A Scene In Between USA : The sounds and styles of American indie, 1983-1989

by Sam Knee

A pictorial history of 1980s alternative Americana.

The book features hundreds of previously unseen images of bands including: Faith, Rites of Spring, Dinosaur Jr, Embrace, Opal, Galaxie 500, Beat Happening, Sonic Youth, Scratch Acid, Pussy Galore and early Nirvana. Interviews by key band members make this an essential resource for any fashion or music enthusiast.

Following on from the success of A Scene In Between, revised edition, this new title explores the musical and sartorial treasures of the American 1980s guitar-based indie scenes. Starting in 1983 with the post-hardcore movement in Washington DC, Scene USA journeys coast to coast, covering everything from college rock to noise rock by way of the Paisley Underground, ending in 1989 with the nascent grunge scene in Seattle.

Using original archive photography from scenesters and band members of the time, Sam Knee takes you on a fashion trip through an alternative musical history, which is placed in direct opposition to the glossy, Reaganite high-pop narrative that we know so well.

Genres: Music

192 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book creates a burning sense of nostalgia, even for me who came of music age about a decade after the six-year time period it covers. In fact, ten years later, from ‘92-’98, my peers and I listened to some of the same bands (Sonic Youth, Minor Threat, Dinosaur Jr) and sported some of the same fashions (longish hair, Converse Chuck Taylors, flannels) featured here. The photography is phenomenal, evocative of a time truly distinct from now. It is cool how many of the featured artists credited early R.E.M. for being their inspiration for everything from DIY touring to jangly rock guitar. In one photo caption, Ric Menck is quoted perfectly capturing what was special about Michael Stipe’s lyrics: “They were often totally indecipherable , and yet they seemed to embody dee meaning. We never really understood what he was talking about, but we attached our own meaning to his words, and this made it seem even more like they were ours” (6). Early-era R.E.M. was my first indie rock love, and remains special to me today.

[Stewart Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife gifted me the original UK version of this book for Christmas years ago, and I snapped up this sequel the second I saw it at Booksmith a few weeks ago. Along with being invaluable for a current project, it's just an incredible memory-jogger. Favorite photo: a JJ Gonson snapshot of some kids outside the Rat that's a needed reminder that very few people at indie clubs and gigs actually dressed the part the way you might think.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of indie music this is a must read, full of info about less known and more famous bands.
Well researched and well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine