Designed by sculptural artist J.P. Villegas, Reservoir Press created a custom poster for Hunter Valentine's performance at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. In the great tradition of custom rock band posters, this three color silkscreen was a limited edition poster for this special performance where the band opened up for Cyndi Lauper.
Putting a little spin on Harvey Milk's famous quote "I'm here to recruit you" from his Hope Speech in 1973, Jason at Reservoir Press came up with the slogan "We're Here to Recruit You" for this poster, which the band subsequently titled their live DVD filmed on the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. The poses for the figures were also inspired by Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ black power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympic games.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute
The goal of this layering of symbolism was to not only boldly announce the new American presence for this band, but to state in no uncertain terms that their presence as a band was both to entertain and to stand up for social justice.
Check out one of the tracks from Hunter Valentine’s “We’re Here To Recruit You” DVD:
