Dublin’s do-it-yourself, not-for-profit, Hope Collective launches its new book, Great Gig Memories From Punks and Friends, on November 24th. A collection of almost 200 gig memories from members of the punk community and their friends, all proceeds from the book will go to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 appeal.
The Hope Collective has been active in the punk scene since the 1980s when it arranged gigs in Ireland for bands including Fugazi, Chumbawamba, Green Day, The Membranes, Therapy? and Babes in Toyland.
More recently it has released books in support of worthy causes. The 2017 book, In Concert: Favourite Gigs of Ireland’s Music Community, raised over €5,000 for the Irish Red Cross Syrian Refugee appeal.
The new book is a response to the Covid-19 crisis and includes memories of outstanding gigs written by members of The Cure, Fugazi, The Adverts, New Model Army, The Fall, Teardrop Explodes, Gang of Four, The Ruts, Chumbawamba, CRASS, The Members, The Membranes, UK Subs, Black Flag, Babes in Toyland, L7, D.O.A. and The Levellers amongst others.
The Hope Collective also reached out to the punk scene on this island and members of Stiff Little Fingers, The Outcasts, Paranoid Visions, Radiators from Space, The Vulpynes, Female Hercules, Protex, The Golden Horde, Ruefrex, Microdisney and a legion of others wrote pieces fo the book
Compiled by Michael Murphy and Niall McGuirk who describe it as “our record collections talking about gigs that inspired them,” the book celebrates creativity, community, hope and the power of live music.
What with Christmas around the corner you could do no better than leaving this under the tree for any music fans you know and help out a good cause in the bargain. Check out the below link to grab your own copy and suss out a few bundles from Hope Collective while you’re at it…