ROX-TV watches the latest episode from Insane Clown Posse’s Twitch Channel: ICP Network presents “Clash of the Man Cave Collectables”.

Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. I’m your host for the evening and although I should be in bed by now, some nights the sleep just doesn’t want to come. Life is like that sometimes, at least for me and I find myself resisting the clock even though I know it’s ill advised. I got shit to do in the morning and it comes rather early. I’m in charge of getting my kids on the bus and I have to be moving by 6am. I have no problem doing it, but when I burn the midnight oil, mornings can suck. I’m not in pain but my eye lids would rather be closed. It’s gravy after the “Big Yellow” stops by and the second kid is off to a full day of learning…but I’m not free until about 7:45am.

So anyway, after that trip into the weeds…I was getting ready to talk about filling in time after hours. I had been working on some ROX-TV articles and was wrapping up when I checked my email. Twitch had sent me a reminder about the latest episode from the Insane Clown Posse on the ICP Network. I was a little late to the dance, but I clicked on the Twitch link and thought I’d see what they were getting up to.

The show was called “Clash of the Man Cave Collectables” and they were just getting to the fourth item I believe. The concept was that Violent J and 2 Dope would go back and forth, showcasing some of their coolest shit from home. Initially I wasn’t sure how it would go, was an hour late into the episode, and probably should have been winding down. But within a minute or so, I was hooked.

Violent J was talking about his collection of wrestling action figures, and he was explaining why each one was important to him. I’ve been a Juggalo since the early 1990’s and although I can’t claim to have ever been a “mega” fan of wrestling…I do know a little bit. Violent J was holding up the “toys” and talking about the individual wrestlers and even though I’m not a moderate wrestling fan, perhaps not even a light fan really unless Mosh Pit Mike or Chuey is in the ring or its an IBW event…I found myself being pulled in.

The show was laid back and relaxed, and I found myself easing back in the chair, pulling out a cigarette and losing myself within the program. Time seemed to become irrelevant and my guard was down. After the wrestling figures, I think that was when 2 Dope brought out an item that his mother had given him. It was a game card from “Trivial Pursuit” and had featured a question about ICP. 2 Dope’s mom had somehow glued two thick pieces of protective glass together forever enshrining the card. I found the story interesting and touching.

It was cool to hear from them talk about things that interested them. So often I associate ICP with the stage and music bumping…but they are also great story tellers. There is humor, novel commentary, and they are naturals at performing. Whether its on a stage or doing a “talk show” type of situation. From there I believe Violent J brought out some rare, Championship Wrestling Belts with mysterious origins. (I apologize if I’m out of order, but I’m just going from short term memory, slightly damaged from years of partying)

There were four belts all together and Violent J was looking to learn more about them. He said he had paid as much as Four Thousand Dollars for them, and he normally had hanging at the crib. Violent J asked the viewers if they could help him find out more about the belts because there exact history was unknown. He wanted to know the backgrounds if possible and who might have actually worn them over the years. I believe Shaggy figured out the one or at least knew about the belt from “Pacific” Coast…but I don’t remember the name associated at the moment. The others were a mystery.

After that, I think 2 Dope brought out a family heirloom and a rather odd piece. It was a glass shaped gun from the 1930’s and apparently had been a candy filled “gun” when his grandfather had purchased it many years ago. The story went that there were small candies that 2 Dope said he would have tried for shits and giggles, had there been any remaining. Sadly it was empty, but the story was interesting enough. Personally I thought that the “glass gun” would have made a great flask, but that’s just me.

The show moved on and at some point a crazy ass Sasquatch type of beast crashed the show. It was unexpected and coincided with a commercial break. There was some interesting commercials including one for Toledo rapper Bolic, which oddly enough I had just seen perform in Ohio a few days earlier (for the OG Juggalo Jam at the Polish Ostrich 944 Philips Ave). I recognized another one for a rapper out of Detroit called IDzILLEAGLE . ROX-TV had interviewed him for the “News from the Underground Series” last year (cool cat and great artist). Perhaps the biggest thrill was seeing a commercial for the book I wrote for Project Born called “Forever In The Jects” (available at the PJB’s website and also on Amazon). It was unexpected and I got excited. I woke up my old lady to check it out.

