystal clear – when she's gone, don't expect any pomp or circumstance. Her words are laced with a desire to evaporate into thin air, returning to the ether like a spectral presence.
Known for her fearless stage presence, Lunch has always been one to take centre stage and command attention. And if anyone needed proof, she recounts the time a drunken heckler got more than he bargained for after a lewd remark. She invited him onto the stage, then – with a swish of her blackjack club – sent him packing with a healthy dose of revenge. "I'm always prepared!" she cackles, relishing in the memory.
But Lunch's opinions aren't just limited to her own high-octane performances. She takes aim at pop culture, dismissing it as an 'existential vacuum' that swallows up those lacking a healthy dose of independent thought. And if you're wondering what she makes of sandwiches – well, let's just say bread is only acceptable if it's "highly nutritious or Danish". Anything less? Forget about it.
Looking back on her time in the music scene, Lunch recalls witnessing Suicide perform at the tender age of 16. The impact was seismic – their unique blend of mania and musical schizophrenia left her breathless. And Alan Vega's intense stare still sends shivers down her spine: "They sounded like no one else," she marvels.
But when it comes to being immortalised in public spaces, Lunch takes a nuanced view. While acknowledging the recognition might not come with a fat cheque, she deems it better than having some dodgy fast food joint named after you. And as for her collaborations with Australian musicians like Tex Perkins? "He's adorably funny, sexy, raunchy – everything rock'n'roll should be," she coos.
As a regular columnist for The Idler and the infamous author of 'Tough Love', Lunch is more than just a figure from the past – she's still very much a part of UK audiences' conversations. And with her uncompromising views, it's clear she'll keep ruffling feathers for years to come.