prologue
how to
start a fire
History matters.
It matters because it shows you the practical limits of what's possible.
Let's say it's the mid-1970s. The hippie rock rebellion has fizzled out or been co-opted by corporate power. Rock music is now too profitable to be dangerous. Disco and glam reign supreme. You're young, angry and poor. Your society is stupefyingly boring at best, or irreparably broken at worst. Everything is wrong, everywhere, and you're powerless to change it.
What's your move? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of your life with a resigned frown?
Maybe.
Or maybe you do something about it.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
Fuck no!
You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
- Bad Religion - The Grey Race
- Black Flag - Damaged
- The Clash - London Calling
- The Misfits - Something Or Other
1977
the
decline of western civilization
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
Fuck no!
You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
NYC
the beginning
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
Fuck no!
You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
- Bad Religion - The Grey Race
- Black Flag - Damaged
- The Clash - London Calling
- The Misfits - Something Or Other
1980
kids of the black hole
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
london calling
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
Fuck no!
You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
- Bad Religion - The Grey Race
- Black Flag - Damaged
- The Clash - London Calling
- The Misfits - Something Or Other
1982
california uber alles
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
Fuck no!
You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
- Bad Religion - The Grey Race
- Black Flag - Damaged
- The Clash - London Calling
- The Misfits - Something Or Other
SOCAL
PUNK
california uber alles
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
Fuck no!
You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Something Dial House.
- Bad Religion - The Grey Race
- Black Flag - Damaged
- The Clash - London Calling
- The Misfits - Something Or Other
1985
just the
best party
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
History matters. It matters because it shows (PODCAST) us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise!
This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
The DC
SCENE
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown?
Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too. History matters. It matters because it shows us the limits of what's possible. Namely: there are no limits. Say you're young, poor and angry; society is boring at best and irreparably corrupt at worst. What then? Do you shrug your shoulders and slog through the next 40 years of you life with a resigned frown? Fuck no! You grab your friends and start making some noise! This is the story of how a bunch of teenagers started a fire called punk rock, using nothing but endless confidence, frantic energy and a fuck-you attitude. They did it. You can too.
epilogue
kamikaze
genes
Nothings lasts forever.
Rebellions are doomed to either fizzle out, be crushed or become victims of their own success. The mainstream devours everything.
Punk has been declared dead a dozen times, yet it keeps coming back. It had a rebirth in the 90s, the 2000s and beyond. The virus is unkillable. Today, fifty years later, there are punks in Malaysia, in Greece. There's jazz-punk, folk-punk, xxx-punk.
Some part of the rebel DNA persists from generation to generation, mutating as it goes, always finding new hosts to infect. A tiny kernel of weirdness that percolates through the underground, resurfacing every decade or so. It's no longer a style of music but an attitude, a worldview. A DIY ethic.
Recently it's been reborn again: Viagra Boys. IDLES. Death Grips. The Chats. Amyl & the Sniffers. P.O.S. Dune Rats.
The future is unwritten.
