1. 1. Revolution by Example Pragmatism vs. Idealism in DIY Punk
2. 2. WHICH DO YOU RECOGNIZE? Pop Quiz:
3. 3. Crass Pseudo-Anarchist Punk collective Active from 1977 to 1984 Released music, artworks, films and pamphlets Operated out of a communal home
4. 4. Dischord Records Washington DC based record label Active 1980-Present Founded by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson Roster includes: Minor Threat Fugazi S.O.A.
5. 5. WHAT IS DIY PUNK? Joe Strummer told them that if they could do better to get their own band together
6. 6. the entire field of punk can be understood as a set of problems that unfold from a single contradiction between aesthetics and economics -Stacey Thompson
7. 7. Punk is a Contradiction DIY is a Solution Participants eliminate as many economic factors as possible Allows participants to maintain ownership and control Remaining economics can become an element of the aesthetic
8. 8. Punk was about more than just starting a bandit was about taking control Mike Watt (Minutemen)
9. 9. THE APPROACHES Idealism & Pragmatism
10. 10. Crass Idealism Avoiding the Profit Motive Full-Length EP as first release Pay no more than 45p Donated almost all of their money Information Dissemination Speakers, pamphlets, etc. at shows Response to all letters Stencil Graffiti
11. 11. Crass Idealism Anarchism? No Authority But Yourself Consistently claimed they didnt wish to start a movement Started a record label that released copy-cat Anarcho- Punk
12. 12. Dial House Communal home outside of Essex Carry-over from Penny Rimbauds 60s Counterculture days Base of operations for Crass
13. 13. Dischords Pragmatism Label founded to release music for friends Minimal Overhead Small pressings, mail-order distribution No promotion No cross-marketing Only sign local DC bands
14. 14. Fugazi as the Ultimate Pragmatists No shows over $5 Local shows were always benefits Always all ages, no alcohol sales Slamdancing was out of the question No branding, no merchandise No driver, no manager, no road crew
15. 15. SUCCESS, FAILURE & LEGACY Where are they now?
16. 16. Crass Breaks Up Phil Free bought out of Crass gave him the golden handshake The British government sued Crass twice BT almost took Dial House Rimbaud rallied the community of Essex to save his home Members moved out and assimilated Steve Ignorant even has a son now
17. 17. Dischord from the 2000s onward.. Fugazi goes on indefinite hiatus (2002) MacKaye starts The Evens Still only sign DC bands Offices are still in Dischord House Releasing Fugazi shows digitally, for $5
18. 18. THE STORY COULD HAVE ENDED THERE Happily ever after.
19. 19. The Crassical Collection Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher re-mastered the Crass material for a new box set Phil Free, Joy De Vivre and Pete Wright sent a cease and desist Former anarchists sat down in legal mediation over creative, personal and political differences
20. 20. Crass aimed to promote a form of anarchy and solve social and political issues they ended up buried in multiple lawsuits, including an internal one. Dischord aimed to distribute their friends music and be an alternative to corporate rock they still sign small DC bands and distribute them worldwide.
21. 21. HTTP://BIT.LY/REVBYEX