Review of a book on the Rockford, Illinois, punk rock scene

A review on the book, Out of the Basement: From Cheap Trick to DIY Punk in Rockford, Illinois, 1973-2005, by David Ensminger.

Review: Out of the Basement Describes the Birth of the Punk Scene in Rockford

by Kate Scott

Out of the Basement: From Cheap Trick to DIY Punk in Rockford, Illinois, 1973-2005 is an autobiographical look at how the punk music scene started in David Ensminger’s hometown of Rockford, Illinois. It’s published by Microcosm Publishing, a Portland based co-operative press.

In the 1980s, Reaganomics ruled America. Taxes were raised 11 times during Reagan’s administration, and a chasm divided the wealthy and working class. Suburban families nestled comfortably on the outskirts of ‘dangerous’ cities, hoping to shield their children from the perils of crack cocaine and rampant violence. The political and cultural divide helped to bring punk rock, one of the most passionate and powerful genres of music, to the front of millions of conflicted teens’ minds and mouths. In Out of the Basement, author David A. Ensminger takes readers to the Illinois town of Rockford (home of the quintessential rock band Cheap Trick) and captures how important punk can be for those who are lost, awkward and pissed off.

Rockford, Illinois, is not a small town. Home to more than 150,000 people, and less than 100 miles west of Chicago, Rockford was designed to be an industrial hub and boasted huge economic development. However, as employment and production in the Rust Belt declined, the unemployment rate for blue collar workers in Rockford skyrocketed to nearly 26% in the 1980s. Segregation in the town prompted additional discord between residents. Those who made money and considered themselves above the working class attempted to keep their family on the “rich” side of town. Ensminger paints a portrait of the ‘80s in Rockford from his teen years playing punk music there: “Rockford was not just another bummed out Midwest town; it became one of the worst, replete with a withering economy and a moral austerity as well.”

For bored and disillusioned adolescents confronted by the sharp and sudden dilapidation of their city, a fierce rebellion arose in Rockford. Dozens of small punk bands formed and played wherever they could. On any given weekend, teens could go to the skating rink, 4H club, or almost any open garage and find a group of sweaty, awkward kids playing three chords with every ounce of energy they had. As punk became the blood that pumped through his veins, Ensminger spent nearly every waking moment devoted to music and his first band, Vital Signs.

Ensminger doesn’t assume his readers are punk philistines. He references some of the genre’s key members (Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Plasmatics) without sitting the reader down and explaining who these bands are. A bit of punk knowledge is required for this book, but for the local (often unsuccessful) Rockford bands, he interviews musicians and friends and accompanies these stories with old photos and concert flyers. Consider looking these bands up and listening to their music while reading, because these stories are only further amplified with song.

Not just a love note to punk music, Ensminger’s book is also an autobiography of how growing up in a dying town shaped his future. He discusses the conundrum of living in a town that’s close to two of the midwest’s biggest cities: Milwaukee and Chicago. Punks who stayed in Rockford either resent those for leaving or were jealous because they couldn’t find the resources to leave themselves. Because of this, the noise coming out of Rockford became louder and more aggressive, pushing against the mainstream bands of the ’80s ( Journey, Foreigner and Duran Duran). But with this uprising came a blend of genres. Punk became rock, rock became metal, metal became punk.

“This meant crowds became more inclusive, democratic, and youthful, less geared towards booze-fueled tirades and more fueled towards slam dancing and skate-til-death/skate-and-destroy mentalities. Soon, gigs were attracting hundreds of kids zooming in from every direction. The punk nucleus widened considerably.”

Without Ensminger’s collective narrative, it’s safe to say many of these stories of garage bands and punk-rock debauchery would never have reached an audience wider than Rockford itself. The book covers four decades of music and politics, yet the core of the punk movement remains firmly in the 1980s. After Ensminger left Rockford to see what the world had to offer him, he found other cities to call his home. He never tries to dig up those Rust Belt roots, and his age reflects the pride he finally feels in his town. “I left, went West in 1993…Still, I always know that others lived just as boldly, just as creatively, purposefully, and witty, back in Rockford…” And, while his story may mostly take place in this distant exurb of Chicago, its communal tales and universal sound will resonate with everyone.

Read the review here.

Discarded 1982 timeline I made for my series

This is just a timeline I made of things that happened in 1982, both punk-related and just general. But unfortunately, after I got it this far, I realized my story would work better in 1984. Still working at that timeline. When I get it done, I'll post it.

