Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital

Updated 2009 edition of this evergreen punk classic―with a new chapter, additional photos, and other original material!

“A truly compelling narrative . . . a powerful piece of cultural reporting.” ―Washington Post

Washington, DC’s creative, politically insurgent punk scene is studied for the first time by local activist Mark Andersen and arts writer Mark Jenkins. The nation’s capital gave birth to the most influential punk underground of the ’80s and ’90s. Dance of Days recounts the rise of trailblazing artists such as Bad Brains, Henry Rollins, Minor Threat, Rites of Spring, Fugazi, and Bikini Kill, while examining the roots of PMA, straight edge, Dischord Records, Revolution Summer, Positive Force, and Riot Grrrl. This book provides a window on the hidden history of a grassroots rock revolution that burst into the mainstream in the early ’90s following the success of Nirvana and its groundbreaking album, Nevermind.

MARK ANDERSEN is the coauthor of Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capital and author of All The Power. He lives in Washington, DC. We Are The Clash is his latest work.

MARK JENKINS writes about music for the Washington Post, WAMU-FM’s “Metro Connection,” Blurt, and Time Out New York. He is the coauthor of Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capital, and also writes about film for NPR. He lives in Washington, DC.