Customer Reviews

We're Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980

5 star:		(6)
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2 star:		(1)
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....the West Coast punk rock scenesters created a style that looks surprisingly fresh and edgy even today: pink 60s leather coats, striped tees, shredded preppy button-ups, busted jeans, high heels with anklets, asymetrical haircuts, teddy boy coats, geometric print 80s, shrunken suits w/ skinny ties, and more. This is a great book for DIY fashion ideas-- from a time when ripped tee-shirts didn't cost $75 at trendy boutiques and jeans didn't come pre-sandpapered.

When I first heard about this Book, I eagerly awaited it's arrival. An Excellent documentation of the Looks and visual attitude that was unique to the San Francisco Scene. Even though the Photos include LA, London and NYC Stars, that original San Francisco feeling still emerges overall. It cries out for more books exploring it's values different from other Punk or Rock scenes. But at least we have Jim's Excellent Documentations and memories. Hopefully More Books coming from him in the future!

This is book that is full of photos of the early punkers 1978 through 1980. The fashion and style was so inventive. These impulsive and creative styles were years ahead of the time and many of these looks are still fresh today. These styles and outfits were considered INSANE at the time. When people saw punkers walking down the street looking like this their eyes would bulge and they would say, "What the HELL?!" Cool book and incredibly cheap.

Check out my book on early 80s punk and new wave teen culture in L.A.: One Step Beyond, A Teenage Odyssey in 1980s Los Angeles. You might get a kick out of it.

One Step Beyond: A Teenage Odyssey in 1980s Los Angeles (Volume 1)

This is an absolutely brilliant book. It chronicles a time when punk was more than just some retarded fashion statement made for MTV (admittedly, MTV didn't exist...) Jim Jocoy has done his thing well, and efficiently shown the attitude of punk in the late 70's. One of the best things about this book is the fact that he didn't sift through people and pick out the ones that looked like models, or the pretty singers, he took anyone and everyone he could find that contributed to the punk rock movement. Even greater is the fact that he has pictures of bands and singers right next to the "normal" people, and to the untrained eye, nobody would know the difference. Everyone was impressive. I also loved the prose at the end by Exene Cervenka. It's very well-done and beautifully written.

This small format coffee table book is a wonderful insight into the SF (and to a lesser degree LA) punk scenes in 1978-79.
Afterword written by Exene Cervenka of 'X'. She says, "We hated poseurs but we loved to pose."

Like the actual scene in those days you can't tell who is in a band and who is a fan. Simple, mostly single portraits with some pairs and small groups of 3 or 4 are lovingly shot by Jim Jocoy, an omnipresent member of the scene.

None of the people in the pictures are identified but many are recognizable: Jello Biafra, Iggy Pop, John Waters, Sid Vicious, etc.

Disclosure: I am in here.

I bought this book because most of the photos were shot at the Mabuhay Gardens, where I worked for several years, and I am still friends with many, many people in this book. I am now 60 so it really takes me back, but some of the people in here are pushing 65 or 70. Most of the photos are of musicians that performed at the club. This was the best music scene San Francisco ever had and I cherish the memories.

Man was I ripped off! I read the reviews and found myself somehow, really really interested in this book. I purchased it and waited for it to arrive. I finally got my hands on it, boy was I sorry. I started looking and searching for all the "cool things" it was supposed to have, but man, this book just sucks.
Its cool if you want to check out the 70s 80s punk rock fashion and style this kids had. But nothing incredible. Its also very little so the pictures arent that great. Blows!