We're Desperate: The Punk Rock Photography of Jim Jocoy, SF/LA 1978-1980

by Exene Cervenka, Marc Jacobs (Introduction), Jim Jocoy (Photographer)

1977: Punk rock music and fashion blew out of New York City, exploded in London, and caught like wildfire in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the world over. It developed concurrently everywhere, and every region had it's own identity. But it was in San Francisco and L.A. where the most radical behavior in stateside punk rock style and attitude was exhibited. It was anti-hippie, anti-disco, anti-parent and anti-"nice". And it was shockingly new. These photos are ground zero of punk rock style—delirious innovation and a snarling takeover of youth culture still resonating more than 20 years hence.

Genres: Music, Photography, Punk, Art, Nonfiction, Fashion, The United States Of America

280 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

Singer, Writer and artist, Exene is best known as the lead vocalist of legendary LA punk band X.

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love photos like these. Such an interesting couple of years - and the aesthetic has really continued to live on.

[Kain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was lucky enough to go to the show for this when it came out.

[Anita Perlikiewicz-Homco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book when I was 19/20 years old and fell in love with it. At 33 I still see the same beauty in it that I did then.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite photography books EVER. The fashion, the attitude of the few years these photos were taking are absolutely amazing. I look at it at least once a week (for the past few years) to get some fashion inspiration. Also some awesome celebrities/musicians are sprinkled throughout the book. It's fun trying to spot them :)

[Teree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sooooo great for punk rock eye candy. It's all San Francisco and New York I believe. No words, just pictures, except for the forward, which was written by Thurston Moore. P.S. The Cramps and X are in it.

[Kara Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was sucked back into the late 70s - early 80s. I just barely missed coming of age during this time period, by about five years or so. The L.A. punk look was totally different than the Brit Punk look. I'd say the L.A. look was almost New Wave.

[Johnny Galt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signed copy dedicated to me. 5 stars!

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extra points for Bryan Gregory's slime green tuxedo jacket and the giant punker (anyone know who that was?).

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life.

[Jeremy Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great visual documentary of an exciting time.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great eye candy of the Downtown scene with essays by Exene, Thurston Moore, and Marc Jacobs.