About

I have collected nearly 30 hours of recorded interviews, video, and photographs documenting a wide range of historically significant artists from bands such as Agent Orange, The Misifts, ANTiSEEN, Ministry, Johnny Puke, Steve Albini, the Independents The Swingin Utters and The Ataris. As well as more underground artists like Brainstorm, Rubrics, When It Hits, Don't Panic, Biggy Stardust and His Wretched Hive, Juice HeaD, Big Awesome, Sister Fister, and many, many more. What makes this project unique is its inclusion of the points of view from fans as well. With Half Closed Eyes highlights as many different political opinions as possible in order to give the reader a well rounded sense of what punk culture is today.

I am asking for help from my friends and my community to continue this research. Specifically I require funding to travel to different cities to interview more subjects and funding to transcribe these interviews, edit the book's material, and then self publish a round of first editions.

In the 1970s punk artists like the MC5, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Dead Kennedys made the earliest connections between politics and punk culture. Since then thousands of artists have formed their own understanding of politics through punk, creating challenging works of artistic expression. The book With Half Closed Eyes explores the 35 year long influence of politics on punk culture with interviews and stories from artists, musicians, and fans.

The book's material blends the academic with the artistic by explaining many concepts of how one's political thought is formed in simple terms with examples from well know song lyrics and punk movies. As an educator and researcher in the field of political science my own understanding of politics was directly influenced by early exposure to punk rock. It is in this spirit that this book was created.

I feel certain that everyone involved in this project will truly enjoy being part of something unique. I know it has certainly been exciting meeting different people to talk about our shared passions for the music and delving deeper into how they form their opinions. I certainly appreciate the opportunity to bring you, the supporter, along on this journey with me. I thank you in advance for your help with this project and look forward to day the work is published so we can all enjoy it.

-Lane Lovegrove