Upside Down Punks: The Strange But True Story of That Fugazi Basketball Hoop Show

by J Hunter Bennett, Mickey Lynch (Foreword)

In the summer of 1988, a star-struck teenager with zero concert promotion experience booked a fledgling DC punk band called Fugazi to play a decrepit gymnasium in a forgotten section of Northeast Philadelphia. Attendance was sparse, conditions were sweltering, and the sound sucked. But thanks to time, technology, the rise of social media--and Fugazi singer Guy Picciotto stuffing himself through a basketball hoop--that once-disappointing show is now "legendary." Read all about the gig and how it came about through this oral history compiled by attendee J. Hunter Bennett, including an introduction by the kid who made the show happen, Mickey Lynch. "I laughed my ass off--such a good piece. I got to hand it to Mickey Lynch--I had no idea the mental grind he went through putting that gig together." --Guy Picciotto, Fugazi "Loved it. Exceptional stuff. Great perspective on all fronts." --Brendan Canty, Fugazi

17 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone that used to put out his own punk zine (25 cents per issue, back in the late 80’s) and had put on a few shows at the halls in my hometown, as well as getting to see Fugazi play live (a handful of times) from NJ to DC to NYC – I was a bit too excited to pick up a copy of this little ‘history book’.

Insightful.
Inspiring.
Informative.
Absurd.

A bit too expensive (hey – I’m cheap!) but a great (quick) read all the same.

(And I’m always happy to ‘support the scene’.)

“…the show ended without incident. The rim didn’t bend, the stage held, and the skinheads stayed home. And both the audience and bands seemed satisfied.”

“With the advent of social media, the legend of the show grew – thanks in no small part to this picture that Sean Gustilo took of Picciotto dangling upside down over Canty’s drum kit which, as of this writing, has been shared approximately 10 kabillion times on Facebook.”

[Bernard Laugen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and hilarious story of the now legendary basketball hoop fugazi show! If you’re a passionate fan of underground music, you’ll surely see a little bit of yourself in the story of Mickey and his quest to book a fugazi show!

[natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nephew should read this. DIY inspiration.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the (many) things this gets right is its length. When so much of what we read/see is stretched to interminable, unwarranted lengths, Bennett thought "I want to tell this story, but it's a pamphlet, not a book (or a 6 part mini-series)." Or at least I think he thought that. Regardless, it was the right call.