John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
Archivist, musician, curator, writer, DJ on WOWD
My book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C.", is out now:
https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Your-Ear-to-the-Ground
Economics
23%
Art
15%
I'll be talking about "Keep Your Ear to the Ground" with the great Emily Flake (who wrote the foreword) this Friday Nov 14 at Books Are Magic's Smith Street location in Brooklyn at 7pm.
RSVP here!:
www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-j...
#DCpunk #Booksky #BooksAreMagic
RSVP here!:
www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-j...
#DCpunk #Booksky #BooksAreMagic
Persistent Vision: The DC Punk Collections at UMD
an in depth exploration of the D.C. punk collections at the University of Maryland (UMD)
exhibitions.lib.umd.edu
For D.C. punk fanzine archives in person, visit us at the University of Maryland or see our friends at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social for their great D.C. punk archive.
Online, at UMD, we have an exhibit of our digitized DC punk materials, including many zines: exhibitions.lib.umd.edu/dc-punk
Online, at UMD, we have an exhibit of our digitized DC punk materials, including many zines: exhibitions.lib.umd.edu/dc-punk
Ah, good question! Favorite zines = Vintage Violence or Infiltrator (both from the late 70s), Truly Needy or Thrillseeker (early to mid 80s), Turn Around or Greed (mid to late 80s), Fake, Who Cares, Uno Mas, or Teenage Gang Debs from the early 90s ... ok, sorry, it's too hard to narrow it down!
The latest episode of This Year's Model -- my radio show on WOWD/Takoma Radio -- is up now. This one covers music from 1976, like the Damned, the Slickee Boys, Stevie Wonder, Bohannon, Mort Garson, Selda Bagcan, the Saints, AC/DC, Max Romeo, Crime, and lots more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
Yes, I'll definitely ask. I've seen these types of events posted by the bookstore online, so hopefully they'll do the same with this one?
This Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm, I'll be at the Connecticut Ave location of @politicsprose.bsky.social in DC talking with Ian MacKaye about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC."
politics-prose.com/john-davis-1...
#DCpunk #Booksky #PunkFanzines
politics-prose.com/john-davis-1...
#DCpunk #Booksky #PunkFanzines
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Oct 14
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, is up now! This one focuses on 2012, which means we'll hear Jessica Pratt, Terry Malts, Beach House, Royal Headache, Andy Shauf, Tanlines, Poolside, @bobmouldmusic.bsky.social, Jaill, Alpine, Neil Young & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Oct 14
John Davis — Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC - with Ian MacKaye — at Conn Ave
politics-prose.com
I'll be talking about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington DC" at @politicsprose.bsky.social's Connecticut Ave. location in DC on Wednesday 10/29 at 7pm with Ian MacKaye.
Reposted by John Davis
The long gone 7th & e nw DC space is part of a diy venues exhibit @ MLK library in Washington DC
Now Available
In Keep Your Ear to the Ground, University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John Davis documents the history of fanzines as they evolved alongside Washington, DC’s punk music scene.
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
In Keep Your Ear to the Ground, University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John Davis documents the history of fanzines as they evolved alongside Washington, DC’s punk music scene.
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
Huge thanks to Georgetown University Press for making my book a reality. It all started at the @dchistorycenter.bsky.social conference in 2017 and now, following a very long path, is available today.
Reposted by John Davis
Now Available
In Keep Your Ear to the Ground, University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John Davis documents the history of fanzines as they evolved alongside Washington, DC’s punk music scene.
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
In Keep Your Ear to the Ground, University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John Davis documents the history of fanzines as they evolved alongside Washington, DC’s punk music scene.
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
Out now via @georgetownup.bsky.social -- "Keep Your Ear to the Ground:" A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC" documents one of the most important parts of a punk scene's ecosystem -- the fanzine creators. Should be available anywhere you find new books!
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
Reposted by John Davis
Tamara Keith
@tamarakeithnpr.bsky.social
· Sep 30
Very excited to get my friend John Davis’s new book in the mail. As someone who was also introduced to punk rock through mix tapes in the 90s, this is a fun read.
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 30
I'll be back on WOWD/Takoma Radio tomorrow night (Wed Oct 1) for another episode of This Year's Model. We'll focus on 2012, with music from @beachhouseband.bsky.social , Jessica Pratt, Redd Kross, Royal Headache, the Soft Pack, Tanlines, Cloud Nothings, Jaill, Terry Malts, & more. Any requests?
