Rating
PPPPP = As punk as it can get
PPPP = Very punk
PPP = 50% punk
PP = Has some punk
P = Has little punk
***** = Highly recommended
**** = Very good
*** = Nice read
** = Could be better
* = Pretty bad
10 Jaar Simplon: Over Hippies, Punks, Billies & Andere Querulanten – 1987
50 Jaar Vera Posters 1974-2024 – 2025
Amsterdam On Tour: The Early Signs Of Dutch Graffiti – 2019
Antiscene: Ondergrondse Rockcultuur In Rotterdam 1983-2003 – 2007
Brommers, Gitaren En Spandoeken: Vijftig Jaar Jong In Zeeland – 1999
Buze 50: Een Halve Eeuw Jongerencultuur In Steenwijk – 2025
Club Risiko: De Jaren Tachtig Toen En Nu – 2006
The Connected Lives Of Dutch Punks: Contesting Subcultural Boundaries – 2017
Daarom Bonzen Onze Harten Zo – Avant-Garde, Punk en de Rondos – 2023
Doornroosje: 20 Jaar Jongerencentrum – 1990
Dr. Rat: Godfather Van De Nederlandse Graffiti – 2011
Er Zit Een Ziel In: 35 Jaar Podium ’t Beest – 2015
Het Gejuich Was Massaal – Punk in Nederland 1976-1982 – 1996
Geloof De Hype! – 2024
Jong!: Jongerencultuur En Stijl In Nederland 1950-2000 – 2000
Lous Berding, 27.4.1960-5.8.1984 – 1985
De Nederlandse Cassette Catalogus 1983–1987 – 2021
No Future Nu: Punk In Nederland 1977-2012 – 2012
Nothing Going On In The City: 40 Jaar Popmuziek in Groningen – 2003
Papua Punk: Strips, Collages, Artikelen En Interviews Uit De Punk-& Reggae-Cultuur – 1982
Punk Als Verzet(je?): Een Rondje Nederpunk In De Jaren Tachtig Van De Twintigste Eeuw – 2002
Punk In Holland – 2021
Rebellie In De Jaren 80 – 2021
Studio Paradiso – 2013
Goudvishal: DIY Or Die! / Punk In Arnhem 1977-1990
Marcel Stol, Henk Wentink, Earth Island Books 2022
520 pgs, Paperback & Hardcover, Dutch & English
PPPPP *****
Grafherrie
Remco Daalder, Uitgeverij Bas Lubberhuizen 2008
132 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
Groeten Uit De Vrije Wereld: Van Cultuuroverdracht Tot De Vorming Van Een Nederpunkscene
W.A. van Rekum, Afstudeerscriptie Cultuur Geschiedenis 2011
69 pgs, Thesis on Paper, Dutch
Heethoofd: De Grote Rotterdamse Punkroman
Leen Steen, Uitgeverij Passage 2017
400 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
Johan Was Punk And He Knows It: Het niet zo alledaagse leven van Johan van de Koekrand
Johan van Leeuwen, Eigen Beheer 1997
154 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
Jozzy: Het Bips Boek
Alex van der Hulst, Literair Productiehuis Wintertuin 2013
168 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
De Paradiso Punk Jaren Deel 1: 1977, De Oerknal
Oscar Smit, Black Olive Press 2017
44 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
With punkconcertlist. PPPPP *****
De Paradiso Punk Jaren Deel 2: 1978, Het Jaar Van De Nederpunk
Oscar Smit, Black Olive Press 2018
88 pgs, Softcover & Reprint as 1 book, Dutch
(Interviews: Simon Francken/Ivy Green, Lain Barbier/Speedtwins, Nico Groen/Speedtwins, Fer Abrahams, Artikels 1: Ivy Green, Subway, Captain Coke, Speedtwins, Panic, The Filth, The Softies, 2: Lulu Zulu & The White Guys, Motorboat, The Divorce Helmettes)
With punkconcertlist. PPPPP *****
