I see how the term Punk Rock is always trying to be defined by many. Yet the real-life definition it is not an out there term to read about in academic journals because it is based on the foundation of experience. It is viewed by the action of individuals. As shown by Pudd’nhead Wilson, (1894) the novel by American writer Mark Twain; Punk Rock is as unique as a person’s fingerprints. Mark Twain is the grand Punk Rocker. Think about that.
Punk Rock is based on the foundation of experience and is unique as a person’s fingerprints. I think that is clear enough. It is not who you know, or what shows you go to, or if you wear the right clothes or sport the wildest haircuts. Maybe you are a punk rocker who likes to camp out in the wilderness. It is when your deep-down dreams affirm to you that you are a punk rocker, then you know. It does not matter what others think of you either. It is a happy curse of creativity and inward ambition.
W.P. Witcutt wrote a book on William Blake entitled Blake, A Psychological Study. He came up with a term that explains the artist and visionary William Blake but also what a punk rocker is. A punk rocker has “introverted intuition.” I believe Blake had introverted intuition. Blake took his deep-down creatively and brought it out upon the world in often wild, unique and creative ways. That is, it. Yes, I think he was a punk rocker too.
So, a beatnik identified themselves as:
Jane Doe, Beatnik, artist, writer, wife, mother.
I to can say that but in a different way.
Hudley Flipside, punk rocker, writer, artist, wife, mother.
Alison Braun is another and I would call her
Alison Braun, punk rocker, photographer, wife, mother (She may wish to add to the list).
When she took these pictures, being a female was not always the way of the land. Lots of guys in bands, as promoters and running records labels to communicate with and finding another female was not so easy. At least one who was a punk rocker living the life.
Creatively her photos show unique skills of capturing a time and place in our punk rock history (1981 to 1990). I feel this is very important for surviving punk rockers to preserve, document and tell our stories. It is a healthy natural flow of our collective unconscious experiences. To take that deep-down creatively and bring it out upon the world again is grand! I am very happy to see punk rock on an individual scale like this.
Sunday May 26 will be the time to join with punk comrades and celebrate our originators and characters of the early California punk scene. The Avengers, the Dils and the Alley Cats.
In memory of Jimmy Wilsey
I stumbled into the early punk scene. The Australian Saints and the San Franciscan Avengers gave me the courage to go and see any other alternative underground bands on my own. I found myself melting into a wild alchemy of youths that had something to say. We were finding our voices. All the unknown characters were there, nobodies creating a scene together. We were wild and knew all the songs by heart by The Dils, The Alley Cats and the Avengers.
I will be there handing out some badges joining in the event in memory of our youthful rebellion that is still the heart beat of this crazy continuity of punk rock that still drives our DNA onward,,,
The Avengers, The Dils and The Alley Cats + many special guests (A Celebration of the Life of Jimmy Wilsey) at Echoplex
March 14 Sun conjunct Mercury Retrograde at 24º Pisces……
Some may say it is not a good time to release a project like this one. Yet as a Gemini it is the right time to let this jewel plunge into the enormous global WWW. What a better way to celebrate 30 years of the WWW. Amazingly free anarchistic voices stirred around the world from the past inspiring a new generation. One can just see all the punk documentaries popping up. Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine # 54 Ten Year Anniversary Issuewas doing it as an original source of punk rock. The original punk rock HUB of the late 70s, 80s and 90s. With plenty of published issues to substantiate it. As they say… the proof is in the pudding.
My Punkalullaby tells a genuine account regarding the exploding punk culture during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. This is a story about the essence of a young woman living the life of a radical punk rocker. Most importantly it outlines the evolution of Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine. Flipside gave a voice to the punks when no one else would. Flipside supported and documented all the players. The fans, bands, promoters and artists all respected Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine.
Let me introduce myself. I co published and edited Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine from 1979 to 1989. Flipside Fanzine documented the Los Angeles underground music scene and the punk rock scene for 20 years. This was locally in Los Angeles and internationally. When I owned the publication, from 1979 to 1989, we published an issue every two months. We also sold Flipside Fanzine Vinyl Records and Live Flipside Video Tapes of current bands at the time.
I am introducing My Punkalullaby: The Seminary of Praying Mantis (Punk Fanzine Memoir Book 1) Kindle Edition. I am asking that you consider including My Punkalullaby in your reading list for your students as an insightful historic memoir addition to your curriculum.
~ Hudley Flipside
I want to recommend this product at Amazon.com
My Punkalullaby: The Seminary Of Praying Mantis (Punk Fanzine Memoir Book 1)by Amazon Digital Services LLC
Charged GBH early 1980 Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine Picture… at hotel near the pool.
