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
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
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
November 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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
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...
October 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
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...
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
October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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
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...
October 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
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...
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...
October 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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...
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
September 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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
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
September 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
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
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...
September 21, 2025 at 12:58 AM
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...
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
September 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
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
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.
September 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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.
28 years ago today - Kerosene 454, Bluetip & Burning Airlines concert flier, Black Cat, Washington, D.C. - September 5, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Kerosene454 #BurningAirlines #Bluetip @dischord.com @solidbrassrecords.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
28 years ago today - Kerosene 454, Bluetip & Burning Airlines concert flier, Black Cat, Washington, D.C. - September 5, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Kerosene454 #BurningAirlines #Bluetip @dischord.com @solidbrassrecords.bsky.social
45 years ago today -- Teen Idles and Nurses concert flier - The Chancery, Washington, D.C., September 5 and 6, 1980. From the Sharon Cheslow punk flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk @dischord.com #TeenIdles #DischordRecords #1980
September 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
45 years ago today -- Teen Idles and Nurses concert flier - The Chancery, Washington, D.C., September 5 and 6, 1980. From the Sharon Cheslow punk flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk @dischord.com #TeenIdles #DischordRecords #1980
I'll be in conversation with my old friend and QANU/PB/Elusive bandmate @chrisrichards.bsky.social about my new book on DC punk fanzines, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground," on Saturday, October 11 at 3pm in MLK Library's New Books Area (corner of 9th and G in NW DC). Part of Black Eyes' festival!
August 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I'll be in conversation with my old friend and QANU/PB/Elusive bandmate @chrisrichards.bsky.social about my new book on DC punk fanzines, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground," on Saturday, October 11 at 3pm in MLK Library's New Books Area (corner of 9th and G in NW DC). Part of Black Eyes' festival!
46 years ago today: The Slinkees concert flier, Brian's Garage, Washington, DC - August 24, 1979. An important date in D.C. hardcore history, as this was the Slinkees' only show. 3/4 of the band went onto form the Teen Idles, the band that founded @dischord.com and led to Minor Threat, Fugazi, etc.
August 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
46 years ago today: The Slinkees concert flier, Brian's Garage, Washington, DC - August 24, 1979. An important date in D.C. hardcore history, as this was the Slinkees' only show. 3/4 of the band went onto form the Teen Idles, the band that founded @dischord.com and led to Minor Threat, Fugazi, etc.
40 years ago today -- Bad Brains, Scream, and Beefeater concert flier, WUST Radio Music Hall, Washington, D.C., August 24, 1985. From both the Paul Bushmiller and the Sharon Cheslow collections at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #BadBrains @dischord.com #PunkFlyers #PunkFliers #DChardcore
August 24, 2025 at 1:04 PM
40 years ago today -- Bad Brains, Scream, and Beefeater concert flier, WUST Radio Music Hall, Washington, D.C., August 24, 1985. From both the Paul Bushmiller and the Sharon Cheslow collections at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #BadBrains @dischord.com #PunkFlyers #PunkFliers #DChardcore
The "Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings" exhibition at the Phillips Collection in DC was one of my favorites of the summer. Just as memorable was its exhibition catalogue, which was an inspiration. Great writing, curation, design, print quality, and binding. Up through August 31!
August 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The "Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings" exhibition at the Phillips Collection in DC was one of my favorites of the summer. Just as memorable was its exhibition catalogue, which was an inspiration. Great writing, curation, design, print quality, and binding. Up through August 31!
