Confessions of a Chicago Punk Bystander

A gritty insight into the city, clubs and lifestyle of the early Chicago Punk scene of the late 1970s and '80s. This narrative follows the author's introduction to punk rock via the notorious Chicago night clubs -- O'Banion's and OZ. The hedonism of the lifestyle and her harrowing exploits stand in stunning contrast to her accidental role as the primary caregiver for her mother, who was disabled by Multiple Sclerosis. Story recounts the rise of the teenage hardcore scene over the bar based punk scene, to the later decline that began with the emergence of a skinhead jock era, along with the author's personal evolution as a photographer and zine producer. In 2006, she discovered a thriving underground scene in the Pilsen/La Villita neighborhoods. Today she is happy to declare that punk is not dead, and neither is she. Includes the author's photographs of the 1980s and 2006 bands, the crowds, her BS Detector fanzine, and other memorabilia. A visual delight that truly paints a picture of the era!