We’re Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
Interview by Thurston Moore. Essay by Exene. Introduction by Marc Jacobs. 1977: Punk rock music and fashion blew out of New York City, exploded in London, and caught like wildfire in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the world over. It developed concurrently everywhere, and every region had it’s own identity. But it was in San Francisco and L.A. where the most radical behavior in stateside punk rockk style and attitude was exhibited. It was anti-hippie, anti-disco, anti-parent and anti-”nice”
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(out of 6 reviews)
List Price: $ 29.95
Price: $ 14.99
Review by Zoe Bower for We’re Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
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….the West Coast punk rock scenesters created a style that looks surprisingly fresh and edgy even today: pink 60s leather coats, striped tees, shredded preppy button-ups, busted jeans, high heels with anklets, asymetrical haircuts, teddy boy coats, geometric print 80s, shrunken suits w/ skinny ties, and more. This is a great book for DIY fashion ideas– from a time when ripped tee-shirts didn’t cost $75 at trendy boutiques and jeans didn’t come pre-sandpapered.
Review by Glenn S. Hawley for We’re Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
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When I first heard about this Book, I eagerly awaited it’s arrival. An Excellent documentation of the Looks and visual attitude that was unique to the San Francisco Scene. Even though the Photos include LA, London and NYC Stars, that original San Francisco feeling still emerges overall. It cries out for more books exploring it’s values different from other Punk or Rock scenes. But at least we have Jim’s Excellent Documentations and memories. Hopefully More Books coming from him in the future!
Review by Mike Pearson for We’re Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
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This is book that is full of photos of the early punkers 1978 through 1980. The fashion and style was so inventive. These impulsive and creative styles were years ahead of the time and many of these looks are still fresh today. These styles and outfits were considered INSANE at the time. When people saw punkers walking down the street looking like this their eyes would bulge and they would say, “What the HELL?!” Cool book and incredibly cheap.
Check out my book on early 80s punk and new wave teen culture in L.A.: One Step Beyond, A Teenage Odyssey in 1980s Los Angeles. You might get a kick out of it.
One Step Beyond: A Teenage Odyssey in 1980s Los Angeles (Volume 1)
Review by for We’re Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
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This is an absolutely brilliant book. It chronicles a time when punk was more than just some retarded fashion statement made for MTV (admittedly, MTV didn’t exist…) Jim Jocoy has done his thing well, and efficiently shown the attitude of punk in the late 70’s. One of the best things about this book is the fact that he didn’t sift through people and pick out the ones that looked like models, or the pretty singers, he took anyone and everyone he could find that contributed to the punk rock movement. Even greater is the fact that he has pictures of bands and singers right next to the “normal” people, and to the untrained eye, nobody would know the difference. Everyone was impressive. I also loved the prose at the end by Exene Cervenka. It’s very well-done and beautifully written.
Review by Karen Blackstock for We’re Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980
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I bought this book because most of the photos were shot at the Mabuhay Gardens, where I worked for several years, and I am still friends with many, many people in this book. I am now 60 so it really takes me back, but some of the people in here are pushing 65 or 70. Most of the photos are of musicians that performed at the club. This was the best music scene San Francisco ever had and I cherish the memories.