This post has to do with Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine. Yawn, it has been a long time since I was co-owner and editor of this fanzine, RIP. Yet I also worked with a crew of supporters and contributors then. The last thirty years people have come out with books and documentaries about the early punk scene. That is great. They ask me if they can use stuff from Flipside. Images, videos, music and my KFJC DJ tapes. I usually say OK. Just say courtesy of Hudley Flipside. Only twice have I signed something to be used. Once in a picture, and once in documentary. The times I signed legal papers is when I had a personal connection with the creation of an item. For example, a picture I took. I did risk one or two items due to the direct connection as part of a KFJC Tape that I recorded. My creation. Otherwise I do not have the authority to sign for random things from Flipside for creative projects. I speak only for the 1980s. Maybe if Al Flipside and I and all contributors got together and had a pow-wow and decided to sign some sort of legal documents for people to use Flipside stuff that would be a very happy moment. This is not the case. The truth be told, there is a lot of Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine stuff on-line for the taking. Ripped up good. So, stop the gossiping and false assumptions out there. If you use Flipside stuff proceed at your own risk. Don’t ask little old me to sign anything… my loyalty lies with those I worked with.
My 4th favorite song is Vandals – I Want To Be A Cowboy .
As a young punk all the words were being thrown around. Anarchy, chaos, discord and mayhem. It rang around me via songs, voices and written lyrics and published fanzines. and punk friends. I never thought the ideals I supported would manifest via a gangster presidency? These words were used as ways to inspire creative freedom. This words for me meant the ability to do things on your own terms to help others not to tear them apart. To confront cruel authority, not to create a foundation for dictatorship or fascist tendencies. So much for deconstructivism if born again AA punks’ side with the enemy. It is a wake up call for us all. How to keep a conversation going is not always possible. Humor as, it was only for a fun experience, can be thrown in there. Yet I am keeping my integrity at my hip. My mind set to do it myself. As always, it may not be popular.
Today I got a nice note from Shredder who wrote for the ‘zine… so I am adding him to this ongoing article….. Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine Staph: Those who worked on Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine 1979 to 1989.
Thankx for the nice words to me… we had fun!!
Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine # 31 top jimmy & rhythm pigs interviewed by SHREDDER… just a sample…
Sig Stench The Hell Doc has been raising the punk dead for 8 years. What a strange necromancy it has been. He really did catch the nostalgia of the original punk scene. It started for me around 2004. I felt it in my bones and punk rock soul. Many clubs and people felt it too I assume. This a major span of about ten years. That did get the punk dead up and moving. The first show that got it going for me was the Mau Maus playing the Redwood with opening band A Pretty Mess. All ages of punks came together 70s, 80s, 90s punks. It was a tight bunch. I was hanging with Joe singer of Jughead’s Revenge that night. Tequila Mockingbird was there before her Punk Museum started up. Bob Canto 90s Flipside shit worker was there. In time we went to the Redwood I saw Diana Cancer before the reforming of 45 Grave, I saw Steve Human hanging outside staying away from the alcohol and Cake Flipside 90s staff too. It was the first time I felt the punk revival happen.
Mike Atta (RIP) Middle Class
Before this was Mr. T’s in Highland Park. (Now a hip bowling, food bar) So many bands came through the club. We started seeing bands there around 2006 to 2008 more or less. Seedy and a fun place to be. I hugged the toilet there. Our 16-year-old was old enough to babysit our little one. So, mama and papa had some fun on the weekends. It saved our marriage in many ways. Infusing our life with old and new friends. We saw the Urinals and Mike Watt play there. Master Cylinder and Carnage Asada too.
We were tight with the band The Million Kids and I went on to do Flipside Fanzine 2010 with Billy and Joe for a few issues before they moved onto Spark Plug fanzine. Yet it really hit me hard when I was at Kaiser Permeate in the San Fernando Valley. Walking by me I saw a mid-aged guy with a GBH shirt. I said to him, “I know those guys, Jock. Colin and Ross.” (at the time I had not met the new drummer Scott)
Bass player of Love Canal, Bob Gnarly punk rock history galore..
He said, “Great they are playing Ventura Theater this month.” A spark of tenacity filled me. I looked up GBH and found Colin Abrahll’s email. Their second tour in some time. My oldest son and I saw them. That was another turning point for me. My spine found joy and friendship in that old sound of bass and guitar and beyond.
