Inner City Sound: Punk and Post-Punk in Australia, 1976-1985

by Clinton Walker (Editor)

The bands that spearheaded the late 1970s punk scene in Australia-the Saints, Birthday Party, Radio Birdman, and the Go-Betweens-are among the most important of their time. Inner City Sound is the classic account of the explosive development of that scene. Original articles from fanzines and newspapers, together with almost 300 photographs, vividly portray the creative ferment of the period and the dozens of bands that sprang up in the wake of the pioneers. First published in late 1981, Inner City Sound soon fell out of print. It became a lost classic, so sought after that it has been bootlegged like the rare singles listed in its discography. This new edition contains 32 extra pages of articles, photos, and discographic data, which take the story through to 1985, when Nick Cave, the Go-Betweens, the Triffids, and others began to break through internationally.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Punk

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2005

Reviews

[Nocheevo]

Considered a seminal work in Australian Independent Music History. It is really a scrap book of photos and fanzine articles but it rings with the youthful excitement when your generation finds its music and is cool for that 5 years.

Stranded by Clinton Walker is a much more substantial read.

[Emma]

I'd been trying to track down a copy of this for over a year, but it's so ridiculously out of print that no specialty record store on the entire east coast had it. southbank library pulled through!! excellent first-hand scene report without the sentimentality of being a retrospective. as such, it's def more of a reference book & didn't quite satisfy the craving.
7/10

[Aaron]

Great book about Australian Rock EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andre' Delbos]

A great primer of the Australian punk/indie scene. Compiled from previously published photos and articles.

[Peter]

Best reference that I've come across regarding indi Australian music of the era.