Rock 'n' Roll Salvation
By Wendy Case/MOLI
Immortalizing California's legendary Bomp! label and rag
I knew I'd get a kick out of AMMO press's new tome, Bomp! Saving the World One Record at a Time. But the truth is, I haven't been able to put it down since the UPS guy had me sign for it.
A scrapbook on the evolution of the oldest continuously operating indie label in the United States and the rock magazine that preceded it, Bomp! gives me the same thrill I used to get pouring over my sixth grade yearbook back in the '70s. But instead of pining for Jonathan Mansberger from fourth period study hall, I gush hopelessly over Joey Ramone, Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop, Sky Saxon and the myriad punk, rock, pop, and new wave bands that changed my life forever.
Bomp! founder Greg Shaw was an anomaly when he founded his first magazine, Mojo Navigator, in '60s San Francisco. Instead of casting out the early heroes of rock (Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, Elvis), he began construction on a traceable road map — visual, aural, and intellectual — that connected them, and us, to the future. With the help of wife and Bomp! co-founder Suzy Shaw (who co-authored this book with rock journalist/former Deviants frontman Mick Farren), Greg revolutionized rock journalism and initiated the format that everyone recognizes today as "indie rock."
Suzy still runs the label (which relocated to Burbank in the '70s), along with partner Patrick Boissel. And though Greg succumbed to kidney failure in 2004, his legacy — which includes everyone from the Germs and the Romantics to the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Black Keys — is a legacy of love. The man loved rock 'n' roll. The book, basically a compendium of clippings from Mojo Navigator and its successor Who Put The Bomp, along with pictures and artifacts from Bomp! Records and its many subsidiary labels, is a fitting tribute to his passion and enthusiasm. In its pages you'll find early writings by fellow rock devotees Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus, the first-ever fanzine interview with the Doors, the original advertisement for Runaways auditions (hosted by Bomp! and Kim Fowley), and heaps of other fun stuff.
You can order a copy for yourself (along with an unrivaled catalog of music both old and new) from Bomp!'s online store. Also be sure to drop into the label's brand new MOLI profile and say "Hi" to Patrick and Suzy. They're awesome. - Wendy Case / Moli
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Born In The Garage & Bomp! Saving The World One Record At A Time
a rock'n'roll book by Suzy Shaw & Mick Farren (Ammo)
The idea for this book came in the early '80s right after BOMP magazine first folded. It seemed a tragedy that the earliest works of so many great writers and artists would be lost to the ages, and we knew that somehow we needed to reproduce as much of the historic material as we could in book form. But assembling the material was an enormous task that would involve years of work, a team of artists and writers, and certainly a lot of money. And although Greg and I never gave up on the idea, we couldn't manage to find the time and make the connections to do it right.
When Greg died I knew it was the most important job I had, as this book is not just the story of BOMP and Greg Shaw, but a unique document of a time, place, and perspective in the history of rock and roll. This is a work beyond anything Greg and I could have dreamed of, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many talented people, and of course thanks to all of you, my customers, for making it all possible. I hope you enjoy the book. - Suzy Shaw
30 years of rock'n'roll viewed from the garage. Features full color repros of the first rock'n'roll zine Mojo Navigator (1966 to 1967) as well as its successors, and repros of Bomp fanzine and magazine (1970 to 1979), with original writings by Lester Bangs, Greil Marcus, Ken Barnes, Gene Sculatti, Lisa Fancher, Greg Shaw and many others. Features in depth interviews and major features on The Doors, The Grateful Dead, The Ramones, Blondie, The Standells, The Troggs, The Runaways, Sky Saxon and The Seeds, The Barracudas, Janis Joplin and Big Brother and The Holding Company, Brian Wilson, The Birth Of Surf, and more. Also includes the missing Bomp magazine issue #22, and the story of the Bomp label. Edited and introduced by journalist and author Mick Farren, with essays by Suzy Shaw and contributions by Lenny Kaye, Peter Case, Mike Stax and others. Includes amazing photos, many previously unseen. A must have for collectors, historians, musicians and rock'n'roll lovers everywhere.
The idea for this book came in the early '80s right after BOMP magazine first folded. It seemed a tragedy that the earliest works of so many great writers and artists would be lost to the ages, and we knew that somehow we needed to reproduce as much of the historic material as we could in book form. But assembling the material was an enormous task that would involve years of work, a team of artists and writers, and certainly a lot of money. And although Greg and I never gave up on the idea, we couldn't manage to find the time and make the connections to do it right.
When Greg died I knew it was the most important job I had, as this book is not just the story of BOMP and Greg Shaw, but a unique document of a time, place, and perspective in the history of rock and roll. This is a work beyond anything Greg and I could have dreamed of, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many talented people, and of course thanks to all of you, my customers, for making it all possible. I hope you enjoy the book. - Suzy Shaw
30 years of rock'n'roll viewed from the garage. Features full color repros of the first rock'n'roll zine Mojo Navigator (1966 to 1967) as well as its successors, and repros of Bomp fanzine and magazine (1970 to 1979), with original writings by Lester Bangs, Greil Marcus, Ken Barnes, Gene Sculatti, Lisa Fancher, Greg Shaw and many others. Features in depth interviews and major features on The Doors, The Grateful Dead, The Ramones, Blondie, The Standells, The Troggs, The Runaways, Sky Saxon and The Seeds, The Barracudas, Janis Joplin and Big Brother and The Holding Company, Brian Wilson, The Birth Of Surf, and more. Also includes the missing Bomp magazine issue #22, and the story of the Bomp label. Edited and introduced by journalist and author Mick Farren, with essays by Suzy Shaw and contributions by Lenny Kaye, Peter Case, Mike Stax and others. Includes amazing photos, many previously unseen. A must have for collectors, historians, musicians and rock'n'roll lovers everywhere.
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