The stuff of D.C. punk history becomes part of the public record

[mahatmakanejeeves]

The stuff of D.C. punk history becomes part of the public record

Mark Andersen, in the basement of his District home, is co-author of a book on D.C. punk, and has donated his archives to the D.C. Public Library. (John Kelly/The Washington Post)

Local

By John Kelly Columnist August 10 at 5:43 PM

All the stuff Mark Andersen saved — the fliers, the zines, the set lists, the photos, the audio cassettes and videotapes — he saved simply because he thought it was worth saving.

Mark said: “That’s the essence of the punk approach. If you feel like something should be done, do it.”

So he did. Mark collected and saved mounds of ephemera connected with the rise of punk rock in Washington. It helped him write “Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capital,” the 2001 book he co-authored with Mark Jenkins. Then, as he led Positive Force D.C., an activist collective closely associated with the area’s punk community, Mark created and compiled even more material.

[Ed Suspicious]

1. DC punk is my favorite punk of all time. DISCHORD!

I think Lungfish is one of the most underrated punk bands anywhere. A girlfriend of mine once said their throbbing repetitious riffs were like "orgasms for your ears."

[Dr Hobbitstein]

2. I didn't get into DC punk until more recently.

Growing up, I was more into West Coast hardcore (which is strange, because I grew up in FL, which is much closer to DC than California).

Foo Fighters' "Sonic Highways" DC episode helped to shine a much needed light on that awesome scene.

[frylock]

3. SALAD DAYS: A Decade of Punk in Washington, DC (1980-90)

http://saladdaysdc.com/