De Paradiso Punk Jaren Deel 3: 1979, Opkomst Van New Wave, Post-Punk en Poëzie
Oscar Smit, Black Olive Press 2019
44 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
Looks I got a misprint. The staples aren’t through the book and some pages are smaller than the rest. I prefered the layout from the former part, with special bands profiles and interviews. With punkconcertlist. PPPPP *****
De Paradiso Punk Jaren Deel 4: 1979-1981 Nederpunk(s) En Ultra
Oscar Smit, Black Olive Press 2021
228 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
(Ze Popes, The Bugs, Interior, Soviet Sex, VD Patients, Jezus And The Gospelfuckers, 123, Infexion, Itch, Suspenders, Pilot, Mecano, The Nitwitz, Rondos, Workmates, A4, Tecnoville, Schmutz, Clapcats, On/Off, Minny Pops, The Ex, De Groeten, Svätsox, Cheap’n’Nasty)
If you want to know more about the early days of punk in the Netherlands, then this is recommended reading! PPPPP *****
De Plasser Paradox
Nick J. Swarth, Uitgeverij IJzer Utrecht 2020
434 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
Punk Graffiti Archives: The Netherlands
Javier Abarca, Thomas Chambers, Urbanario & Hitzerot 2019
166 pgs, Softcover, English
Punk Met Een Hoofdletter R. De Politieke Ideologie Van Rotterdams Punkcollectief De Rondos 1978-1983
Anne de Rooij, Scriptie History Of Political Culture And National Identities 2012
90 pgs, Thesis on Paper, Dutch
Rhythm: Het Stripwerk Compleet & Chronologisch 1969-2011
Peter Pontiac, Oog & Blik 2011
368 pgs, Hardcover, Dutch
Rock City: Verhalen Uit Muziekstad Groningen
Igor Wijnker, Uitgeverij Passage 2017
256 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
Rockin’ On Paper, The Vera Club, A History In Posters
Ricky van Duuren, Niek Schutter, Vera 2006
316 pgs, Paperback, Dutch/English
This is the ultimate book on the Vera youthcenter. Everything and all is explained in English and Dutch Language. There’s a nice selection of posters but obviously mainly of bigger bands and concerts. The book comes with a CD containing concertclips. Highly recommended! P *****
Rock ‘n’ Roel
Roel Smit, Oog & Blik 2008
120 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
Rock Tegen De Rollen: Een Onderzoek Naar Vrouwenpunk En Feminisme In Nederland rond 1980
Pauwke Berkers, Doctoraalscriptie Cultuursociologie, Universiteit Van Tilburg 2003
214 pgs, Thesis on Paper, Dutch
Rotboek
Pim Scheelings, Henk de Tank 2008
144 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
Turquoise Dagen
Bill Mensema, Uitgeverij Passage, 2023
206 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
Bill used to work in the Vera youthcentre (in Groningen) in the beginning of the 80’s as a jack of all trades but particulary as backstagemanager and caretaker of artists. This book is about his experiences from that time (1980-1982). A bunch of concerts and artists are described: Pere Ubu, Delta 5, Bauhaus, DAF, The Fall, La Loora, Nico, UK Decay, Echo & The Bunnyman, Simple Minds, Theatre Of Hate, Allan Ginsberg, The Exploited and a trip to the first Parkpop festival in Den Haag.
