I see you feel strongly about all this. And it looks like I got some new bands to listen to.
They embrace anarchist-socialism. Revisionist history is ugly and a lie. I believe in truth.
To tell kids that it is "uncool" to be a conservative is to tell them to conform. How anti-establishment is that?
They shouldn't just question authority. They should question the Pied Piper who tells them to question authority.
Here are some samples from the Punk Rock category:
RazorcakeMuch more than just a punk zine. Considerably more than just a music zine. Razorcake tackles both of those, plus a hefty slice of (left wing, of course) politics, and a healthy dose of life for us ordinary folks.
It's All Lies: Leaflets, Underground Press and Posters - The Fusion of Resistance and Creativity in Israel An overwhelming collection of flyers/posters/protest art and graphics from the Israeli radical movements of the past 30 odd years. The editors have managed to reproduce (on fancy slick paper) hundreds of pieces of propaganda translated in both Hebrew and English in one oversized left-bound volume. Bigger, better, and more diverse than either Flyposter Frenzy or BAMN, this book celebrates resistance to the apartheid state of Israel and shows that within its borders there are caring, thinking, questioning individuals who are ignored in the West's Pro-Ariel Sharon media. These are the notes and protests of the Israeli John Browns. As timely , informative, and important as a book can be. Comes with a multimedia CD containg 30 Israeli punk bands, the book as a PDF, and a film. "A very impressive work. Belongs right there with achievements of anarchist and enlightenment over many years." [Noam Chomsky]
Sons Of Spartacus - ANGELIC UPSTARTS The grandfathers of left-wing 'street-punk' and Oi! are back, with a brand new record, recorded in 2002. Mensi and the boys (well, middle-aged men, it has to be said) rock through 15 new anthems, which could've as easily been lifted from "2,000,000 Voices". Yup, its that good, and just as vital.
The Hardcore/Punk Guide To Christianity A detailed, critical, and often very witty examination of Christianity and its teachings, and why they have no place within the punk scene. A timely exposition. The omission really being that the author forgot to add that, simply put, God doesn't rock. "This essay is for everybody within the hc/punk scene, Christians and nonChristians alike, but it was primarily written for the nonChristians who think that it's OK for Christians to proselytize in hc/punk."
Wipe Away My Eyes: A History - Underground Culture And Politics, 1979-1999 In the true traditions of the zine culture, comes this mammoth attempt to document (in, of course, a very singular and personal way) the underground scene of the 80s and 90s. And what a magnificent job it is. Articles, essays, rants, woodcuts, cut-ups, all built around dozens of interviews with the likes of Dan Sinker, Gabe Zeck, Guy Piccioto, Ian Mackaye, Jane Graham, John Marr, Larry-Bob Roberts, Mimi Nguyen, Paul Lukas and dozens more, present an incredible snapshot of, and incision into, the do-it-yourself radical culture, social movements and communities. Oversize, 250 pages, and a bargain at twice the price.
Peops: Portraits And StoriesPeops visually and verbally documents the artists, activists, writers, anarchists and musicians Fly met during a nationwide tour with her band, God Is My Co-Pilot. The result is a memorable gallery of all manner of characters eking out an existence, and occasionally finding joy, on the edges of modern capitalist culture. 100 color and black and white illustrations, with a foreword by Trina Robbins, and an introduction from Seth Tobocman. Lots of the folks drawn (and their stories) are familiar - Sue Coe, Eric Drooker, Peter Bagge, Michelle Tea, Lynnee Breedlove, Aaron Cometbus, Peter Kuper, Michael Albert - lots aren't. All are engaging, and - of course - beautifully sketched.
Tales Of A Punk Rock NothingA work of genius. Or at least, a highly inventive, authentic, and thoroughly entertaining 'novel' following the travails and adventures of a young modern punk rocker - as seen through his diary entries, letters, fanzines, flyers and associated detritus. Being in a band, doing a zine, the allure of DC, Food Not Bombs and political activism - it's all here.
I, Sh*thead: A Life In Punk Without a doubt, certain bands are pivotal - essential - to the history of punk, and hardcore. Dead Kennedys. Black Flag. Bad Brains. Minor Threat. And, of course, Canada's DOA. Joey 'Sh*thead' Keithley formed DOA in 1978, and its not hyperbole to claim that their first two LPs - 'Something Better Change' and 'Hardcore '81' , together with their trailblazing (international) touring , helped define,and set the standard, and sound, of punk. Not only are DOA still doing it 25 years later, but better yet, Mr Sh*thead is an incredibly articulate, generous, witty raconteur, possessed with incredible powers of recall. This is 'Get In The Van' , 'Banned In DC' and 'Philosophy Of Punk' jammed into one hefty action-packed volume. Illustrated throughout, of course, with dozens of photos, flyers, and record sleeves, Joey takes us through the first 10 years of punk in North America, and the world. The joys and disasters of touring, recording, rioting, doing it yourself, creating a scene, a movement, and changing the world. An engrossing, illuminating, inspiring hellride on the crazy train of punk rock and political activism. If you don't believe me, just check out Jack Rabid's introduction.
