Spoke: images and stories from the 1980s Washington, DC punk scene

An oral and photographic history of the Washington, DC punk rock scene, including Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Fugazi, and more.
“The pictures, which include some posed portraits but are mostly concert shots, are the chief attraction. They freeze moments of adolescent release, vein-bulging intensity and sweaty communion that fuses performer and audience . . . Vivid and evocative.” ―Washington Post
“A forthright testament to a kaleidoscopic community. This is a rounded collection, with surprises on every page . . . It’s a collection that rocks.” ―Shelf Awareness for Readers
The Washington, DC punk music scene of the 1980s gave birth to influential bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Fugazi. Here that era is portrayed in its purest form: an oral history by the creators themselves, including nearly two hundred photographs capturing the power and spirit of this politically progressive corner of American underground music. This stunning and intimate collection features rare images from Jim Saah, Cynthia Connolly, Bert Queiroz, and many others who documented this vibrant community. Compiled by Scott Crawford―whose critically acclaimed film Salad Days provided an unprecedented exploration into the 1980s DC punk scene―Spoke delves deeper into one of the most dynamic movements in US music history.
Featuring: BAD BRAINS, THE TEEN IDLES, BLACK MARKET BABY, SOA, MINOR THREAT, GOVERNMENT ISSUE, VOID, IRON CROSS, THE FAITH, SCREAM, MARGINAL MAN, GRAY MATTER, BEEFEATER, KING FACE, RITES OF SPRING, DAG NASTY, EMBRACE, SOULSIDE, FIRE PARTY, SHUDDER TO THINK, IGNITION, FUGAZI, SWIZ, THE NATION OF ULYSSES, and JAWBOX.