Oh So Pretty: Punk in Print 1976-1980

by Toby Mott (Contributor), Rick Poynor (Contributor)

A compelling visual portrait of a time, place, and subculture that raised a middle finger to modern society Oh So Punk in Print 1976-80 is an unrivalled collection of visually striking ephemera from Britain’s punk subculture. It presents 500 artefacts - 'zines,' gig posters, flyers, and badges - from well-known and obscure musical acts, designers, venues, and related political groups. While punk was first and foremost a music phenomenon, it reflected a DIY spirit and instantly recognizable aesthetic that was as raw and strident and irrepressible as the music. As disposable as the items in this book once were, together they tell a story about music, history, class, and art, and document a seismic shift in society and visual culture.

Genres: Music, Art, Punk, Design, Fashion, Coffee Table Books

512 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2016

Reviews

[Casey Kiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a rad book to own. I got it for my favorites Adam & the Ants and The Plasmatics.
And it didn't disappoint. It brings you back to that time with the punk flyers and punk enery and anger that meant so much, that we now completely lack. Individualism....what's that? Fighting back....what's that? 2017...We are safe in our dark rooms with only the light of the internet..aren't we? Maybe until dot dot dot t h e b l a c k o u t.

[Pauliina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is definitely the coolest book i own.

[Chelsea Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the *format* of this art book, which is newsprinty, lightweight; it fits the topic, which is punk flyers and album art. The art itself is great; it's interesting to think of pre-digital art making days

(I sound millenial... I lived through these days myself and was very into ransom-note-style collage into college (I made little name labels to mark all my CD collection)

and in particular the public artwork of the time by both National Front and anti-racism groups that was an essential part of the politics punk interacted with was new to me and great to look at and think about. The narrow time period in the title is actually much narrower in practice; most of the book, I think, is fr0m 1977. Interesting also to see the US punk and non-punk artists who were touring with these artists. Also a reminder to me that I still need to "get into" Crass.

[Gerry LaFemina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curated tour through Mott's collection of flyers, zines, record posters, etc from London c. 1977/78. From the professional to the DYI, the pages of this book give a good overview of how punks saw themselves, how corporations (music press and labels) saw punks, and how these two things shaped the culture.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real trip back in time for us old punks who were teenagers in the late 70s. Many memories of that era plus images I had never seen before. If only I had kept some of the posters shown in this fine publication but c'est la vie. Only gripe is the price but I got it at half that so I was happy. Punks not dead but I'm not far off.

Ray Smillie

[Courtney Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much to read as it’s mostly pictures of flyers etc from the punk era, but it is amazing to look at and the documentation from that time is very cool.

[Hari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real great punk book!! Great photos and artwork.

[Mills College Library]

704.94978 O361 2016