In case, anyone is curious, New London Center of Performing Arts, The Krent-Sherman Theater, The Holly or The HVR (short for The Holly/Valens/Richardson Ballroom), Harry's (short for So Hairy), Mary's Your Mother, and Windsor Auditorium are made up venues for New London.

- Popular tv shows - 60 Minutes, Dallas, MASH, Magnum PI, Dynasty, Three's Company, Falcon Crest, Love Boat, Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, Hart to Hart, Hill Street Blues, That's Incredible, Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Dukes of Hazzard, Greatest American Hero, 20/20, Benson, Cheers, Taxi, TJ Hooker, Fantasy Island

- Ended in 82 - WKRP n Cincinnati, Incredible Hulk, Mork and Mindy, Barney Miller, Lou Grant, Little House on the Prairie 

- Start in 82 - Square Pegs, Knight Rider, Family Ties, Newhart, St Elsewhere 

JANUARY

• Jan - average for Iowa -0.7F
• 1-1 - Mommy's Little Monster by Social Distortion released.
• 1-2 - 18" of snow
• 1-4 - 6" of snow
• 1-10 - -23F. Wind chill -54F. Anniversary of seeing Sex Pistols in Dallas in '78. Joe and Snotty constantly tell the story. Snotty tells him a note exciting story than Joe. Left early that morning. Got there only a half hour early (just barely in time per Snotty). After the show, got drunk with some locals who were trouble makers("real life cowboys who were drug dealers" per Snotty). Got arrested. Let go ("only if they promised not to return" per Snotty.
• 1-11 - schools closed
• 1-17 - Cold Sunday. Record cold across US. Chicago averaged 12.2F for Jan.
• 1-20 - Ozzy bites head off bat. -16F. Fanny ask Joe to come "so not have to go alone". Joe drags Snotty along. Fanny starts to become attracted to Joe.
• 1-22/23 - 6" snow
• 1-29 - Black Flag/Husker Du in Chicago
• 1-31 - Chips punk rock episode

FEBRUARY

• 2-1 - David Letterman starts
• 2-3 - Police (band) at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 2-5 - Bad Brains self-titled released.
• 2-14 to 20 - Damned in New London at Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 2-14 - Valentine's Day. Characters' reactions to it and thoughts on it.
• 2-19 - Ozzy pisses on Alamo
• 2-21 - Johnny Cash at New London Center of Performing Arts.

MARCH

• 3-1 - Misfits, Walk Among Us released.
• 3-4 - Wild in the Streets by Circle Jerks released.
• 3-5 - John Belushi dies
• 3-5, 7, or 8 - R.E.M. in New London at Harry's. With David Zollo and Bob Tyler.
• 3-10 - Astrophysicist John Gribbin says planetary alignment would cause ends of world. Pat Robertson said in 1976 world would end in 1982.
• 3-15 or 18 - Ramones in New London at Krent-Sherman. (In Cleveland 3-16 and Detroit 3-17.)
• 3-17 - movie Atomic Cafe
• 3-18 - Andy Partridge walks off stage from in Paris with nervous breakdown. Rumored to be dead causing tribute shows in US. US tour cancelled after one show on 4-3.
• 3-20 - UK Subs/Anti-Nowhere League at New London's Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 3-24 - The Name of The Band is Taking Heads released.
• = Mar/Apr - Disappointment with I Love Rock and Roll at #1? Hanna happy?

APRIL

• early April, below 40F, and some days below 32F. Reminisce of Hoth. Riding wooly mammoth. Says "Then I'll see you in hell!"
• 4-2 - F1 tornado in Iowa. 17 tornadoes in country.
• 4-3 - largest temp change in MN (78 to 7)
• 4-5 - 8" snow. B-52's playing in Minneapolis.
• early Apr, Joe dreams or writes story of next ice age.
• 4-7 - movie Basketcase opens.
• 4-9 - Misfits/Necros at The Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 4-11 or 15 - Bad Brains live at The Krent-Sherman Theater
• 4-15 - City Baby Attacked By Rats by GBH rehearsed.
• 4-17 - Johnny Cash on Saturday Night Live
• 4-19 - Laurie Anderson, Big Science released. Blows Joe away.
• 4-19 to 20 - Yom HaShoah. Holocaust Memorial Day. Sunset to sunset. Snotty observes this day. Mother is Holocaust survivor.
• 4-20, 25, 27, 29 - R.E.M. at New London's Vaudeville. With David Zollo and Bob Tyler.
• 4-23 to 5-2 = Sweeney Todd at New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 4-26 - Joe Strummer disappears for three weeks! Have to do something with this!
• 4-28 to 29 - Yom HaAtzma'ut. Israel Independence Day.
• 4-30 - Lester Bangs dies.

