Writing A Book About The Punk/hardcore Scene In New Orleans

[🪦 Patsmear ●]

Hi All,I am in the process of doing a book showing all of the punk flyers I have collected from 84-95. I have some like Black Flag, Samhain, and loads of local bands that have now turned into bands like Down, Crowbar and Eye Hate God.It will be a black and white book and possibly have a cd with images so you can print out them for yourself.Here is the forward that I have written so far, if you have any ideas what you think should be added, let me know:Where do I start?As with so many other kids that grew up during what I see as the height of the American Punk/Hardcore movement, however short lived it was, was in fact the most life changing time of our lives. It seemed liked the only place that we fit in. Sure there were cliques, you had, kids from good homes, kids from broken homes and kids with no homes. The music brought us together and I can, without a doubt, say that my best friends are people I met back then.Everyone has a different story but for me it started when I went to Warehouse records and tapes out in the suburbs, and met a guy who went by the name of Hatch Boy. He worked in the store and was in a local band called Shell Shock. He steered me towards the Punk/hardcore selections that they offered with a little smirk on his face. I remember him pulling out various albums that he "knew" I would like. Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, and some compilation albums like, Let them eat Jellybeans, This is Boston-Not LA., and When the Men were Men and the Sheep were Scared. He also threw a 7 in. of his band called No Holds Barred. He also helped me decide on the selection by only charging me $15 for all of them. I took them home put them on the turntable and haven't looked back. This early selection of albums were played over and over. I couldn't get enough of it. As soon as the first selection was over, i was hooked for life.There were only a few places that would allow us to have bands play. The VFW hall on Franklin Ave. is the one that stands out in my mind the most. We would have bands from all over come through and entertain us for a few hours. I can remember showing up early just to hang out, and bullshit with friends. Some of the bigger band would play at Jimmy's or Storyville Jazz Hall, which is now the ridiculous neon and parrot covered eyesore known as Margaritaville! For the bands that would play over 18 shows, it was Andy Capps(although if you were under 18, it didn't much matter anyway).Now being down here in New Orleans was a problem sometimes too. A lot of the larger bands would come through to drink on their way to a show in Florida or Texas, and bypass our scene completely. I would hear stories of bands getting fucked with throughout the South. Although I don't remember our town ever having a lot of rednecks, I guess the bands would encounter them on the way to and from our fair city, and decide that New Orleans must be full of them too. So they would pass us up. On the flipside though, we had bands like NO-FX and Corrosion of Conformity, that wouldn't miss us for the world. Thanks for readingPat

[Willowman]

So is it going to mostly be a book of flyers and photos or will there be narrative throughout? Sounds like you have a good bit of reference.When you get ready to print the book or try to find a publisher, let me know. I know a good bit about the publishing industry and would be glad to help. Or any other questions you might have at all about writing, publishing, etc, just shoot me a pm.-Dan

[🪦 Patsmear ●]

It is going to be mostly pics. I am going to have some blurbs about things I remember, and am tryin g to get Mike Williams, and Phil Anselmo to add blurbs too.It is still in it's infancy right now, but I was looking into self publishing through a company like Lulu.comPat

[🪦 Dahone ●]

Pat...Send me an email: busitny@hotmail.comA friend of mine published his memoirs on the DC scene from the early 80's.

[Willowman]

The more blurbs you can get from musicians involved in the scene, the better. Try to find them on Myspace or Facebook or however you can but it will add a good bit of credibility to the book and make it all the more satisfying for the reader.

[🪦 SideshowFreak ●]

I personally know Harley from the Cro-mags and Roger Merit from Agnostic Front. Once you get this book rolling drop me a pm and i will see what i can do about getting them to add something to it.-Jared

[🪦 Patsmear ●]

That would be awesome!I saw the Cro-Mags once(they were supposed to open for Motorhead but cancelled). Agnostic Front came through numerous times and I saw most of those.Pat