wegotpower

"We Got Power" fanzine compiled for hardcover book

Milo Aukerman (of Descendents) in 1982, with photographer Glen E. Friedman in frame
We Got Power

As teenagers in 1981, David Markey and his best friend Jordan Schwartz founded We Got Power, a fanzine dedicated to the first-generation hardcore punk music community in their native Los Angeles. Their text and cameras captured the early punk spirit of Black Flag, the Minutemen, Social Distortion, Red Cross/Redd Kross, Suicidal Tendencies, the Descendents, White Flag, the Last, the Gun Club, Saccharine Trust, Sin 34, Nip Drivers, Circle One, M.D.C., Big Boys, Youth Brigade, D.R.I., the Butthole Surfers, Firehose, and many others at the height of their precocious punk powers.

Much like Bazillion Points did with the amazing Slayer zine, We Got Power is now getting the royal treatment with a reprint of the fanzine from 1981-1983 “and beyond”. The 300+ page book features essays from names like Henry Rollins, Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski, Dez Cadena, Tony Adolescent, Mike Watt, and so many others, and is currently available for preorder. Get yours via Bazillion Points.

Check out a stream of the We Got Power comp “Party or Go Home” below, featuring appearances from Dr. Know, White Flag, Ill Repute, and many others.

While on the subject of punk, don’t forget Descendents play Williamsburg Park on September 8th. Tickets are still available.