Modern Drunkard Magazine
Encyclopedia
Modern Drunkard Magazine is a sporadically released glossy color periodical promoting the "functional alcoholic
's" lifestyle. Created in 1996, it has slowly gained notoriety, and currently enjoys a circulation of roughly 50,000. The magazine's creator, Frank Kelly Rich
, is also listed as the publisher/editor. Based in Denver, Colorado
, Modern Drunkard runs advertisements from bars
in Denver, Minneapolis, Las Vegas
and Philadelphia as well as companies selling drinking supplies.
The theme of the magazine − a celebration of alcohol
and the seemingly bohemian
lifestyles of functional alcoholics − runs counter to the message of moderation
commonly found in mainstream America: regular features include "Alcocomics − Cartoons for the sober challenged," "Post Cards from Skid Row" (featuring poetry written by and/or for the inebriated), "Wino
Wisdom," and "You Know You're a Drunkard When..." The magazine also features meticulously researched articles on alcohol's place in history, including such topics as the Whiskey Rebellion
and President Franklin D. Roosevelt
's love of the martini
.
Occasionally the magazine will expand on its regular "Booze in the News" feature to focus on a particular alcohol-related issue, such as the shrinking proof of a bottle of Jack Daniel's
or MADD
's definition of an "alcohol-related driving fatality."
The magazine's artistic style is reminiscent of popular 1950s "men's action
" pulp
periodicals, with artwork depicting tough, lantern-jawed men and sultry, buxom women.
Modern Drunkards rebellious standard
features a martini glass with an olive above two crossed swords. Three letters, M, D and M, appear on the flag and stand for "Modern Drunkard Magazine."
The magazine's website sells paraphernalia bearing its logo and/or phrases related to the magazine itself and to the liberal consumption of alcohol.
The September/October 2006 issue marked the magazine's 10th anniversary.
, seminars, interviews and drinking games, all accompanied by bar service and many free drink promotions. The inaugural 2004 convention, held at the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas, reportedly broke the casino's record for the amount of money brought in at a bar during a private event.
The magazine started releasing print issues again in the first quarter of 2011 and the magazine's official website shows the release schedule once again. The Modern Drunkard IRC chatroom remains an active communication channel along with the official forums.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
's" lifestyle. Created in 1996, it has slowly gained notoriety, and currently enjoys a circulation of roughly 50,000. The magazine's creator, Frank Kelly Rich
Frank Kelly Rich
Frank Kelly Rich is the creator, owner, editor, and publisher of the bi-monthly periodical, Modern Drunkard Magazine, and author of the book, The Modern Drunkard.- Modern Drunkard Magazine :...
, is also listed as the publisher/editor. Based in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Modern Drunkard runs advertisements from bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
in Denver, Minneapolis, Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
and Philadelphia as well as companies selling drinking supplies.
The theme of the magazine − a celebration of alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
and the seemingly bohemian
Bohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
lifestyles of functional alcoholics − runs counter to the message of moderation
Moderation
Moderation is the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. It is used to ensure normality throughout the medium on which it is being conducted...
commonly found in mainstream America: regular features include "Alcocomics − Cartoons for the sober challenged," "Post Cards from Skid Row" (featuring poetry written by and/or for the inebriated), "Wino
Wino
Wino is a slang term for a person, especially one who is homeless, who consumes large amounts of alcohol, usually in the form of low-end fortified wineWino may also refer to:* Wino , a subatomic particle...
Wisdom," and "You Know You're a Drunkard When..." The magazine also features meticulously researched articles on alcohol's place in history, including such topics as the Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion, or Whiskey Insurrection, was a tax protest in the United States in the 1790s, during the presidency of George Washington. Farmers who sold their corn in the form of whiskey had to pay a new tax which they strongly resented...
and President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's love of the martini
Martini
Martini may refer to:* Martini , a popular cocktail* Martini , a brand of vermouth* Martini , a Swiss automobile company* Martini , a French manufacturer of racing cars...
.
Occasionally the magazine will expand on its regular "Booze in the News" feature to focus on a particular alcohol-related issue, such as the shrinking proof of a bottle of Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's is a brand of sour mash Tennessee whiskey that is among the world's best-selling liquors. It is known for its square bottles and black label. As of November, 2007, one blogger was claiming that it was the best-selling whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by...
or MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
's definition of an "alcohol-related driving fatality."
The magazine's artistic style is reminiscent of popular 1950s "men's action
Men's adventure
Men's adventure is a genre of magazines that had its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. Catering to a male audience, these magazines featured glamour photography and lurid tales of adventure that typically featured wartime feats of daring, exotic travel or conflict with wild animals.These magazines are...
" pulp
Pulp magazine
Pulp magazines , also collectively known as pulp fiction, refers to inexpensive fiction magazines published from 1896 through the 1950s. The typical pulp magazine was seven inches wide by ten inches high, half an inch thick, and 128 pages long...
periodicals, with artwork depicting tough, lantern-jawed men and sultry, buxom women.
Modern Drunkards rebellious standard
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
features a martini glass with an olive above two crossed swords. Three letters, M, D and M, appear on the flag and stand for "Modern Drunkard Magazine."
The magazine's website sells paraphernalia bearing its logo and/or phrases related to the magazine itself and to the liberal consumption of alcohol.
The September/October 2006 issue marked the magazine's 10th anniversary.
Modern Drunkard Conventions
Beginning in 2004, Modern Drunkard Magazine has begun sponsoring an annual convention for readers and staff. Events include live music, independent films, live burlesqueBurlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
, seminars, interviews and drinking games, all accompanied by bar service and many free drink promotions. The inaugural 2004 convention, held at the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas, reportedly broke the casino's record for the amount of money brought in at a bar during a private event.
The magazine started releasing print issues again in the first quarter of 2011 and the magazine's official website shows the release schedule once again. The Modern Drunkard IRC chatroom remains an active communication channel along with the official forums.
External links
- Modern Drunkard official site
- Profile on Frank Kelly Rich
- Article on Jack Daniel's controversy in USA TodayUSA TodayUSA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...