Boston Punk Rock Discussion

 A Discussion: Boston Punk Rock: Landmarks, Bands, and the Scene - Saturday, September 14, 3:00pm–4:30pm Parker Hill – Registration is required.

 

Raw and simple, punk music emerged in the 1970s in reaction to mainstream rock of the era. It was DIY - you just needed three chords, and you didn’t have to be in tune.

 

That is arguably background for Saturday’s special discussion which features A.J. Wachtel who has covered the Boston Entertainment scene as a music journalist for over 40 years. He is the host on Wachtelligence podcast, where he has interviewed such Boston music mainstays as Rick Berlin, famed of Orchestra Luna, Steve Cataldo of The Nervous Eaters, Bob Margolin of the Muddy Waters Band, and many others.

 

The event is intended as a celebration of the city's vibrant punk heritage, spotlighting influential bands, iconic venues -- Who went to The Ratskellar?! -- and the indelible impact they've made on the genre.

 

In fact, the discussion is part of the Boston Public Library’s ongoing “Revolutionary Music: Music for Social Change” Project, which covers musical innovation going back to the American Revolution, and up to the present. https://www.bpl.org/revolutionary-music/

 

The Friends of the Parker Hill Branch Library Newsletter spoke with Amy Layton, PHBL Generalist II, to get a view on the meaning of Punk music in the context of community. We asked what was the value of the Punk movement viewed from this 21st Century vantage point. She said:

 

“The first and foremost thing is that it really does connect a community together, especially from a do-it-yourself aspect. And I think, too, it would be really fun for the people who have actually been in the original scene to be able to connect with some of the youth now in the movement, so to speak, and just be able to share their experience.”

 

Notably, the Boston Punk Rock discussion kicks off a week of Punk-related specials at the Branch! Punk Rock Week events include : Drop-in Zine Making Tuesday, September 17, 4:00pm–5:00pm; Vinyl Record Painting [which now has a wait list and has full registration] and Mosh Pit Injury Prevention - Wednesday, September 18, 1:00pm–3:00pm. Call for information.

 

Til next time – Keep Reading!