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We're Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
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.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2002
About the author
Exene Cervenka
17 books25 followersSinger, Writer and artist, Exene is best known as the lead vocalist of legendary LA punk band X.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 7, 2018
I picked up this book when I was 19/20 years old and fell in love with it. At 33 I still see the same beauty in it that I did then.
January 13, 2024
Chefs kiss
August 28, 2013
One of my favorite photography books EVER. The fashion, the attitude of the few years these photos were taking are absolutely amazing. I look at it at least once a week (for the past few years) to get some fashion inspiration. Also some awesome celebrities/musicians are sprinkled throughout the book. It's fun trying to spot them :)
January 28, 2008
This book is sooooo great for punk rock eye candy. It's all San Francisco and New York I believe. No words, just pictures, except for the forward, which was written by Thurston Moore. P.S. The Cramps and X are in it.
May 4, 2009
I felt like I was sucked back into the late 70s - early 80s. I just barely missed coming of age during this time period, by about five years or so. The L.A. punk look was totally different than the Brit Punk look. I'd say the L.A. look was almost New Wave.
October 18, 2009
Signed copy dedicated to me. 5 stars!
December 31, 2010
Extra points for Bryan Gregory's slime green tuxedo jacket and the giant punker (anyone know who that was?).
August 30, 2012
This book changed my life.
June 7, 2015
This is a great visual documentary of an exciting time.
April 10, 2017
Great eye candy of the Downtown scene with essays by Exene, Thurston Moore, and Marc Jacobs.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews