Banned in DC: Photos and Anecdotes from the DC Punk Underground (79-85) [Paperback]

Cynthia Connolly (Compiler), Leslie Clague (Compiler), Sharon Cheslow (Compiler), Sharon Cheslow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1988

Sometimes being a Washington DC insider means access to political movers and shakers--sometimes, as in the case of photographer Cynthia Connolly, it means access to a great collection of photographs from the glory days of DC hardcore punk. Taken both by Connolly and an assortment of punk enthusiasts, BANNED IN DC is a set of vibrant shots that portray the anarchic spirit, pure energy, and camaraderie of the DC scene in a series of 450 black and white photographs. Major figures in the hardcore movement, like Dischord Records co-owner and then-Minor Threat member Ian MacKaye and Bad Brains vocalist HR, share space with naked musicians, ubiquitous scenesters, shaven-headed audience members, and riotous punks, in a freewheeling combination of pictures and quotes. Vividly capturing the scene's idealistic intensity, BANNED IN DC is an invaluable document of Washington hardcore's exuberance and aspirations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Sun Dog Propaganda (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962094404
• ISBN-13: 978-0962094408
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,278,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, December 27, 1999

By 

SP (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Banned in DC: Photos and Anecdotes from the DC Punk Underground (79-85) (Paperback)

This book gives an interesting glimpse into a very specific, very magical time in the history of American punk subculture. I'm pictured several times in the book and I must say a flood of memories returned flipping through these pages. Their was a lot of energy going on back then!

The book should be interesting and fun for people involved in the hardcore punk scene today as well. It provides a glimpse into the motivations and embryonic formations of a "scene".

Those of us who grew up with punk and have carried those ideals with us needed a book like this to remind us of just how much of a blast being young really is! It's a state of mind!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME, September 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Banned in DC: Photos and Anecdotes from the DC Punk Underground (79-85) (Paperback)

Great book!!! A must have for any longtime DC punk scener!! Cheaper at Tower Records though!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good but..., September 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Banned in DC: Photos and Anecdotes from the DC Punk Underground (79-85) (Paperback)

These rare photos are amazing. Cynthia Connelly's simple high-contrast black-and-whites were ubiquitous while growing up in the DC area, and for good reason--she is an awe-inspiring artist and master of her craft. The only thing that's disappointing about this book is that it features her boyfriend Ian's record label and both of their dischord-scene friends a little TOO prominently. There were (and still are)so many other bands and people doing things in DC--NOT just Dischord--many of the other small labels, promoters, and bands who maybe weren't accepted by the 'Dischordites' are ignored and as such, dismissed here. Too bad. This is a one-sided view of a very multi-dimensional, thriving musical scene.