Tag Archives: punk

Searching for Ronald Thatcher

By Allison | January 6, 2012 - 2:32 pm | Hope 5 Comments

Back through the mists of time to Philadelphia in the early 80′s. I was living in Fishtown and I was a punk. Actually, that’s where the name Savage Pink comes from (but that’s another story). A group of us used to hang out and put on shows, and we called ourselves the Philly BYO because we were trying, with the kids from the BYO (Better Youth Organization) in California, to start a nationwide network of kids taking control of their local scene.. yes, this was the little acorns from which the mighty DIY music scene grew in America. One of my good friends used the name Ronald Thatcher to write scene reports for Maximum Rock&Roll fanzine, and I’ve been out of touch with him pretty much since leaving Philly for SF in 1983. I’m searching for him so if you know him, help us get in touch! That’s him on the left.

On the right is Robbie from the Philly band Sadistic Exploits, who I got to meet up with for the first time in nearly 30 years in NY this year when I was there with Steve Ignorant. I also got to see an old friend Kevin who I haven’t seen in as long. It was so great to see them, and I’m still mad that I didn’t get to spend more time with them (as I was working).

Anyway, help me find Ronald! Thanks.

Tagged Philadelphia, punk

Name that punk

By Allison | February 20, 2008 - 10:59 am | Envy Leave a comment

Does anyone know who she is?.jpg
Originally uploaded by thphoto1

I am really astounded by the recent contributions to the American Punk/Hardcore Archive group that I started in Flickr. I have a bunch of old photos that I wanted to show off, and I wanted to see what other people had. It’s focussed (roughly) on the period 1978-1991. These were times before digital cameras and t’internet, not like now when you go to a show and there are forty people with cameras in the front row, and five people in the wings, capturing the action with a dvc.

The stuff that I personally love the most is not the band photos, but the crowd shots, and the portraits or snapshots of the people who made the scene. Check out this shot of an unknown woman taken in Richmond Virginia in 1983/84. What a great shot! She’s got amazing style. That kind of classic US interpretation of punk – the fucked up mohawk, dog collar and funny shades. She looks tough. I would have wanted to be her friend.

The photographer, Thurston Howes, is trying to find out if anyone knows who she is. She was probably traveling with the UK Subs or the Toy Dolls. So if you know, click on the photo to go to the pool and reveal all, or contact Thurston.