Live at the Safari Club: A History of harDCcore Punk in the Nation's Capital 1988-1998 by Shawna Kenney and Rich Dollinger

Live at the Safari Club: A People's History of HarDCore is the uncensored oral history of a notorious underground punk venue in the nation’s capital, told by the bands, fans, zinesters, promoters, graffiti artists, scenesters, senators’ kids and activists who made it happen.

Over 200 exclusive interviews with and photos of members of Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, Sick of it All, Worlds Collide, Ignition, Swiz, Avail, Rancid, Nirvana, Danzig, Bad Religion, Tom Waits’ band, Bad Brains, Hole, Hatebreed, Clutch, My Morning Jacket, and more.

"I spent much of the late 80s and 90s on tour with Fugazi and it seemed like something was always brewing back in DC while I was away. . . . Seeing the images in the book and learning more about the Safari makes me regret having missed the action, but also thrilled to know that kids will always find a way to make that action happen. It can’t be stopped!"
―Ian MacKaye, frontman for Minor Threat and Fugazi

"The Safari Club was a venue that was sorely needed in DC at the time―for the next generation of punk which was growing rapidly. Shawna became known by touring punk bands as the person to contact in DC for a show, and developed a positive reputation quickly."
―Cynthia Connolly, program manager, DC Space, circa 1989; co-author of Banned in DC

"DC's Safari Club was one of those legendary places that you'd hear about that was part of the scene. NY had A7 and CBGB, Connecticut had Pogos and the Anthrax, LA, SF, Detroit and on and on, every place where punk took root had venues spring up out of necessity to give kids a place to hang out and hear, play and see live music."
―Jordan Cooper, Revelation Records

About the Author

Shawna Kenney authored the award-winning memoir I Was a Teenage Dominatrix (Last Gasp), edited the anthology Book Lovers (Seal Press) and co-wrote Imposters (Mark Batty Publishers). Her photos appear in the book 9:30: A Time and Place and she contributed a chapter to Spoke: Images and Stories from the 1980s Washington, DC Punk Scene (Akashic Books). Her freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, Ms., Bust, Vice, Narratively, Alternative Press, Creative Nonfiction, and more.

Rich Dolinger has played in bands and has been involved in the hardcore scene since the late 80s. He’s dabbled in photography, music journalism, graphic design and is currently studying film editing. His photography and articles have appeared in Spin Magazine, AP, Highwire Daze, and While You Were Sleeping. He is also a Los Angeles-based contractor, operating his company Straight Edge Tile.