Forming: The Early Days of L.A. Punk

Forming: The Early Days of L.A. Punk brings to life the unprecedented musical and artistic energy of the Los Angeles punk scene from 1976 to 1982. Fueled by ambivalence to the prevailing cultural climate epitomized by the rise of Ronald Reagan, musicians, artists, writers, photographers, and a diverse audience joined together to produce a flourishing punk community. Originally compiled as the catalog to an eponymous exhibit at Track 16 Gallery, this book includes many images by photographers of the scene, as well as reproductions of flyers, magazines, 45s, albums, posters, and other ephemera. Documenting the edgy angst of the local performance art scene are photographs of Johanna Went, the Kipper Kids, and a legendary 1978 performance by Viennese Actionist Herman Nitsch. Also included are texts by Slash magazine editor Claude Bessy; a conversation with Exene Cervenka and John Doe of the band X; and a timeline that juxtaposes the highlights of punk with the low points of popular culture and news of the day. Designed by Steve Samiof, the original publisher and designer of Slash magazine.