Then there was locally in the San Fernando Valley, where I live. Cobalt Cafe, The Scotland Yard and Weber’s had all sort of bands come through in 10-year time. The Krum Bums, The Weirdos, Symbol Six. Also, at Weber’s I got to see a sacred evening with the Adolescents and the Middle Class. My old-time punk buds from the original Los Angeles punk scene.
Martin Atkins Punk Museum Event
While all this was happening around 2010 I met Stig Stench of Stench Radio . He interviewed me on his show and I did and an interview with him for the 2010 Flipside. It was fun. All those good old feeling game back of belonging to the punk scene. I think we all jumped into it all too fast and all at once. Some got splashed on and others got quick sand. It was a bit of a nightmare at times.
The Weirdos at the Cobalt Cafe… the mighty Dix Denney
At around this time, I lost both of my parents and went through menopause. I would ride around in my dark blue Chrysler M playing my car radio “Mike Conley” loud, smoking too many cigarettes and acting like a spoiled teenage child. Yes, my kids would hide my cigarettes from me. I got some stupid tattoos as well.
Since then the festivals have taken over and the local clubs closed or are further away. I don’t like driving or do not feel the need to make the long drives. The Cobalt closed, The Scotland Yard has a new owner (I am grieving the loss right now) and Weber’s was demolished due to asshole mosh punk pricks. (Like the Canoga Park Punk Rock Swap Meet Scene. They say it’s for charity. . what a line of bull)
The ascending bell curve of punk nostalgia was a fun ride and celebrating that is Hell Doc, my pet name for Stig! Never jumping off the nostalgia ride means a hell of a lot to me. He has tenacity and my friendship. We wrestled a few times too.
Lots of original punk bands have been playing the last ten years. Decry, Love Canal, Doggy Style, and many to the 10th degree more. Old friends that I still chat with now and then. Some of us are are not talking.
Opening night at The Punk Museum…
I guess over the last ten years there is a singular motif that many new and old friends tell me. Guys that are anywhere from 30 to 50 years old. They say this…
“When I was a young kid, I was all alone and the only thing I had was Flipside. I made connections with other punks and bands.” Or “You published my first record review, or I wrote my first this or that in Flipside!”
DJ Joe D at the ‘Yard
I am happy because that is what the scene was all about then. We got to face it now that the punk scene has made changes with modern times like technology. . What matters most to me is the 10 % punk rock experience. Also the friends made in the scene. One of my long-time friends Steve Hart from the (Order of the) White Rose punk band said he met band members though the classified section of Flipside. He invited me to write some stuff for his current publication New Wave Chicken. A long time friendship and it has only been through correspondence.
Jordan Schwartz having Fun at the Punk Museum
Any way a lot of good things happened along the path of the last ten years. Stig Stench is one of them. He can tell you all the punkers he has interviewed on his radio show and all the bands he does support and helped out. And that is what punk is all about also. Making friends, listening to music, and giving a voice to the voiceless. And to all the new punk bands … it is so groovy.
Fun times at the Scotland Yard with Dancing John and the Tender of the Brew.. Mr Funk
Hey, the punk scene gave me a voice and something I bet you wished I would shut the funk up about. I love you all.
– fin-
Us Against the World
If you’re hungry for nostalgia
Make sure it’s your own
Seeking inspiration
origin unknown
You’re happy stealing thunder
When metal starts to rust
Memories still linger
Monochrome and dust.
Year zero has returned last
Respect is to be earned / The lesion
To be learned
It’s us against the world.
The years are mounting up now
For them plagiarists
It’s really makes you wonder
Why they still exist
Not sold like a good thing
We were built to last
Take the easy option
Reinvent your past.
Just a bad facsimile
Without the vital spark
Running with the big dogs
But you ain't got the bark
Far beyond a tribute
You wanna take the credit
If I got to explain it
You ain’t never gonna get it.
It was the year 2038, The old purple haired broad walked slowly down the street. On a big monitor above her she saw that old Flipside Logo. Now part of an advertisement campaign for public office. Those people running for office with pig hearts. And she thought it was weirder when she heard the Ramones’ song as part of a bike exercise commercial back in 2018.
After about 14 years over reflecting, reliving, and watching all the Flipside stuff I help produce become dissected, rearranged bought and sold and resold I can now let it all go. T-shirt logos and documentaries too. I came out with my own D.I.Y. publications to tell my story. It has been out for over a year or two.
Yes, I have been asked to tell my story in other people’s books. Some I did because I felt the need to save the memory of Flipside. Not anymore. I let it go. This is a reality that I had to face and it was not easy letting go of the need to protect Los AngelesFlipside Fanzine.
