From AK79 to The Class of 81: Photos from 1978 to 1982 (and a few more)
Author:
Anthony Phelps
Publisher:
Anthony Phelps
ISBN:
9780473565152
Date Published:
March 2021
Pages:
114
Format:
Hardback
Paperback
RRP:
$150.00
$79.00
The Screaming Meemees: Laurence (Yoh) Landwer-Johan, Peter van der Fluit, Tony Drumm and Michael O’Neill on an empty train at the downtown train station, Auckland 13 December 1980 (© Anthony Phelps)
In 1978 a young man began to take photographs of the bands that visited his school, playing lunchtime concerts.
From there, Anthony Phelps followed the bands to the other venues they were playing and over the next five years, he visually documented one of the most exciting eras in Auckland’s rock and roll history, the punk and post-punk years.
They were heady years, as punk created an explosion in new music in New Zealand with dozens of new venues and literally hundreds of new bands, plus a nascent New Zealand indie recording industry that survives today. Names like Toy Love, The Scavengers, Pop Mechanix, The Terrorways, The Spelling Mistakes and The Screaming Meemees are all part of New Zealand’s musical history and Anthony photographed them all and many more.
Some of his images have become iconic in the decades since, images like the AK79 album cover which must exist in thousands of New Zealand homes and homes around the world.
The Class of 81: Band members of the Ainsworths, Screaming Meemees, Rebel Truce and the Killjoys at a PR shoot and band practice at XS cafe, Auckland, 13 December 1980 (© Anthony Phelps)
Whilst a good number of Anthony’s images have been widely seen over the years, most of the thousands of photos he took during this time have remained unpublished until now. Encouraged by friends, Anthony selected 300 key images, and from that reduced it down to 180 images that take in 50 shoots and some 40 bands. As well as local bands, he has unseen images of international acts like The Clash and the Ramones.
All these have been lovingly and carefully rescanned from the negatives and transparencies and the result is this book.
From AK79 to The Class of 81 is available in limited quantities via a limited number of selected retail outlets. Available to retail only direct from publisher Anthony Phelps: email or text.
Reviews, Interviews, Articles, Extracts
Audioculture article
Radio New Zealand interview with Charlotte Ryan on Music 101
Stuff interview
