[SKATE PUNK ARCHIVE - JFA, 1977-1986]. [JFA and the development of Skateboard Culture]

A quantity of eight flyers promoting JFA concerts in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and elsewhere between 1982 and 1986, photomechanically reproduced on 8.5" x 11" sheets of white, pink, or yellow paper. PLUS: "JFA Songbook" (see below). Overall, the material is very clean, having been stored in a filing cabinet, free from light and handling for forty years. PLUS: five newspaper skateboard mags (1977-1980), newsprint (folded for many years and toned). PLUS: two surfer mags (1973-1974), newsprint (toned). A FINE AND EARLY ARCHIVE OF SKATE PUNK FLYERS, DOCUMENTING THE ROLE OF THE BAND JODY FOSTER'S ARMY (JFA) AND THEIR CONTEMPORARIES IN THE SKATE CULTURE IN THE EARLY 1980s. SEVERAL FLYERS ARE ICONIC AND ARE NOW UNFINDABLE IN FRESH, MUSEUM QUALITY AS HERE, HAVING BEEN STORED IN A FILING CABINET FOR EXACTLY FORTY YEARS, TO WHICH IS ADDED A SMALL QUANTITY OF NEWSPRINT SKATEBOARD MAGS (1977-1980) AND RELATED EPHEMERA. Two cultural phenomena of the 1970s and 80s continue to exert a tremendous impact on the youth of twenty-first century: skateboarding (particularly skate-punk) and hip-hop, both of which began as expressions of disaffected "outsiders" who were unwilling or unable to participate in mainstream America, and did so in a completely DYI manner. Today, both phenomena have been co-opted and commercialized worldwide, particularly in terms of music, linguistics, fashion, art and culture. We are able to offer a small but very interesting "time capsule" of the former. Concerning skate-punk band JFA: "With roots in the Arizona and Southern California skateboard scenes, JFA was formed in 1981, nineteen days after the failed attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley Jr., an obsessed fan of Jodie Foster. The original lineup of vocalist Brian Brannon, guitarist Don "Redondo" Pendleton, bassist Michael Cornelius, and drummer Mike 'Bam-Bam' Sversvold developed a faster, more focused sound that combined the nascent hardcore of Black Flag and The Germs with the twangy guitar that defined The Ventures and Dick Dale. With lyrics and imagery steeped in the lifestyle, JFA appealed to skaters who saw themselves taking surf culture to the streets." (johnson rare books and archives, from whom we acquired the present collection). HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COLLECTION: Flyer of the very important May 18, 1984 concert with skate punk pioneers The Big Boys (Austin, TX) at the Stardust Ballroom in Hollywood. Billed as "L.A.'s First All Skate Gig!" and sponsored by Powell & Peralta, Tracker, and other skateboard manufacturers, it also included performances by JFA, Aggression, Faction, Ill Repute, and Tales of Terror. We know it was a great show because we were there. ~ May 26 [1986] flyer for DRI (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) et al. in Dallas, and on the other side JFA et al. ~ Aug. 17 [1982] flyer for Meat Puppets ("new album due anytime now from SST Records") and JFA in Tempe, AZ ~ Catalogue of Placebo Products / Placebo Records (JFA label), 4 pp. ~ Promotional flyer for JFA skateboard (two shapes, three sizes, generally 10.5" x 30.5") ~ Calendar for Sept. 1986 punk rock shows at the Downtown Danceteria in Minneapolis, MN promoting shows by the Circle Jerks, Liveskull and others ~ Nov. 21 [1983] flyer for Samhain, JFA, Necros, et al. at Stardust Ballroom, Hollywood ~ 3 flyers from JFA 1986 "Fifth Anniversary" tour (including Denver) ~ "The JFA Songbook" zine, together 8 ff., stapled as issued, containing "Lyrics to all known and remembered ballads," interspersed with photocopy cuttings and drawings. A worn copy of this item sold on eBay for $139 (Dec. 12, 2022). PROVENANCE: Archive of Richard Bishop, guitarist of the Sun City Girls (Phoenix, AZ), an experimental rock band. Statement by Bishop "Each one was collected before the date of the show and have been in a filing cabinet ever since." ADDED: Seabreeze: Voice of the Western Surfing Association. San Diego, CA 1973-1974. Together two issues, newsprint: Nov. / Dec. 1973 (vol. 1 no. 6), 30, [2] pp. July / A.…