John R. Davis
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
Archivist, musician, curator, writer, DJ on WOWD
My book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C.", is out now:
https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Your-Ear-to-the-Ground
My book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C.", is out now:
https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Your-Ear-to-the-Ground
Thanks to the folks at @wamu.org for this article and for talking about "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C." on the radio these past few days!
#DCpunk #Booksky #Zines #Fanzines
#DCpunk #Booksky #Zines #Fanzines
In 'Keep Your Ear to the Ground,' local author and archivist traces the history of D.C. punk fanzines
In "Keep Your Ear to the Ground," University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John R. Davis traces the history of D.C. punk fanzines.
wamu.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The latest episode of This Year's Model -- my radio show on WOWD/Takoma Radio -- is up now. This one covers music from 1976, like the Damned, the Slickee Boys, Stevie Wonder, Bohannon, Mort Garson, Selda Bagcan, the Saints, AC/DC, Max Romeo, Crime, and lots more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
October 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The latest episode of This Year's Model -- my radio show on WOWD/Takoma Radio -- is up now. This one covers music from 1976, like the Damned, the Slickee Boys, Stevie Wonder, Bohannon, Mort Garson, Selda Bagcan, the Saints, AC/DC, Max Romeo, Crime, and lots more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
This Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm, I'll be at the Connecticut Ave location of @politicsprose.bsky.social in DC talking with Ian MacKaye about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC."
politics-prose.com/john-davis-1...
#DCpunk #Booksky #PunkFanzines
politics-prose.com/john-davis-1...
#DCpunk #Booksky #PunkFanzines
October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm, I'll be at the Connecticut Ave location of @politicsprose.bsky.social in DC talking with Ian MacKaye about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC."
politics-prose.com/john-davis-1...
#DCpunk #Booksky #PunkFanzines
politics-prose.com/john-davis-1...
#DCpunk #Booksky #PunkFanzines
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, is up now! This one focuses on 2012, which means we'll hear Jessica Pratt, Terry Malts, Beach House, Royal Headache, Andy Shauf, Tanlines, Poolside, @bobmouldmusic.bsky.social, Jaill, Alpine, Neil Young & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
October 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The latest episode of my radio show, This Year's Model, is up now! This one focuses on 2012, which means we'll hear Jessica Pratt, Terry Malts, Beach House, Royal Headache, Andy Shauf, Tanlines, Poolside, @bobmouldmusic.bsky.social, Jaill, Alpine, Neil Young & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
I'll be talking about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington DC" at @politicsprose.bsky.social's Connecticut Ave. location in DC on Wednesday 10/29 at 7pm with Ian MacKaye.
John Davis — Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC - with Ian MacKaye — at Conn Ave
politics-prose.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I'll be talking about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington DC" at @politicsprose.bsky.social's Connecticut Ave. location in DC on Wednesday 10/29 at 7pm with Ian MacKaye.
Reposted by John R. Davis
The long gone 7th & e nw DC space is part of a diy venues exhibit @ MLK library in Washington DC
October 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The long gone 7th & e nw DC space is part of a diy venues exhibit @ MLK library in Washington DC
Huge thanks to Georgetown University Press for making my book a reality. It all started at the @dchistorycenter.bsky.social conference in 2017 and now, following a very long path, is available today.
Now Available
In Keep Your Ear to the Ground, University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John Davis documents the history of fanzines as they evolved alongside Washington, DC’s punk music scene.
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
In Keep Your Ear to the Ground, University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John Davis documents the history of fanzines as they evolved alongside Washington, DC’s punk music scene.
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
@jrdarchivist.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Huge thanks to Georgetown University Press for making my book a reality. It all started at the @dchistorycenter.bsky.social conference in 2017 and now, following a very long path, is available today.
Out now via @georgetownup.bsky.social -- "Keep Your Ear to the Ground:" A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC" documents one of the most important parts of a punk scene's ecosystem -- the fanzine creators. Should be available anywhere you find new books!
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
October 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Out now via @georgetownup.bsky.social -- "Keep Your Ear to the Ground:" A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC" documents one of the most important parts of a punk scene's ecosystem -- the fanzine creators. Should be available anywhere you find new books!
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
press.georgetown.edu/Book/Keep-Yo...
Reposted by John R. Davis
Very excited to get my friend John Davis’s new book in the mail. As someone who was also introduced to punk rock through mix tapes in the 90s, this is a fun read.
September 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Very excited to get my friend John Davis’s new book in the mail. As someone who was also introduced to punk rock through mix tapes in the 90s, this is a fun read.
I'll be back on WOWD/Takoma Radio tomorrow night (Wed Oct 1) for another episode of This Year's Model. We'll focus on 2012, with music from @beachhouseband.bsky.social , Jessica Pratt, Redd Kross, Royal Headache, the Soft Pack, Tanlines, Cloud Nothings, Jaill, Terry Malts, & more. Any requests?
