People, real people, value others not just their created documents. This is what punk rock is.

Punk Rock Historian and Professional Consultant

I am happy to see many podcasts, films and documentaries about punk rock coming out these days. Books too. It is overwhelming to me. I am approached by many due to my special experience as a punk rock journalist. Some treat me nicely and others are ruthless to get stuff from me.

Be it writing a fanzine, a book, or releasing a documentary film I have done it all myself. I have published fanzines, books, and records. I just completed two documentaries about Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine.

There is always a line to draw out of kindness.

A few years ago, I was approached by a lady who knew nothing about punk rock but wanted to do a documentary about some punk rock skate women. So, she hired a promotional person to gather information. I agreed to do a Zoom meeting with them.

I soon saw that they wanted to pick my brain. Then when I asked them questions, they got nervous. I told them that I needed to stop sharing with them.

This promotional woman was being paid good money to gather information about punk rock.

I was just brain picking leads for their needs. I call that being compromised and exploited!

I told them if they are interested in a real narrative with a person with valuable experience, they can hire me as a consultant on the film or documentary.

When they got back to me it was by a short message. They could get the information they wanted through an archive. They did not want to have a lived experienced narrative helper. They wanted cold facts and information. Good for them.

There is a difference between behind the scene work or giving an interview to be used in a film or documentary. There is a line to be drawn there too. Or maybe be a source of information for a book; as for a professor in an academic study.

I’ve been used too much. My work stolen, people coming through a backdoor to get money from my hard work, and I am lied too.

I am done.

I came up with the idea of a Punk Rock Historian and Professional Consultant for hire. I don’t help unless it is for a fee. Kinda like a private eye for hire.

It is serious business and most people are cheep. Not me, no more buddy!

From my experience one has to be savvy about these things. To the highest degree.