Wednesday 30 November 2016

Donna Santisi - Ask The Angels - 1978


Santisi's yearbook of the L.A. punk and new wave scene. As a regular gig goer and later friend of some of the artists who appear in the book, Santisi captured the L.A. rock scene from a very individual viewpoint, and solely for her own pleasure. It's more a family album than rock documentary, and was printed by her friend Marcy Blaustein to be sold locally- "I saw it as a way to document what was going on in the LA scene. I felt it was important for people to know about these incredible bands and the impact they were having. Initially we put the book out because of our interest. We didn't know if or how much reception there might be on the part of others. It was solely about the project and what it meant to us more than any ideas of grandeur."  On the pages are Patti Smith, The Zeros, Ramones, The Runaways, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, John Cale and a host of local faces with Hellin Killer and Trudie on the cover.