Since this is a biographical novel, he uses pseudonyms and events are subjective (= very exaggerated) with alot of humor/slapstick but it’s a great read with plenty of acquaintances. It is the 5th installment of his 10 part “Decade” series which is about life in the 80’s. The next book will be about his time as a singer in Crimes Of Nature. PP *****
Uitgepunkt. De Korte Adem Van Een Subcultuur In Nederland, 1977-1982
Daan van Schijndel, Masterscriptie Nieuwste Geschiedenis Universiteit van Amsterdam 2012
76 pgs, Thesis on Paper, Dutch
Videotheek
Ralph Schippers, 2012
226 pgs, paperback, Dutch
A great novel by the vocalist of Funeral Directors. It’s about the adventures of protagonist Sjors Kops. The book is slightly biographical so you get to read about the first concert of the band (here called the Undertakers) in the Paradiso venue in Amsterdam, the dole, jobstories, etc. A really recognizable read and very recommended! PPPP *****
Vlerkwerk, 30 Jaar Underground Posters
Vlerk, Stichting Sherpa 2020
216 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
Edmund Spierts aka Vlerk used to be one of my Cimande Pencak Silat teachers in the 90’s when he was doing Inktvis Prutdukties but I totally forgot he also made posters for the Simplon and Vera youthcenters in Groningen. This marvellous book covers all his concertposters (more than 200) for Simplon from 1987 – 1996 and his years with Vera 2002 – 2009. I love his rather dark fantasy style with often some humour. There is very interesting commentary at alot of posters and often there’s alternate drawing of the same poster or preperary sketches of how a poster came to life. Even some of my bands are in it. Comes with a handnumbered silksceen and this print is 125 handnumbered. PP *****
Vlerkwerk, 30 Years Underground Posters
Vlerk, Stichting Sherpa 2020
216 pgs, Softcover, English
The same as above but all texts are translated in English language. Also comes with handnumbered silkscreen and has a print of 25. PP *****
We Could Do Not Any Better: A History Of European Straight Edge
M. Hanou & J.P. Frijns, Selfreleased 2024
704 pgs, Softcover, English
Numbered, 3 Editions (w/Obi, signatures, normal)
A really big one. The book has alot of images (often one photo on one page, all photo’s are not credited and there’s alot of photo’s of the same releases plus t-shirts) and throughout the book are numerous pieces of interviews split up in smaller pieces. Almost every chapter ends with thoughts on Straight Edge by the people who were interviewed. In the acknowledgement it appears Marc Hanou is the writer en JP Frijns the designer. Marc used to be the bassplayer for Betray in the mid 80s. They both played in Birds Of A Feather in the mid 00s.
The prologue explains Straight Edge and how the makers of the book meet. Eventually Straight Edge takes over punk because it is dead.
The 1976-1981 chapter is about communist punk band Rondos, who are considered a proto Straight Edge band. Lärm somehow spread the Straight Edge gospel in 1983 and we get stories of famous scenesters of how they got into punk. A quick history lesson follows with plenty of new facts for me.
The next chapter 1982-1988 is the story of Lärm but not only the timeline is severely fucked. Why not let members who are very easy to find, check it before publishing? Suddenly we get stories about Dezerter, Poland and Italy. Probably because the first edition of this book (108 pgs) came with the ‘The Past And The Present’ LP of Birds Of a Feather and released by Refuse Records from Poland in 2008. Back to Lärm and their influence. I come across an image of a tape that Paul/Lärm made for me in 1985. Very funny! Next is Belgium and it also mentions that the scene in my hometown Groningen fell apart in 1988. Nothing is further from the truth because we are starting to get troubles with die hard nazis (until 1994). Squatters and punx get closer to eachother because of this and a lively scene with plenty of bands (like Mushroom Attack, Catweazle, BYOB, ENE, Means To An End, etc.) and concerts (in the WNC, ‘t Klooster, Vera, Simplon, etc.) existed. There’s a big piece about Jos/Lärm and/his homosexuality.
Chapter 3, 1989-1993, is about the state of Straight Edge. There is the Profound story with a great USA piece by Marcel Palijama. The Rise Above story and the influence Youth Of Today has had on their first European tour including stories from people but nothing about Krishna which is quite remarkable. We get the making of the Betray 7” and all about JP and the scene in Limburg. In 1992 begins the first major in-scene quarrels. This also is the start of militant vegan Straight Edge (with right-wing ideas) and a new scene developing with a new generation taking over. Since women are very scarce they form the ‘The Chicks Up Front Posse’ (some sort of pre-Riot Girrrl).
1994-1999. The newly forming positive scene becomes negative to everything outside their own subscene. Stories about Mainstrike. Umeå in Sweden as ruler of the European hardcore scene. Shelter is a very big influence but no word about Krishna again. Hardcore becomes a fragmented, scattered compilation of a crust scene, metalcore scene, a Straight Edge/youth crew scene, a Eurocore scene, etc. Words about zines, a youth crew revival, record designs and a good story about the German band Acme. The Vitamin X, H8000 and Reaching Forward stories. Trying to get the Straight Edge message through mainstream media channels. Sportswear, Mainstrike and Refused stories. When they all break up, it’s the beginning of the end. Also we get some Krishna consciousness from Lord Bigma at the end of this chapter.
