Totem of the Depraved is an autobiography by Nick Zedd

Nick Zedd

Nick Zedd is an American filmmaker and author based in New York City. He coined the term Cinema of Transgression in 1985 to describe a loose-knit group of like-minded filmmakers and artists using shock value and black humor in their work...

 released in 1983 and published by Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ....

' 2.13.61

2.13.61

2.13.61, Inc. is a publisher and record company founded by musician Henry Rollins and named after his birthday . The company has released albums by the Rollins Band, all of Rollins's spoken-word work, and numerous books....

 publishing company. A rare autobiography to emerge from the Cinema of Transgression

Cinema of Transgression

The Cinema of Transgression is a term coined by Nick Zedd in 1985 to describe a New York City, United States based underground film movement, consisting of a loose-knit group of like-minded artists using shock value and humor in their work...

 film movement of the early 1980s, it provides a venomous, bitter view of his collaborations with New York City artists like Richard Kern

Richard Kern

Richard Kern is a New York underground filmmaker, writer and photographer. He first came to underground prominence as part of the underground cultural explosion in the East Village of New York City in the 1980s, with erotic and experimental films featuring underground personalities of the time...

, Lung Leg

Lung Leg

Born Elizabeth Carr, Lung Leg is best known for appearing on the cover of the Sonic Youth album EVOL...

 and Lydia Lunch

Lydia Lunch

Lydia Lunch is an American singer, poet, writer, and actress whose career was spawned by the New York No Wave scene...

, as well as Blixa Bargeld

Blixa Bargeld

Blixa Bargeld is a composer, author, actor, singer, musician, performer and lecturer in a number of artistic fields...

, and his struggles with poverty and the New York City Police Department

New York City Police Department

The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...

in no-budget film-making.