Q: Hi!
Recently read the article on you that was in The Guardian (from June 20) about the new record and the writer mentioned you receiving some books on punk and hardcore history! I thought that was super cool as that music and culture has been a major part of my life and own music/zine career for a long time. Just curious what books you've been checking out and what your thoughts are on everything so far, if you've had the time to? I was so obsessed when I got into all of that stuff, I read everything I could. Sometimes I wish I could go back and relive that same feeling of getting into it, so I wanted to reach out. If it's something that keeps your interest, let me say that it's definitely a complete rabbit hole from here on haha.
NC is such a great spot for current hc bands too, plus with Sorry State and the proximity to Richmond...I've never had a bad time whenever I've rolled thru!
If you're unfamiliar with any of these books, may I recommend? The "Flex" series. If you ever happen to come across any those in your travels or thrifting/record shop adventures, definitely pick them up! They're some of the best, most informative discographies on obscure punk/hardcore records from all over, but they're insanely hard to find. "Cut & Paste: The American Hardcore Fanzine" is a newer one but a really great compendium of old zines which covers a lot of important history as well, and "The Day the Country Died: A History of Anarcho Punk 1980โ1984" is an important one from the more political/UK perspective. That's not even mentioning all of the photographic books out these days...
Hope you find something you really dig in all of it!
Stoked for the new record also, love the singles so far!
A: Mostly posting this one for other people interested in this research!
I juuuust finished the novel Iโve been reading yesterday and can finally dig into some of the books I was recommended: โAmerican Hardcoreโ, โNYHโ and โStraight Edge: A clear headed hardcore punk historyโ.
Iโm sure Iโll be writing more thoughts about them on the blog once I can dig in a little further