We Were Going to Change the World

Interviews with Women from the 1970s and 1980s Southern California Punk Rock Scene

Paperback, 312 pages

English language

Published by Santa Monica Press.

ISBN:
978-1-59580-092-3
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The punk rock scene of the 1970s and ’80s in Southern California is widely acknowledged as one of the most vibrant, creative periods in all of rock and roll history. And while many books have covered the artists who contributed to the music of that era, none have exclusively focused on the vitality and influence of the women who played such a crucial role in this incredibly dynamic and instrumental movement.

We Were Going to Change the World captures the stories of women who were active in the SoCal punk rock scene during this historic time, adding an important voice to its cultural and musical record. Through exclusive interviews with musicians, journalists, photographers, and fans, Stacy Russo has captured the essence of why these women were drawn to punk rock, what they witnessed, and how their involvement in this empowering scene ended up influencing the rest of their lives.

1 edition

It matters if you were punk

Probably because of the time I was growing up (high school in late 90’s), but it always felt like we had to keep an ironic distance from the term “punk” and we felt like we couldn’t unambiguously refer to ourselves as punk. I wish that wasn’t true for us, and it’s refreshing to read about people who did embrace the scene.

This is a great volume for anyone interested in the history of punk and the possibilities of oral history.

A favorite quote: “Punk gave people permission to express themselves without necessarily having the technical ability to do it. It taught me that I don't have to wait until I'm perfect at anything to do something, whether it's creative or political or any other aspect of my life. If I see something that needs to be done, I feel empowered to do it, even if I do it in a …

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Subjects

  • Punk rock
  • Oral history