San Francisco Punk History on Film

In 2017, San Francisco celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love — or at least our rose-tinted memories of it. But just 10 years later, the punks were the rebels, and anarchic bands like the Avengers and the Dils became underground favorites. The Punk Archive (who knew that existed?) at the San Francisco Library History Center recalls the era in a series of free shows this month and next, starting with footage of the Avengers and other bands in the rare color documentary Louder, Faster, Shorter, from 1978. My co-host, former hipster Tomás Riley, notes the Mabuhay Gardens was one of the only clubs in SF willing to endure the rowdy crowds that came to punk shows. Riley says he got to perform as a poet at Mabuhay and understood that he was on hallowed ground. Details here.