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Jim Jocoy
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We're Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980 Hardcover – November 1, 2002

by Exene Cervenka (Author), Jim Jocoy (Photographer), Marc Jacobs (Introduction),
4.8 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
1977: Punk rock music and fashion blew out of New York City, exploded in London, and caught like wildfire in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the world over. It developed concurrently everywhere, and every region had it's own identity. But it was in San Francisco and L.A. where the most radical behavior in stateside punk rock style and attitude was exhibited. It was anti-hippie, anti-disco, anti-parent and anti-"nice". And it was shockingly new. These photos are ground zero of punk rock style—delirious innovation and a snarling takeover of youth culture still resonating more than 20 years hence.
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  1. Print length
    280 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    powerHouse Books
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1576871568
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1576871560
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jim Jocoy, traveling between S.F. and L.A., shot portraits of every interesting punk rock personality who caught his eye—with each subject posed amidst the scene's ruinous and chaotic environment. Some were musicians and some were artists. All were fans and enthusiasts. And they were the original creators of what is regarded as the most potent subculture of the late 20th century. Some of the more celebrated individuals of punk legend featured in this book are Darby Crash, Iggy Pop, Lydia Lunch, Sid Vicious, John Waters, Bruce Connor and members of X, The Cramps, The Avengers, Flipper, The Screamers, The Nuns, and many others.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ powerHouse Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2002
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1576871568
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1576871560
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #2,998,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

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  1. Thurston Moore

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kurt Loeffler
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great collection of photos.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    What I like most about this product is that I'm in it, and that's why I bought it.
    Helpful
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  • Mike Pearson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos of the Early Punk Scenes in S.F. & L.A.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2010
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    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)
    7 people found this helpful
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  • StanFlouride
    5.0 out of 5 stars San Francisco punk scene at its peak
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2011
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    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.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Ruby 1948
    5.0 out of 5 stars Took Me Back to the Good Old Days
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2008
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    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.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Glenn S. Hawley
    5.0 out of 5 stars The San Francisco Punk Scene told in Photographs.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2003
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    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!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • paul j leonard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2016
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Great book
    One person found this helpful
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  • "insanecheesemonkey"
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2003
    Format: Hardcover
    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.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • JJ. Palacios
    2.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK LICKS B@llz!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2005
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    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!
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • wgarth1215
    4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD!
    Reviewed in Japan on January 30, 2015
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    とても好きな時代の好きな写真ばかりがおさめられている。値段が安いのも有り難い。
    この写真集を見ながら、古いパンクを聴くとタイムトリップできる。
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