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, focuses on the music of 2023! You'll hear the Whiffs, Telehealth, Sensor Ghost, Mitski, Wireheads, Sweeping Promises, Olivia Rodrigo, Andy Shauf, Lemon Twigs, Sharp Pins, the Beatles, Cel Ray, and lots more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
August 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, focuses on the music of 2023! You'll hear the Whiffs, Telehealth, Sensor Ghost, Mitski, Wireheads, Sweeping Promises, Olivia Rodrigo, Andy Shauf, Lemon Twigs, Sharp Pins, the Beatles, Cel Ray, and lots more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
32 years ago today -- A pretty amazing day in D.C. on August 7, 1993. I saw Fugazi perform by the Washington Monument in the afternoon, took a dinner break, and then went to see Jawbox and an incredible bill at St. Stephen's that night. Also interviewed Guy Picciotto before the Fugazi show! #DCpunk
August 8, 2025 at 1:26 AM
32 years ago today -- A pretty amazing day in D.C. on August 7, 1993. I saw Fugazi perform by the Washington Monument in the afternoon, took a dinner break, and then went to see Jawbox and an incredible bill at St. Stephen's that night. Also interviewed Guy Picciotto before the Fugazi show! #DCpunk
44 years ago today -- Kraftwerk concert flier, Warner Theatre, Washington, D.C., August 2, 1981. From the Paul Bushmiller collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #Kraftwerk #DCinThe80s #ConcertFlyers #WarnerTheatre #PunkArchive
August 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
44 years ago today -- Kraftwerk concert flier, Warner Theatre, Washington, D.C., August 2, 1981. From the Paul Bushmiller collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #Kraftwerk #DCinThe80s #ConcertFlyers #WarnerTheatre #PunkArchive
I'll be talking about my new book (out Oct 1) with @chrisrichards.bsky.social as part of the upcoming Speaking in Tongues festival that Black Eyes is putting together. We'll announce the location soon, but Chris and I will hold our talk at 3pm on Saturday, October 11. More info TBA!
July 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I'll be talking about my new book (out Oct 1) with @chrisrichards.bsky.social as part of the upcoming Speaking in Tongues festival that Black Eyes is putting together. We'll announce the location soon, but Chris and I will hold our talk at 3pm on Saturday, October 11. More info TBA!
Jawbox performing at American University in Washington, D.C. - March 1, 1996 - Photo by John Davis - From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Jawbox #Jrobbins #PunkPhotos #AlternativeRock #DesotoRecords @dischord.com #ConcertPhotography
July 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Jawbox performing at American University in Washington, D.C. - March 1, 1996 - Photo by John Davis - From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Jawbox #Jrobbins #PunkPhotos #AlternativeRock #DesotoRecords @dischord.com #ConcertPhotography
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, is up! This one focuses on music of 1979 and my guest is Sarah Grady of Made You a Tape. Music from the Undertones, Pylon, the Slits, @gangoffour.bsky.social, Slickee Boys, Bad Brains, @buzzcocks.com, & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
July 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, is up! This one focuses on music of 1979 and my guest is Sarah Grady of Made You a Tape. Music from the Undertones, Pylon, the Slits, @gangoffour.bsky.social, Slickee Boys, Bad Brains, @buzzcocks.com, & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
This coming Friday, July 11, I'll be DJing at the Art Sound Language record/book shop in NW DC near Chevy Chase Circle from 6-9pm with my old QANU bandmates Chris and Matt. Just a fun hang as we play some records on a summer evening, so come by!
July 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
This coming Friday, July 11, I'll be DJing at the Art Sound Language record/book shop in NW DC near Chevy Chase Circle from 6-9pm with my old QANU bandmates Chris and Matt. Just a fun hang as we play some records on a summer evening, so come by!
31 years ago today -- I was there (onstage!) - Tsunami, Rollercoaster & Corm concert flier, Black Cat, Washington, D.C., July 5, 1994. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk @expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com @blackcatdc.bsky.social @numerogroup.bsky.social #Corm
July 5, 2025 at 1:50 PM
31 years ago today -- I was there (onstage!) - Tsunami, Rollercoaster & Corm concert flier, Black Cat, Washington, D.C., July 5, 1994. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk @expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com @blackcatdc.bsky.social @numerogroup.bsky.social #Corm
The latest episode of my radio show on WOWD focuses on the music of 1988. Listen here: www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
REM, E.U., Jane's Addiction, Public Enemy, Pixies, Leonard Cohen, the Primitives, the Vaselines, Dinosaur Jr, MBV, Eric B & Rakim, Jungle Brothers, and lots more.
REM, E.U., Jane's Addiction, Public Enemy, Pixies, Leonard Cohen, the Primitives, the Vaselines, Dinosaur Jr, MBV, Eric B & Rakim, Jungle Brothers, and lots more.
July 2, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The latest episode of my radio show on WOWD focuses on the music of 1988. Listen here: www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
REM, E.U., Jane's Addiction, Public Enemy, Pixies, Leonard Cohen, the Primitives, the Vaselines, Dinosaur Jr, MBV, Eric B & Rakim, Jungle Brothers, and lots more.
REM, E.U., Jane's Addiction, Public Enemy, Pixies, Leonard Cohen, the Primitives, the Vaselines, Dinosaur Jr, MBV, Eric B & Rakim, Jungle Brothers, and lots more.