Collection Guide
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Finding Aid to the San Francisco Punk Collection
1973-2011SFH
675
SFH 675
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Title: San Francisco Punk Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 675
Physical Description:
3 cartons, 1 oversized flat box, one map folder, 12 letter-sized
folders (Photo room)
(5 Cubic Feet)
Date (inclusive): 1973-2011
Date (bulk): (1977-1986)
Abstract: This collection contains material
documenting punk music and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area through zines, fliers,
photographs, and other ephemera with the bulk of material dating from the late 1970s to
mid-1980s. This is a growing collection comprised of small donations to the San Francisco
Punk Archive.
Physical Location: The collection is stored on
site.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with
photographs available during Photo Desk hours.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in
writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San
Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item], San Francisco Punk Collection (SFH 666), San Francisco History
Center, San Francisco Public Library.
This growing collection is made up of small donations. Donors include Alastair Johnston,
Irene Dogmatic, Mindaugis Bagdon, Jean Caffeine, Jeff Maser, Irene Barnard, Jeff Marmazs,
David Bach, Michael Capaldo, Dave Davis, Damon Votour, Kevin McKereghan, John Woodbridge,
Paul Cartier, Tim (Chi Chi Dumpster) Marshall, Roger Carrington, Charlie Hagan, Elliott
(Erik) Forsman, Emi Takahara, and Cindy Hanrahan.
Researchers are encouraged to see also:
Little Maga/Zine Collection,
Cecilia Kuhn
Frightwig Collection (SFH 668),
Savoy Tivoli
scrapbook (SFH 664),
Penelope Houston /
Avengers Collection (SFH 671),
and the
Debbie Dub Collection (SFH
672).
During processing, the collection was foldered and housed in acid-free folders and boxes.
Some metal staples remain.
Some zines and magazines have been cataloged and can be found in the
San Francisco Public Library catalog. Titles include Maximum RocknRoll, Search
& Destroy, Punk Globe, and Twisted Image.
San Francisco's punk scene emerged in 1977, influenced by the punk movements in New York
and the UK, and bands like the Ramones and the Flamin' Groovies. It also reflected the
social and political unrest and the experimental art scenes of the city. Magazines and zines
such as Search & Destroy, Punk Globe, Cometbus, and Absolutely Zippo, and photographers
like Ruby Ray and James Stark documented the scene. The punk scene in the Bay Area was
diverse and vibrant. Bands such as the Sleepers, Crime, Avengers, Romeo Void, Dead Kennedys,
Minimal Man, Tuxedo Moon, and Flipper played at venues like Mabuhay Gardens, Deaf Club,
Sound of Music, On Broadway, and The Farm.
This collection documents punk music and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area, but also
includes Los Angeles, New York, and other locations. Materials date from 1973-2011, with the
bulk from 1977-mid-1980s. The collection includes show fliers, ephemera, zines and
periodicals, photographs, and other ephemera such as buttons, and original paste-ups. Genres
of music represented are largely punk, new wave, hardcore, and post-punk, but also include
are metal, glam, reggae, and ska. In addition to the hundreds of show fliers in this
collection, of note are black & white photographs by Mindaugis Bagdon
(Louder faster shorter)
of Snuky Tate, V. Vale, and others circa 1978, and a complete run of the Ivey music
calendar (1978-1980).
The collection is arranged in 3 series: Series 1: Fliers and ephemera, Series 2: Zines and
periodicals, and Series 3: Photographs.
Series 1: Fliers and ephemera is arranged by name of donor and further arranged by type and
date. Series 2: Zines and periodicals is arranged in alphabetical order by title. Series 3:
Photographs is arranged name of donor and further arranged by format and date.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Punk culture -- California -- San
Francisco.
Punk rock music.
Punk rock musicians -- California -- San Francisco --
Interviews
Women punk rock musicians.
Post-punk music. -- California -- San
Francisco.
Fliers (Ephemera)
Zines.