Brian Gorsegner, vocalist of Night Birds (who are currently on hiatus) and booking agent for a handful of punk bands, has also put together a new punk book called Ancient Artifax. As the title implies, the book “unearthed punk rock artifacts from the 1970s and 1980s through hundreds of images and supporting commentary from those who witnessed the birth of a counter-culture first-hand in the New York City, Washington DC, and Midwest scenes.” Brian shared an unboxing video and a few clips from the book, which shows off old show flyers, photos, hand-written lyrics, and oral history-style commentary that documents the likes of Black Flag, Minor Threat, Negative Approach, The Meatmen, the Necros, Dischord Records, CBGB, Blondie, Untouchables, The Faith, Scream, Adolescents, Adrenalin O.D., D.O.A., Heart Attack, and so many others.
The first edition of the book sold out ahead of the release date, but pre-orders are now up for the second edition, which is estimated to ship on September 6 via Radio Raheem Records.
There are also three upcoming release events for the book, including one at NYC’s TV Eye on Saturday (8/3) from 2-5 PM before the previously announced Negative Approach show at the same venue with Dropdead, No Time, and Mugger. The Ancient Artifax party features a pop-up, a screen-printing workshop, a panel with Sheer Terror’s Paul Bearer and Alex Kinon (Cause For Alarm, Agnostic Front), and more. Tickets for both the book party and the Negative Approach show are available.
After that, there’s a launch party at NJ’s Atlantic Highlands Art Council on August 9, which features a pop-up from 6-9 PM with an artifacts exhibit, a screen printing workshop, and more; followed by ‘Ancient Artifax Live’ from 9PM-midnight featuring a panel with Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion) and Mark Haggerty (Iron Cross, Gray Matter) and a screening of the classic punk film The Decline of Western Civilization.
Finally, there’s another party in Detroit at Third Man Records on August 17. Starting at 1 PM, it’s free and features a pop-up and a panel with Brian, Negative Approach’s John Brannon, The Meatmen/Touch & Go’s Tesco Vee, and the Necros’ Andy Wendler.
Check out the un-boxing video, clips from the book, and flyers for the upcoming release events below…