“It may be bad, but it feels good”
I hope others that were part of Flipside tell their own stories in their own way. Who knows we could put together a blog or book that includes our individual stories as writers, shit workers, photographers, people who caused considerable trouble etc. That would be fun.
One thing that shines through as a truth that Al and I believed in…. “You don’t have to ask permission.” If you want to do it just do it. “
So, letting it go means just that. You don’t have to ask me if you want to use this or that from Flipside’s vast products in anything you are doing. Just do it. I will not be part of that anymore. It is not my responsibility.
Yet, I do have my projects if you need to see what it was like for me as a Flipside punk person. A simple story that I did in my little bedroom converted into an office. Where I do my art, poetry and writing of all kinds, so be it. It took me 2004 to 2017 to finish the Punk@lullaby project. Just like condensed soup but a condensed punk rock story.
To all my old & new friends of the Big Punk Rock @ beyond.
Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences. (Roy Ascott’s phrase.) That solves a lot of problems: we don’t have to argue whether photographs are art, or whether performances are art, or whether Carl Andre’s bricks or Andrew Serranos’s piss or Little Richard’s ‘Long Tall Sally’ are art, because we say, ‘Art is something that happens, a process, not a quality, and all sorts of things can make it happen.’ … [W]hat makes a work of art ‘good’ for you is not something that is already ‘inside’ it, but something that happens inside you — so the value of the work lies in the degree to which it can help you have the kind of experience that you call art.
~ Brian Eno
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Agathos Daimon, the Good or Rich Spirit”.[7][8] His numinous presence could be represented in art as a serpent or more concretely as a young man bearing a cornucopia and a bowl in one hand, and a poppy and an ear of grain in the other.[7] The agathodaemon was later adapted into a general daemon of fortuna, particularly of the continued abundance of a family’s good food and drink.[citation needed]
“Scientists know that electromagnetic waves carry information. Radio waves are a common example of how information is sent out via electromagnetic waves. The waves that your heart and brain generate carry information that is sent through your body and out into the space around you, just like a radio transmitter. Yet the heart’s signals have much more power.” – The HeartMath Story, as Told by Founder Doc Childre
I’ve heard it said that the soul doesn’t live inside our body but that it is more like a womb in which we are contained.
Turner, Toko-pa. Belonging: Remembering Ourselves home (Kindle Locations 2739-2740). Her Own Room Press. Kindle Edition.
“This disco guy wanted funk in our sound with 10,000 backing vocals, the guy laughed at Tony when he tried to sing, they treated us like shit. Casey wanted to hit that engineer dick…Posh Boy told us not to play games with him, he’d play games with us. That engineer was a real dick.”
~ Steve Soto ADOLESCENTS
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In our over psychological culture, psychological testing substitutes for this seasoned eye and prevents its development. Instead of looking, we test; instead of imaginative insight, we read write-ups; instead of interviews, inventories; instead of stories, scores. Psychology assumes it can get at character by probing motivations, reaction responses, choices, and projections. It uses concepts and numbers to access the soul, rather than relying on the anomalous eye of a practiced observer.
Hillman, James. The Force of Character: And the Lasting Life (Kindle Locations 844-847). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
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It is the prime task of a truly modern mind to endure both the spiritual and the practical as the framework for her life.
Mysterious in day’s broad light,
Nature retains her veil, despite our imprecations,
and what she won’t reveal to human mind or sight
levers, screws or hammers
cannot wrench from her. ~ Goethe
Faust part 1
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Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.
~Truman Capote
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“And just as the soul that is inside your dust.”
~ Pg 8 The Divine Comedy ~ Dante
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“I always liked the intensity of the recording.”
~ Chris Bailey from the band The Saints
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“Sometimes people try and tell me what is and isn’t punk, or that GBH do or don’t fit in, but they’re generally no older than my socks, and they know about as much. I’ve lived my life doing what I want the way I want to ever since I got expelled from school. Ever since 1977….That’s punk rock”
~ Ross Lomas: From his Book City Baby.
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“As I was walking among the fires of Hell,
delighted with the enjoyments of Genius;
which to Angels look like torment and insanity.
I collected some of their Proverbs. ”
~ William Blake, “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”, 1790
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Please if you take anything from this site please tag hudleyflipside.com as the source of this material. NOTICE this is all copyright material Hudley Flipside (aka Hud) and Hudley Mantis…. most importantly ‘Hudley’ is the pen name and pseudonym created by (me) Holly Duval Cornell.