September 30, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I'll be back on WOWD/Takoma Radio tomorrow night (Wed Oct 1) for another episode of This Year's Model. We'll focus on 2012, with music from @beachhouseband.bsky.social , Jessica Pratt, Redd Kross, Royal Headache, the Soft Pack, Tanlines, Cloud Nothings, Jaill, Terry Malts, & more. Any requests?
36 years ago today - Fugazi, Shudder to Think, and Jawbox concert flier, Pierce Hall, Washington, D.C., September 22, 1989. From the Sharon Cheslow Punk Flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Fugazi #ShudderToThink #Jawbox @dischord.com #PositiveForceDC
September 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
36 years ago today - Fugazi, Shudder to Think, and Jawbox concert flier, Pierce Hall, Washington, D.C., September 22, 1989. From the Sharon Cheslow Punk Flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Fugazi #ShudderToThink #Jawbox @dischord.com #PositiveForceDC
28 years ago today - The Most Secret Method, The Dusters, The Better Automatic concert flier, Resin House, Rockville, Maryland, September 21, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at UMD. #DCpunk #MostSecretMethod #TheBetterAutomatic #HouseShows #PunkFlyers #DischordRecords #PunkRock
September 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
28 years ago today - The Most Secret Method, The Dusters, The Better Automatic concert flier, Resin House, Rockville, Maryland, September 21, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at UMD. #DCpunk #MostSecretMethod #TheBetterAutomatic #HouseShows #PunkFlyers #DischordRecords #PunkRock
The new episode of my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model, is up now! This one focuses on 1968, so we'll hear Shocking Blue, the Byrds, Sharon Tandy, the Beatles, Basil Daley, Sam & Dave, Cherry People, Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, Norma Jean, Delfonics, & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
September 21, 2025 at 12:58 AM
The new episode of my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model, is up now! This one focuses on 1968, so we'll hear Shocking Blue, the Byrds, Sharon Tandy, the Beatles, Basil Daley, Sam & Dave, Cherry People, Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, Norma Jean, Delfonics, & more.
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...
I don't think I've *ever* done an interview about the Elusive, a band I was in from 1997-98. With the impending reissue of our lone EP, Sometimes Sounds Collapse (courtesy of @expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com), I finally got a chance to do that with the Getting It Out podcast. My thanks to them.
The Elusive (John Davis)
Podcast Episode · Getting It Out · 09/19/2025 · 1h 12m
podcasts.apple.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I don't think I've *ever* done an interview about the Elusive, a band I was in from 1997-98. With the impending reissue of our lone EP, Sometimes Sounds Collapse (courtesy of @expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com), I finally got a chance to do that with the Getting It Out podcast. My thanks to them.
Reposted by John R. Davis
Zines have always been central to D.C.’s punk and indie music scene, connecting fans and fueling movements. Now, they’re back.
Contributor Taylor Ruckle looks at the resurgence of zines—the “paper boom,” as one zine maker calls it.
Contributor Taylor Ruckle looks at the resurgence of zines—the “paper boom,” as one zine maker calls it.
Making a Zine: Keeping D.C. Music and Its Meaning in Print
In the hardcore punk scene and beyond, local zine makers build community and support movements through self-publication.
washingtoncitypaper.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Zines have always been central to D.C.’s punk and indie music scene, connecting fans and fueling movements. Now, they’re back.
Contributor Taylor Ruckle looks at the resurgence of zines—the “paper boom,” as one zine maker calls it.
Contributor Taylor Ruckle looks at the resurgence of zines—the “paper boom,” as one zine maker calls it.
Adam, Roland, and Jason of the Impossible Five (Stevie hadn't arrived at the show yet!) outside the University of Maryland's South Campus Dining Hall, before a show at WMUC on April 12, 1997. Photo by John Davis from the John Davis collection on punk at UMD. #DCpunk #ImpossibleFive
September 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Adam, Roland, and Jason of the Impossible Five (Stevie hadn't arrived at the show yet!) outside the University of Maryland's South Campus Dining Hall, before a show at WMUC on April 12, 1997. Photo by John Davis from the John Davis collection on punk at UMD. #DCpunk #ImpossibleFive
I'll be speaking at the UMD School of Music next Friday, September 26 at 4pm in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at UMD. Free and open to all, this talk covers the D.C. punk fanzine scene's work during the culturally turbulent period in the early 90s when alternative rock went mainstream.
September 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I'll be speaking at the UMD School of Music next Friday, September 26 at 4pm in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at UMD. Free and open to all, this talk covers the D.C. punk fanzine scene's work during the culturally turbulent period in the early 90s when alternative rock went mainstream.
Brooklyn! I'll be in conversation with @emilyflake.bsky.social on Friday November 14 at Books Are Magic's 225 Smith Street location. Starting at 7pm, we'll be talking about my new book (out Oct. 1), "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of DC Punk Fanzines."
www.booksaremagic.net/events/36436...
www.booksaremagic.net/events/36436...
