One thing I can say is that we will always do our best to be real and open. Below are some commonly asked questions that we have been asked individually or collectively. We have tried to answer them as openly and honestly as we can, they are not necessarily the best answers, but they are the right answers.
Why 'Evilbadevil?'
About a year ago, I was sitting at a bar for our regular Sunday brunch with my regular crew of misfits. As we sat there, someone from NYC walked by with the silliest multisyllabic clothing company name on a shirt stretching from armpit to armpit, and written in graffiti no less. I said you know, I swear they'll put anything out there that "appears" super, ultra punk rock and street, they could cut the crap and just put Evilbadevil on there. My friend, looked up and said, "Hey..." So the idea for a DIY-forum I had been thinking through for a couple of years, had a name. Yes, an incredibly silly, very tongue and cheek name that was right on point - folks that are up to no good and doing it well. Besides it is almost a palindrome (sort of, ok not really)
-Evil1
Why do you have to have naked people?
1. WHY NOT? Is it not a valid form of expression? We want to provide a forum for the full spectrum of expression and, quite surprisingly, I recently discovered that nudes have been portrayed through multiple media for, like centuries. Some people even saw such portrayals as glorifying God’s creation. Some cultures even saw SEX as a beautiful religious experience. Who knew?
2. We wanted to present people in our self selecting community in a positive light with class and dignity and give others an opportunity to portray themselves on their own terms. It is about taking chances, confronting standards and double standards of beauty, questioning objectification, and rejecting erotophobia. So we have naked guys and girls of all body types and colors. We have heteros, bi, gay and lesbian, and 3rd sex expression in the same community – we think that is important and good.
3. Apparently it pisses some people off. We are OK with that. Sometimes we even like it.
Isn’t your site just porn?
Short answer, no.
I have been asked that question quite a few times, particularly in the beginning. Had “artists” tell me that they did not want to be associated with a site with porn on it. After a few seconds it became clear that they hadn’t really looked at the site. How would you know if you didn’t really look at it or listen to what we are intending to do? How will we be more, if artists refuse to participate, I thought. If even my mother can come around I figured enlightened artists could too. And most have.
So is it porn? Does it turn you on? Make you uncomfortable? Does it speak to your more prurient interests? If you asked this question, maybe YOU are just prude. You decide.
What is your Logo all about?
We wanted to do a logo that was simple and reminiscent of old tattoo flashes. The sacred heart or sacre d’couer has been associated with independence for more than fifty years. It seemed like an appropriate device for something that is both a burning passion and a project to which we have dedicated our hearts. Plus, it is a unifying symbol with hundreds of individualized reifications. Ultimately, the logos are about strength of soul, honor, and tradition.
Who is in EvilbadeviL?
There are 14 original sinners from DC to LA. Our group composition is purposefully half girls and half guys. We are old punks, skins, fetishists, musicians - people that have made their way on the fringes.
How did EvilbadeviL start?
Evil1 had worked through a business plan for about 4 years prior to starting EvilbadeviL and wanted to start a company with very talented, bright folks that did not necessarily fit in or choose mainstream jobs. Almost to a person, no one had health insurance and we knew we could do better than that for each other. This never was a get rich quick scheme, but a real business with real opportunities and benefits for us and our members whether in getting health insurance, providing opportunities for artists and writers to be seen by a large audience of thoughtful folks, or in helping bands share their music beyond their tri-state area.
We wanted to create a forum wherein tattooed, pierced and independent-minded folks would be more than just objects, but rather portrayed as multi-dimensional individuals that are capable and productive.
We are still just beginning, learning, and growing and with your support we will become some thing we can all see ourselves in that we built together.
Why don’t you have as many pictures as other sites with alt erotica?
We only want to bring you the best of what we shoot and what our guest photographers shoot. We have literally thousands of pictures in our files, but only the ones that the photographer’s and model’s have liked make it on to the site. So we don't do the "We have six models and 10,000 pics thing."
We are always seeking models and photographers, so if you can dig the approach get in contact with us. art at evilbadevil.com
How do you pick your featured artists?
Featured artists are generally artists we have had some relationship with through our network. In the future we will draw heavily form the ranks of MOT submissions. The benefit of being a featured artist is the ability to sell artwork through evilbadevil.com. Contact us for more details. art at evilbadevil.com
How often do you update?
As of June we will update once a week. We would like to get to the point of updating everyday and the more submissions we have the more possible that becomes.
How do you decide what art and literature to post?
We really don't, generally if you want to put it out there, we will put it up. Check out the guidelines on the submit page.
Why isn’t your site slick?
We could have a slick site, but to start we wanted a site that reflected the DIY sentimentality we began with. We are not professional Internet people. In fact when we started some of the original sinners had barely touched a computer. In the end, we designed the site ourselves and run it ourselves. We are very proud of our webmaster, who has given EvilbadeviL life.
We will be adding more functionality and will grow our capabilities, but is likely that we will remain determinedly unslick.
What is the deal with ‘Sinners?’
Perhaps it is a hold over from youth, where people like us, were often viewed somewhat eschew, and held in low esteem by those that played by (and made) the rules. A lifetime of indoctrination of backwards sexual mores, has often made some of us feel like sinners. Some embraced their ‘fallen’ nature and others still struggle. So perhaps we are all sinners, but there is always a chance for salvation. And, perhaps our best salvation (barring predestination) is that which we provide each other.
Do you pay EBE models?
Generally, no. Bodily expression is just one form on that continuum of self-expression. You do it for love - same as our artists, featured photographers, poets and writers who also do it for love.
Still got a question? Ask Thank Yous
Again thank you all for your support. The folks that took a chance to model for us, early posters on our message board like aboniks in Hawaii, folks that helped us build the site when we needed help. And the hundreds of thousands of you that have come by.