PUSHED

 

First and foremost, gotta say, I'm a huge fan of Steve & Amy at DiWulf Publishing House! So honored to get review requests from them and a pleasure to communicate with...good folks in a world that is chalk full of bad ones (imho). This here is from their website and reminds me that big things come in little packages...

"DiWulf specializes in publishing non-fiction books dedicated to the preservation and celebration of subculture, mostly through underground music and art scenes. We are a small company and we are dedicated to publishing beautiful, limited edition books that sometimes cost a lot. We aim to make books that are different from the standard fare; we do limited print runs of material that we are passionate about and we put all of our resources into making books that make a statement. We are not Amazon, we don't have the reach or the pull to cater to large market demands. What we do have is a dedication to celebrating and preserving subcultural movements and a desire to present the world with rare books that represent everything we are passionate about. We make the kind of books we would like to read and love to own."

Anyway...their latest "celebration of subculture" comes at you with a loud slam (a big fucking book being slammed on a table and someone telling you, "check THIS out")...the amazingly on point photography of Brian D. Garrity. If his picture of the Lunachicks (above) doesn't absolutely inspire you to go to a club and catch a live act, then I don't know what to say. Dude has seriously put in his time and seen some shit, when it comes to an underground scene and fortunately, for us, has brilliantly captured it. You feel like you're right there at the club, one of many, there to hang out and check out some live music. Plus, being a photographer has it perks, because sometimes you are allowed into an inner circle or get a view of a side most fans don't get to see....Brian has a keen eye and immense talent for capturing those moments as well (see photo below...if I'm not mistaken, Mercedes, of the band Kittie).

Page after page of great pics and like the goddamned individuals that we're supposed to be, no two are alike. I was left saying to myself, as I scrolled through my pre-release digital copy, "saw them, they were rad...really wished I'd seen them...wow, they look interesting, never heard 'em, might have to change that." Some of the more personal pics, left me thinking that I too would like to sit down with that person or those people and perhaps bend their ear. Sparklehorse (below) would definitely be a good starting place.  

A question for you and Amy (of DiWulf Publishing House)...

How did you run across Brian and his amazing work? After checking out the book several times now, I know that you two must have been on a "mission from God (Blues Brothers reference)" to get these out there....and thank you for doing so?

From Amy: He (Brian Garrity) was referred to DiWulf by Peter Davis of Your Flesh fame.  After seeing an early version of the book - we couldn't say no! 

Steve: Amy put this one together with NO help from me. She told me about the project and once I saw the layout and the photos Brian had, I was all in. 

Howdy Brian and thanx, in advance for agreeing to answer a few questions (feel free to ignore or elaborate as you see fit with these) and they are in no particularly meaningful order...

When was that moment that you decided, THIS is what I'm going to do and how would you describe what THIS is?  (I see you as a hands-on historian, you were there man)

I don't believe that there was any moment that I made any kind of decision to shoot bands. It basically spontaneously evolved from being exposed to the overwhelming talent that surrounded me at that time.

Was there ever a circumstance when you thought, I don't want to do this anymore...if so please elaborate and if not, why?

About 2006, I'd become seduced by a corporate paycheck, and basically retired from documenting the music scene then, though I did continue to play in bands briefly afterward.

Have you ever had someone or a band ask to not be photographed...and if so what was their rationale?

Only time I can recall was at Edgefest '99, when 'Hole' restricted the media participants during their performance.

I personally grew up in the 80s LA scene which could sometimes get out of hand, so to speak, any memorable moments like that for you?

Most definitely. More times than I can mention, much less, recall.

You seem like a very down to earth person, is that the way you might describe yourself?

Let's just say my motto is; if you ain't pissed off, you ain't paying attention.

I plan on posting the book cover itself along with three of my faves (based on personal taste and familiarity)...do you have that one photo that really means the most to you (your Michelangelo, your Starry Night, etc)?

Always liked the way the 'Alternative Press Magazine' cover of Tim Armstrong of Rancid turned out. Also, maybe the snarling close-up of Rollins.

Was there one in particular that gave you the most street cred as an artist (ala Edward Culver's pic of the guy doing a flip off the PAs into the audience)...the most accolades?

Doubtful. Think it was more the sheer numbers of shots I was turning out.

 

Please describe that one show that you would put at the top of the heap of shows that you've attended.

'My Bloody Valentine's earsplitting performance at First Avenue, 1991. Though, to be fair, I was on psilocybin.

I was stoked to see some of my favorite bands and the ones I hadn't heard of, I'm now interested in exploring further...got an obscure band or two you might say, scream to be heard?

Babe the Blue Ox', 'Lunachicks', and 'Sparkleborse', are criminally underrated.

Thank you Brian (and Steve & Amy) for sharing this wonderful project. As usual ole Mostaza is a day late and a dollar short...the official release date was yesterday, September 4th. Well worth a peek y'all...