Pretty In Punk: Girls' Gender Resistance In A Boys' Subculture A superb subcultural investigation - from a punk author - which manages to weave personal narrative, interviews and history with critical theory and analysis. This is about women in punk. From a female perspective. What attracts girls to male-dominated youth subcultures like punk? What role does the subculture play in their perceptions of themselves, and in their self-esteem? How do girls reconcile a subcultural identity that is deliberately coded 'masculine' with the demands of 'femininity'? From the origins of punk, to why girls decide to go punk, to patterns of resistance to gender norms and the tactics girls use to deal with violence and harassment, this is a great book.
American Heretics: Rebel Voices In Music A collection of rather excellent lengthy, in-depth interviews with Ian Mackaye, Henry Rollins, Fat Mike, Jello Biafra, Rage Against The Machine, Chuck D, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Case Chaos of Amen, and At The Drive In. All of them are very articulate. Most are pretty smart too!
The Anarchist And The Devil Do Cabaret: Using Theatre, Music And Comedy For Radical Social Change An incredible collection of writings from the indefatigable anarchist racontour, sex(ism) workshop producer, activist and poet. Loosely based around a European tour with his anarchist cabaret band - Rhythm Activism - this is much more than a collection of journals. Though it is partly that. With wit, candor,and the skill of a true storyteller, Nawrocki weaves simple tales of life, history, travel, resistance and revolution into a coherent tapestry of a life on the road, a life of revolt, and a life steeped in history, tradition, and culture. Truly wonderful.
The Philosophy Of Punk: More Than Noise, 2nd edition This is the first book to give an inside look at the thriving subculture as an important present day movement and a way of life. Covering such topics as skinheads, fanzines, anarchism, homosexuality and, of course, punk rock! Includes over 70 photos, new layout, graphics and text.
Rock, You Sucker - POLITICAL ASYLUM A greatest hits (did they have any hits!?) collection of the almost legendary Scottish anarcho-punk/rock/folk band. 21 tracks culled from all of their various vinyl and demo releases. The devilishly handsome and fiendishly intelligent singer/songwriter is a founding member of AK Press, so if you don't purchase this in massive quantities, it'll destroy his already fragile artistic ego. Its actually pretty good. Imagine Rush and Husker Du fighting it out with the Mob and Zounds.
The Diamond Signature The Diamond Signature is what Penny Rimbaud considers his most important work. It formed the basis for the band CRASS, who literally revolutionized both punk rock and politics in a blistering seven year career, which found them reviled by the mainstream, and revered by hundreds of thousands in the underground they helped to create. "An emor-mous-ly ambitious and sonorous work of the eye-magination."--Lawrence Ferlinghetti
The People's Papers Project, Volume One Two twenty something punker activist writer types present their American Studies master's these in a zine format. Alabama grrl zine writer, Ailecia Ruscin weights in with "A Quest For A White, Southern, Female, Antiracist Subjectivity: The Contradictory Positions Of Southern White Women In The Civil Rights Movement", while Clamor co-editor Jason Kucsma gives us his "Resist And Exist: Punk Zines And The Communication Of Cultural And Political Resistance In America." Both are decent writers, manage not to sound too ridiculously academic, and serve up some thought-provoking, and engaging stuff.
Jerusalem Calling: A Homeless Conscience in a Post-Everything World Israeli by birth, American by association and homeless by conscience, Shalit is uniquely qualified to blast all stereotypes of Jewish identity. Punk, the religious right & Middle Eastern politics are all subjected to his biting humor and philosophical analysis. Can there be a secular non-Zionist Israel? And did Nirvana sell out? Part travelogue, part political and cultural analysis, part rollicking good read. An editor of Punk Planet and Bad Subjects.
Yours For The Revolution Young anarcho-punkers Penelope and Eugene hit the road. Along the way, the encounter an extraordinary woman named Liberty who invites them to become part of a movement dedicated to organizing workers, and changing society for the better. The State, however, has other ideas, and attempts to frame them in Philadelphia for assassinating the mayor, and boming City Hall. A coming of age story melded in the Crimethinc tradition, and set in the very near future. Edited by the author of Evasion, this is the first in a two art adventure novel.
Soy, Not Oi! An authorized reprint of the classic vegan cookbook. Over 100 recipes designed to destroy the government, complete with musical notes to accompany the chef. A sure-fire winner for every revolutionary palate.
No more Red Dupes.
and one to grow on... This one title more than any other explains the unifying PC mindset at AK Press:
The Sexual Politics Of Meat The groundbreaking work that introduced the idea that the eating of meat and the oppression of women are intimately connected. Welcome to a feminist ethics of vegetarianism.
Also try a band called Stuck Mojo. Their album "Rising" included the song "Crooked Figurehead" about Clintler and got them investigated by the Secret Service. Their other albums also have a decidedly conservative bent.