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 22
36 years ago today - Fugazi, Shudder to Think, and Jawbox concert flier, Pierce Hall, Washington, D.C., September 22, 1989. From the Sharon Cheslow Punk Flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Fugazi #ShudderToThink #Jawbox @dischord.com #PositiveForceDC
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 21
28 years ago today - The Most Secret Method, The Dusters, The Better Automatic concert flier, Resin House, Rockville, Maryland, September 21, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at UMD. #DCpunk #MostSecretMethod #TheBetterAutomatic #HouseShows #PunkFlyers #DischordRecords #PunkRock
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 21
The new episode of my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model, is up now! This one focuses on 1968, so we'll hear Shocking Blue, the Byrds, Sharon Tandy, the Beatles, Basil Daley, Sam & Dave, Cherry People, Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, Norma Jean, Delfonics, & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 19
The Elusive (John Davis)
Podcast Episode · Getting It Out · 09/19/2025 · 1h 12m
podcasts.apple.com
I don't think I've *ever* done an interview about the Elusive, a band I was in from 1997-98. With the impending reissue of our lone EP, Sometimes Sounds Collapse (courtesy of @expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com), I finally got a chance to do that with the Getting It Out podcast. My thanks to them.
Reposted by John Davis
Washington City Paper
@wcp.bsky.social
· Sep 18
Making a Zine: Keeping D.C. Music and Its Meaning in Print
In the hardcore punk scene and beyond, local zine makers build community and support movements through self-publication.
washingtoncitypaper.com
Zines have always been central to D.C.’s punk and indie music scene, connecting fans and fueling movements. Now, they’re back.
Contributor Taylor Ruckle looks at the resurgence of zines—the “paper boom,” as one zine maker calls it.
Contributor Taylor Ruckle looks at the resurgence of zines—the “paper boom,” as one zine maker calls it.
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 18
Adam, Roland, and Jason of the Impossible Five (Stevie hadn't arrived at the show yet!) outside the University of Maryland's South Campus Dining Hall, before a show at WMUC on April 12, 1997. Photo by John Davis from the John Davis collection on punk at UMD. #DCpunk #ImpossibleFive
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 18
I'll be speaking at the UMD School of Music next Friday, September 26 at 4pm in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at UMD. Free and open to all, this talk covers the D.C. punk fanzine scene's work during the culturally turbulent period in the early 90s when alternative rock went mainstream.
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 16
John R. Davis: Keep Your Ear to the Ground w/ Emily Flake | Books Are Magic
Your Favorite Indie Bookstore!
www.booksaremagic.net
Brooklyn! I'll be in conversation with @emilyflake.bsky.social on Friday November 14 at Books Are Magic's 225 Smith Street location. Starting at 7pm, we'll be talking about my new book (out Oct. 1), "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of DC Punk Fanzines."
www.booksaremagic.net/events/36436...
www.booksaremagic.net/events/36436...
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 12
"Stranger Things" offers several threads that I think could be untangled over a semester, both in the creative aspects of the show and in how it's marketed (and what that says about tastes, demographics, and expectations of viewers today). Nostalgia, marketing, repackaged Boomer paranoia, etc.
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 12
Next week's episode of This Year's Model focuses on music from 1968! Assembling the show now but let me know suggestions for songs you'd like to hear. Can't guarantee they'll be played but I definitely want to hear from people. Whittling a list of 200 songs I'd like to play down to 35 currently!
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 11
John R. Davis for Keep Your Ear to the Ground
The first history of the fanzines that emerged from Washington, DC’s highly influential punk community DIY culture has always been at the heart of DC’s thriving punk community. As Washi…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
I'll be in conversation with Ambrose Nzams (of Demystification zine) at @peoplesbooktakoma.com on Saturday, December 6 from 5-6pm about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC." Event is free, but People's would love it if you'd RSVP at the link below!
John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
· Sep 10
TYM0010: This Year's Model: 1992 - September 3, 2025
This episode of This Year's Model focuses on the music of 992. Features highlights from Sonic Youth, Sugar, Shudder to Think, L7, the Breeders, Nation of Ulysses, Paul Westerberg, and much more.
www.mixcloud.com
The latest episode of my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model, is up now. It focuses on 1992, which was particularly fun to do. We've got Sonic Youth, Sugar, L7, Gang Starr, Shudder to Think, L7, the Breeders, NOU, Jade, Paul Westerberg, Eric B & Rakim, Pavement, and way more. #CommunityRadio #WOWD
From NPR's Tiny Desk to Takoma Park's WOWD | WETA
YouTube video by WETA PBS
youtu.be
Nice to see WOWD/Takoma Radio (the home of my radio show, This Year's Model) getting a little feature on WETA, our PBS station in town. I appreciate the hard work everyone does behind the scenes at WOWD to keep the station up and running. #WOWD #TakomaRadio #CommunityRadio #TakomaPark
Author Talk: Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Learn about fanzines that emerged from Washington, DC's punk community from the 1970s to the 21st century.
dclibrary.libnet.info
I'll be in conversation with @chrisrichards.bsky.social about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC," October 11 at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social's MLK branch. 3pm in the New Books room. Registration is now open: dclibrary.libnet.info/event/14585068
I think this was Burning Airlines' first show. It was just a few months after Jawbox split up. There always seemed to be a great "back to school" show like this at the Black Cat or elsewhere in the scene in early September when I was in high school/college.