BANNED IN DC BOOK SIGNING AT SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS
Last Saturday Jonny Furlong & I checked out the “Banned in DC” book signing and talk with Cynthia Connolly, an LA native who brought the visionary aesthetic and perspective that punk was in fact an art and merged it to the DC scene, where Punk music was not considered a true genre during the 80s. “What existed in LA did not exist in DC, and what DC had, LA did not,” she states during her book signing.
While I did not grow up in the punk scene per se (born in 88 holla), it was always a heavy influence in my upbringing and perception of society, commercialism, and high school conformity (AKA I wanted to burn it all down, still do but lazy). Being a cusp millenial, I refused to move with the dormant youth who assimilated to new age shit. Instead, I chose to be a loner and allow albums like “How Could Hell Be Any Worse,” or “Out of Step” influence my academia and interests. Cynthia Connolly has always been a major idol of mine in her heavy involvement with the punk scene, and her book, “Banned In DC” is a good reflection of the unified community that once existed in music, and organic communication through zines and flyers, prior to the use of social media, which we now see today are marketed for consumerism and “fashun” inspiration when no one in fact from these areas really was a part of it. This isn’t to say it applies to everyone, but I looked around the room during the book discussion and wondered, where you at now? At least do your research.
I was lucky enough to meet some folks who came in from DC, who owned the original print when the book was first released, to those who just met Cynthia at a show way back when. I personally bought mine at the book fair awhile ago, but I spilt whiskey on it the day before, and almost cried. Meeting Cynthia while she signed my damp version (yes I bought a new one), was such an experience, and proof that good true cultured folks exist in the scene. You can find her work and photography at the Getty Museum, as well as purchase a copy of her book here.
Compiled by Cynthia Connolly, Leslie Calgue, and Sharon Cheslow in additon to several photographers showcasing their work, including Lucien Perkins, I strongly recommend buying this book if you would like to see true involvement in a scene before it was “cool” to be doing it.
” I love Washington DC hardcore so I have been a fan of Cynthia Connolly’s “Banned in DC” since I bought an older edition of the book in the early 90’s. This new edition has some great additional content and I’m honored that Cynthia will do a book signing, presentation, and Q&A at Subliminal Projects. Hear the back story on one of the coolest music scenes ever from Cynthia who also did the Minor Threat “Out of Step” cover. One night only, so don’t miss it! ”
-Shepard
