Global Punk examines the global phenomenon of DIY (do-it-yourself) punk, arguing that it provides a powerful tool for political resistance and personal self-empowerment. Drawing examples from across the evolution of punk – from the streets of 1976 London to the alleys of contemporary Jakarta – Global Punk is both historically rich and global in scope. Looking beyond the music to explore DIY punk as a lived experience, Global Punk examines the ways in which punk contributes to the process of disalienation and political engagement. The book critically examines the impact that DIY punk has had on both individuals and communities, and offers chapter-length investigations of two important aspects of DIY punk culture: independent record labels and self-published zines. Grounded in scholarly theories, but written in a highly accessible style, Global Punk shows why DIY punk remains a vital cultural form for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe today.
Kevin Dunn is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. He is author of several books, including Imagining the Congo (2003), The Politics of Origin in Africa (2013) and Inside African Politics (2013). He is also a regular contributor to Razorcake and Maximumrocknroll magazines.
AcknowledgmentsProloguePunk Won: A Conversation with Ian MacKaye1. Punk Matters:DIY punk and the politics of resistance2. You’re Not Punk and I’m Telling Everyone: Oppositional identities and disalienation3. Fuck Your Scene, Kid: The power of local scenes4. Punk Goes the World:Global networks, counter-hegemony and the contradictions of globalization 5. If It Ain’t Cheap, It Ain’t Punk:Punk record labels and DIY as a (anti-)business model6. Satan Wears a Bra while Sniffin’ Glue and eating Razorcake:Punk zines and the politics of DIY self-publishing7. Total Resistance to the Fucking System:Anarcho-punk and resistance in everyday lifePostscriptPunk Rock Won’t Change the World, It Already HasNotesReferencesIndex
Global Punk is filled with people I know, contemporary punk bands I like (or at least have heard of), and theoretic models I respect. It feels intimate. I believe that anyone actively involved in DIY punk rock will experience this intimacy…it will be the book I buy for friends, and revisit for years to come. Highly recommended.