The history of Arizona Punk
I’ve linked to my buddy Will’s blog, Anti-Snob, frequently. This is because Will is not only genuinely enthusiastic about the music he discusses, he’s also incredibly knowledgeable in the fields he writes in. On the other hand, as you can tell from my writings, I’m something of a jack of all trades when it comes to music. I tend to cross styles and genres as casually as crossing the street. To put it another way – If I’m a general practitioner, Will is a Thoracic Surgeon. There’s a focus to what he does that I often envy.
Take, for example, his most recent undertaking – the history of Arizona punk. He’s taken a fragmented and infrequently documented history and has managed to create a reasonably clear window into an often ignored period. Now admittedly, the history of Arizona punk was never a high priority investigation for me. At least in part because I simply don’t have the background or foundational knowledge to know where to start. Part of what makes Will’s examination an interesting read is how obviously captivated he is with the subject matter. His personal humility aside, I can’t think of anyone better qualified to take on the task.
With that in mind, even if it’s not a subject you’ve ever found yourself particularly interested in, do check out Will’s post on Arizona’s punk history. It’s a fascinating read, and an often overlooked chapter in punk’s history.
On Antisnob – Because I Wasn’t There
*Not a Phoenix punk band, though sometimes misidentified as such