John R. Davis: Keep Your Ear to the Ground w/ Emily Flake | Books Are Magic
Your Favorite Indie Bookstore!
www.booksaremagic.net
September 16, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Brooklyn! I'll be in conversation with @emilyflake.bsky.social on Friday November 14 at Books Are Magic's 225 Smith Street location. Starting at 7pm, we'll be talking about my new book (out Oct. 1), "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of DC Punk Fanzines."
www.booksaremagic.net/events/36436...
www.booksaremagic.net/events/36436...
Next week's episode of This Year's Model focuses on music from 1968! Assembling the show now but let me know suggestions for songs you'd like to hear. Can't guarantee they'll be played but I definitely want to hear from people. Whittling a list of 200 songs I'd like to play down to 35 currently!
September 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Next week's episode of This Year's Model focuses on music from 1968! Assembling the show now but let me know suggestions for songs you'd like to hear. Can't guarantee they'll be played but I definitely want to hear from people. Whittling a list of 200 songs I'd like to play down to 35 currently!
I'll be in conversation with Ambrose Nzams (of Demystification zine) at @peoplesbooktakoma.com on Saturday, December 6 from 5-6pm about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC." Event is free, but People's would love it if you'd RSVP at the link below!
John R. Davis for Keep Your Ear to the Ground
The first history of the fanzines that emerged from Washington, DC’s highly influential punk community DIY culture has always been at the heart of DC’s thriving punk community. As Washi…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
September 11, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I'll be in conversation with Ambrose Nzams (of Demystification zine) at @peoplesbooktakoma.com on Saturday, December 6 from 5-6pm about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC." Event is free, but People's would love it if you'd RSVP at the link below!
The latest episode of my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model, is up now. It focuses on 1992, which was particularly fun to do. We've got Sonic Youth, Sugar, L7, Gang Starr, Shudder to Think, L7, the Breeders, NOU, Jade, Paul Westerberg, Eric B & Rakim, Pavement, and way more. #CommunityRadio #WOWD
TYM0010: This Year's Model: 1992 - September 3, 2025
This episode of This Year's Model focuses on the music of 992. Features highlights from Sonic Youth, Sugar, Shudder to Think, L7, the Breeders, Nation of Ulysses, Paul Westerberg, and much more.
www.mixcloud.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The latest episode of my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model, is up now. It focuses on 1992, which was particularly fun to do. We've got Sonic Youth, Sugar, L7, Gang Starr, Shudder to Think, L7, the Breeders, NOU, Jade, Paul Westerberg, Eric B & Rakim, Pavement, and way more. #CommunityRadio #WOWD
Nice to see WOWD/Takoma Radio (the home of my radio show, This Year's Model) getting a little feature on WETA, our PBS station in town. I appreciate the hard work everyone does behind the scenes at WOWD to keep the station up and running. #WOWD #TakomaRadio #CommunityRadio #TakomaPark
From NPR's Tiny Desk to Takoma Park's WOWD | WETA
YouTube video by WETA PBS
youtu.be
September 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Nice to see WOWD/Takoma Radio (the home of my radio show, This Year's Model) getting a little feature on WETA, our PBS station in town. I appreciate the hard work everyone does behind the scenes at WOWD to keep the station up and running. #WOWD #TakomaRadio #CommunityRadio #TakomaPark
I'll be in conversation with @chrisrichards.bsky.social about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC," October 11 at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social's MLK branch. 3pm in the New Books room. Registration is now open: dclibrary.libnet.info/event/14585068
Author Talk: Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Learn about fanzines that emerged from Washington, DC's punk community from the 1970s to the 21st century.
dclibrary.libnet.info
September 8, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I'll be in conversation with @chrisrichards.bsky.social about my new book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC," October 11 at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social's MLK branch. 3pm in the New Books room. Registration is now open: dclibrary.libnet.info/event/14585068
28 years ago today - Kerosene 454, Bluetip & Burning Airlines concert flier, Black Cat, Washington, D.C. - September 5, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Kerosene454 #BurningAirlines #Bluetip @dischord.com @solidbrassrecords.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
28 years ago today - Kerosene 454, Bluetip & Burning Airlines concert flier, Black Cat, Washington, D.C. - September 5, 1997. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Kerosene454 #BurningAirlines #Bluetip @dischord.com @solidbrassrecords.bsky.social
45 years ago today -- Teen Idles and Nurses concert flier - The Chancery, Washington, D.C., September 5 and 6, 1980. From the Sharon Cheslow punk flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk @dischord.com #TeenIdles #DischordRecords #1980
September 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
45 years ago today -- Teen Idles and Nurses concert flier - The Chancery, Washington, D.C., September 5 and 6, 1980. From the Sharon Cheslow punk flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk @dischord.com #TeenIdles #DischordRecords #1980