Description
SHOT FROM BOTH SIDES is based around the live gig photography of Paul May, a punk from Grays, Essex, in the UK. In the 80s, Paul took hundreds of photos of punks, and punk bands, documented the gigs he saw, ran a tape label, and did the cult punk fanzine Final Curtain. Ordered chronologically, SHOT FROM BOTH SIDES sets the tone for each year from 1981 to 1986 with a recap of important historic and political events, notable records, tapes, and fanzines that were released. Each section of photos culminates with personal memoirs from a diverse mixture of figures and band members giving context to the photos, gigs, the era, and spilling forth some great stories that you won’t likely get elsewhere, and features a selection of relevant ephemera and additional photos, from unseen Nick Blinko sketches to flyers, ticket stubs, and set lists of bands large and small.
What emanated out of Paul’s zine in the 80s was a limitless amount of youthful enthusiasm. Someone who wanted not only to be there and participate, but to share what he loved with as many people as possible, someone who was less concerned with trends, and just as excited about the newest unknown band who just done their first gig, to the newest record by an established band. It’s completely unsurprising to me that Paul is still at gigs, still buying records, still taking photos, and still sharing and participating in the DIY punk community. The manner in which this book is compiled does a great job at showing that same enthusiasm, and gives a rare view into what it was like to live through the punk scene in the UK at the time.
1st Edition December 1st 2025
Hard back 3mm board
492 pages
232×297 mm
130 gsm silk paper
2.50 kg