2000-2007. The year 2000 is terrible without one good concert. More Reaching Forward and a fourth revival emerges. A Step Forward story and more about bands, how members meet, their musical taste, etc.
2008-2023. Much more what bands and their members do. Also there’s no reaction when Lord Bigma sells Krishna literature at concerts (also no reaction from this book). Interesting is the story about Bart Griffioens’ poster with Wilders (a very populist politician) and the Marlboro logo with a health warning. Peter Amdams’ death and a retrospective.
Epilogue. Thoughts on European Straight Edge from the writer/s. Eventually it goes full circle and it is back where it started: in the hardcore scene. One sentence stayed with me: “as soon as hardcore bands leave out politics, nothing but an empty shell remains”.
The entire book and interviews are mostly about band and member status (what, where & how do they release, tour/play and what bandmembers do and think). How bands release is pretty important because we get a good deal if releases are limited, colored & what color, numbered, with a different sleeve or cover, test pressings, etc. I hoped to read about the background of Krishna (numerous punk kids were sucked into this sect), the politics of bands (hence the sentence from the epilogue above) and I.S. (= Internationale Socialisten; a communist action group), violent dancing (very aggressive windmill crews were very popular), nationalism and right-wing (carried by alot of Dutch and foreign Straight Edge bands/people in the 90s and 00s – a flag or writing with your city/province/country was not unusual), militant veganism (a popular subscene in Straight Edge with pro-life activists), etc. Everything is seen from a Straight Edge point of few while the author/s make it general, applying their views to all hardcore punk (scenes) which is quite disturbing because I’ve been playing non-stop in punk bands from 1982 until 2010 (in one band from the 90s/00s even played a member of One Day Closer) and seen/played with plenty of Straight Edge bands (also I’ve been to several Ieper Fests in the 90s and 00’s) but I can’t find myself in the stuff described. In other words, it is pretty much narrow minded. But the ink smells good! PPPP **
Willem Kolvoort: 30 Jaar Vera Posters
Willem Kolvoort, Uitgeverij Passage 2020
128pgs, Hardcover, Dutch
De Zaanse Pophistorie 1960-2020
Rob Hendriks, NBC-Oevers 2020
368 pgs, Softcover, Dutch
A definitive referenceguide about music culture in the Zaan area, just north of Amsterdam. Places like Zaandam, Wormer and Kommenie are included so plenty of stories and interviews with punks from the early period. In total there’s 24 pages about punk and overall it’s thoroughy researched and written. PP *****
Zebrapaden Door De Serengeti
Bonny van der Werf, Self-released 2024
196 pgs, Paperback, Dutch
Great! A book from and about someone who lived in the ORKZ squat and worked in the VERA youth center in Groningen in the early 80s. He also writes about local activism, squatting and going to demonstrations. Obviously most names are changed but some stay the same. My enthousiasm is tempered when I’m warned that the book is fiction mixed with non-fiction. While reading, I’m constantly thinking if it’s real or not. What is real is his tall length (over 2 metres) and that he used alot of dope. Half of the 59 chapters constantly mention his length and in almost all chapters he is stoned. He writes in a non-fiction style which is confusing. But I know why to make this fiction. It’s to cover yourself for any errors (unfortunately this happens in more books about the past). I spoke to many people about the 80s or 90s and they either can’t remember or say something false (easily checked in interviews from that period with the same person). His memory is probably very clouded by all the drugs he took at the time. But worst of all, he can’t write. It’s a long and tedious summary of experiences with people and occurances and his sense of humour doesn’t work because of his terrible writing. Probably this is the reason why he could not find a publisher and did it self-released. The title (Zebra crossings through the Serengeti) is just as much nonsense as the writing. Best to avoid. P *
On this website:
1980 – Grand Theatre Grandioos
1982 – Niks Moet, Alles Kan
1982 – Papua Punk
1984 – Inside Z-Side
1984 – De Burgeroorlog Begint Bij Basta!
1987 – 10 Jaar Simplon (1977-1987)
1990 – Ontuig
1992 – … En Morgen De Hele Wereld?
1997 – Johan Was Punk And He Knows It
2002 – Punk Als Verzet(je?): Een Rondje Nederpunk In De Jaren Tachtig Van De Twintigste Eeuw
2018 – Glasfabriek: Silver Jubilee!