The show fired up and the item battle continued. 2 Dope had some unique mugs and a cup featuring Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan I believe. He talked about getting the glass from Vinnie the ICP Kid, although he couldn’t remember where the bigger mugs came from. Violent J brought out a story book by Slick Rick which was dope. Then it was 2 Dope’s turn and he brandished some Native American ICP bead work necklaces made especially for the Wicked Clowns. They were really dope and a fan from out west had made them and presented 2 Dope with them. Again interesting items, given by fans, with the backstory. I loved it and did truly find the information worth hearing about. Seeing the other side of these guys is cool and like I said before…the show had a relaxed flow to it that put me at ease.

I felt like an old guy watching my stories, and maybe I am getting old, so what. There was a side chat going on the right side of the screen and although I wanted to jump in there like the old school ICP chat room from late 1990’s and early 2000’s (guess at best, I used to get on there back in the day and talk shit with the Juggalos in cyber space, but it has probably been some twenty two years ago at the very least) the pace was fucking warp speed. People were banging out so much on there, that most comments weren’t on the screen long enough to comprehend. I guess that’s a problem the show enjoys having. That means people are tuning in, being engaged, and adds another dimension of that “hands on” feeling people dig.

Violent J presented a few more items including a poster from the Great Milenko days, which was signed by everyone from a celebration at the Shelter (Underneath St. Andrews Hall, 431 E. Congress Street) if I was seeing it right. Milenko had done very well and 2 Dope talked about it being one of the best times in their career, not that other parts weren’t good, but it seemed to be a fond moment in time for the group and why not? The Great Milenko would eventually go Platinum, selling 1.7 million copies (released August 12th, 1997, I remember and purchased a Hollywood Records copy before they were pulled a few hours later, I had the cassette and then later the cd, I still have both today)

There was a funny story about the Backyard Wrestling game, and Violent J talked about the crazy ass guy Newjack, who is dead now. Apparently, the guy was very unpredictable, over did it with cocaine at every turn, and generally terrorized a lot of people non-stop. He was on the cover with Violent J and J said that the two days they were doing the photo shoot was pretty intense and unpredictable due to Newjack’s over the top behavior. Again, a story I had never heard before, but entertaining none the less. Juggalos pretty much enjoy anything the Clowns do and I can’t say that I’m any different. I believe the last few items included 2 Dope’s action figures of themselves and Violent J’s ticket to Michael Jackson’s funeral.

What did I learn?

I learned that the content on the ICP Network was gravy and I enjoyed watching the program. Hell, I won’t lie…I was bummed out when the show ended. I’ve got a family and that takes up a lot of my time. When I’m not chilling with them, I’m writing for the ROX-TV website or working on a book about something. So, my time can be limited somewhat…especially on Mondays and Thursdays. But I enjoyed the episode so much, I will definitely be returning on a more regular basis because the show was worthwhile and a nice break from all the other bullshit I’m juggling on any given day (it’s not all bad, just busy)

Final Takeaway:

ICP has a good thing going with the ICP Network on Twitch. I encourage anyone who is a Juggalo or just likes watching one of a kind content to sign up (it’s easy as hell, I’m from the 1990’s and still figured it out in one setting) and prepare to be amazed. It’s worth a look…hell, it’s worth two looks at least. I promise you that once you start watching, it’s impossible to peel away. At the end of the night, they voted on who had the most interesting stuff for the showdown and I believe Violent J won, but don’t quote me on that because my laptop was struggling towards the very end and freezing up more than an Ice Cream Truck in January. Sign up, watch the shit, see for yourself. I will be tuning in Thursday for sure, if for nothing else than a nice relaxing break with two cultural icons.

Signing Off,

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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