When I say punk rawk, what's the first thing that comes to mind? That's right: the public library. And no library is more punk rock than San Francisco's Main. Downstairs in the Jewett Gallery, Ruby Ray's photos of the city's early, primitive punk scene are on exhibit until December 6. You must go. 1979 through 1981 was such an exciting time to live in the city. But I wouldn't know because I was in high school in Concord, 30 miles away. By the time I got to SF in '82, many of the early punk bands had disbanded and reformed and new bands were taking over, going in more poppy, but still arty directions.
It was all good fun, except for the heavy drugs, poverty and genuine angst. But even that was fun for a while. That raw desperation seems to be missing in today's youth culture. Maybe the kids of today should spend more time at the library.
But wait, there's more! The SF Main just gives and gives and gives.
September 12 - November 22
Punk Penelope
A display of original artwork, albums and ephemera from the collection of Penelope Houston, singer/songwriter and founder of the seminal punk rock band, The Avengers.
Cafe, Lower Level, Main Library
Wednesday, October 7, 6 p.m.
Punk Live on Film
Screenings of Louder, Faster, Shorter; Deaf Punk; and Insect Lounge Sally RemiX 1978 followed by audience Q&A with filmmaker Mindy Bagdon and photographer Ruby Ray.
Koret Auditorium, Lower Level, Main Library
Tuesday, October 20, 6 p.m.
Gimme Something Better
Author reading and presentation by Jack Boulware and Silke Tudor. Book sale to immediately follow.
Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, Lower Level, Main Library
Wednesday, November 4, 6 p.m.
Film Screening of SF Punk (Target Video)
West Coast Premiere!
Film will be followed by audience Q&A with photographer Ruby Ray and video producer Joe Rees.
Koret Auditorium, Lower Level, Main Library
Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m.
Queer Punk: Panel Discussion
Panel will discuss how being Queer influenced their music and share memories of playing in the San Francisco punk scene in the '80s and '90s. Panelists include KD Davis, bass player for Wilma and Impulse F, Debbie Hopkins, drummer for The Contractions, and Jon Ginoli, founder of Pansy Division.
Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library, 1 Jose Sarria Court (at 16th Street)
Photo of Olga de Volga (The Offs, VS, the Lewd) by Ruby Ray.
Exhibit press release.
Radio KQED's Forum Goes Punk! show. Believe me, this is an unusual topic indeed for KQED: Guest host Scott Shafer speaks with local musicians and Jack Boulware and Silke Tudor, authors of “Gimme Something Better: The Profound, Progressive and Occasionally Pointless History of Bay Area Punk from Dead Kennedys to Green Day.”
Again, after my heart, are ya! Man, I remember coming into SF A LOT during 1977 through 1981 (moved there in 82) and seeing the Lewd, the Mutants, Dead Kennedy's and one of my personal favorites, the VKTMS. and of course a lot of the L.A. bands that came to town (Black Flag, Circle Jerks, X and Minutemen).
ReplyDeleteThis is great, Lisa. I'm going to ry to make it to at least one of these exhibits.
I heard a show about this recently on NPR and I am intrigued.
ReplyDeleteWe suburban kids in NJ were touched by the SF punk scene, too. I remember when the Dead Kennedys came to my small town to play and a girl I knew "claimed" she made out with east bay Ray. Such excitement!
I also remember the band "Fear" and their song "I love Living in the City" For some reason that band was never mentioned on the NPR show. Maybe I am wrong and they weren't from SF after all?
Fear was from L.A., but they played in SF a bunch. They scared me. Good name, Fear.
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