[.ca] Legends of Punk: Photos from the Vault (ISBN 0916397866)

Just in time for your holiday punk rock needs!:
The photos in this book are fantastic and comparable to anything by Roberta Bayley or Bob Gruen. The author's reminiscences are brief and to the point, giving a synopsis of each shot. I found one error -- the band cited as D.O.A. is actually Discharge; other than that, the only possible complaint I have is that it could be lengthier and twice its size. You get great endpapers of the Misfits with Robo on drums and fans doing a pile-on, a very stoned-looking Deborah Harry, and other greats. Perfect for the punk rock coffee table. Nice work, R.E.

This book ROCKS!:
It's not just about the bands -- okay, maybe it is -- but these are totally dynamite portraits (mostly taken live at tiny clubs, some backstage) of some of my favorite bands from the punk / new wave era. Okay, so I saw the Ramones play like a dozen times between 1978 and 1984. Saw Patti Smith play at a tiny club in '78 or '79 (Radio Ethiopia tour?)... changed my life. I won't bore you with my personal history (or what I remember of it anyway.) Well, there are a few omissions (what? no Talking Heads?!?) but ya gotta love the crowd shots of the Misfits and the Dead Kennedys. And the Circle Jerks, too. Something for everyone in this collection -- put on some vinyl and turn it way up when you're looking at it.