MAY

• May - Joe and Snotty fight over Combat Rock.
• May - self-titled album by Anti-Nowhere League released.
• 5-2 – The Weather Channel airs for the first time.
• 5-3 - Modern English, After the Snow released.
• 5-7 to 16 - Camelot w/Richard Harris playing at New London Center for the Performaning Arts.
• 5-8 - Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing by Discharge released.
• 5-11 to 23 - The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 5-14 - Conan the Barbarian opened.
• 5-15 - Troops of Tomorrow by The Exploited released.
• 5-15 - F1 tornado.
• 5-20 - F0 tornado/F1 tornado.
• 5-23 - The Clash in Omaha
• 5-29 - Marion, IL, tornado.

JUNE

• Jun - When The Punks Go Marching In by Abrasive Wheels released.
• Jun - Joe driving everyone crazy cus Wrath of Khan, Poltergeist, E.T., Bladerunner, and Thing all come out in June with Conan just 2 weeks before and Tron nine days after.
• 6-4 - Wrath of Khan opens. Joe had a Trek fantasy?
• 6-4 - Poltergeist opens.
• 6-9 - Steal Ringgold, IA, hailstorm. .75 to 2 inches.
• 6-11 - E.T. opens. Joe and Zuzu love it and Snotty and Hanna hate it?
• 6-12 – A rally against nuclear weapons draws 750,000 to New York City's Central Park. Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, and Linda Ronstadt attend. Gang would hate the music, but go to keep up their county of shows. An international convocation at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine features prominent peace activists from around the world and afterward participants march on Fifth Avenue to Central Park for the rally. Road trip for gang?
• 6-13 - Beach Boys playing New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 6-14 and 15 - The Kitchen Tour with hip-hop acts at Iowa City. Hanna and Zuzu go.
• 6-15 - F1 tornado.
• 6-15 - Stand Strong Stand Proud by Vice Squad released.
• 6-21 - End of the world according to a Los Angeles Times as from Benjamin Creme. Pat Robertson predicted 1982 as the end in 1976. The Vaudeville had an End of the World Party with local bands.
• 6-22 - Black Flag/Saccharine Trust at The Krent-Sherman. Henry Rollins offer her two back stage passes. Gives them to Snotty and Hanna.
• 6-22 - Bonnie Raitt at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 6-25 - Bladerunner opens. Joe goes nuts over it. Starts dressing like Deckard. Drives everyone crazy?
• 6-25 - The Thing opens.
• 6-27 or 28 - Jimmy Buffett at New London Center for the Performing Arts.

JULY

• 7-3 - Movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas opens. Hanna tries to sneak out to see it while Joe is going sci fi crazy? Dreams or daydreams gang in the early, wild, rebellious, drug-taking, hard drinking days of country music?
• 7-4 - Not sure what, but want to do something with punk vs patriotism
• 7-5 and 7 - Asia playing in Omaha.
• 7-9 - Tron opens.
• 7-12 - Elton John at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 7-13 to 25 - Annie at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 7-16 - Billy Idol by Billy Idol released.
• 7-30 or 8-1 - Wall of Voodoo at The Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 7-31 - Genesis at New London Center for the Performing Arts.

AUGUST

• 8-1 or 3 - X at The Krent-Sherman Theater. Visit Andie in Harry's. (In Minneapolis 8-2.)
• 8/2 to 15 - A Chorus Line at New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 8-3 or 5 - Loretta Lynn at The Holly. (8-4 at Ionia County Fair, MI)
• 8-4 - Van Halen at Windsor Auditorium.
• 8-6 - Elvis Costello at ISU.
• 8-6 - Kool & the Gang at The Holly.
• 8-8 - John Denver at the Holly.
• 8-10 - Grateful Dead at ISU.
• 8-12 - Doobie Brothers at Windsor Auditorium.
• 8-12 - Clash at ISU. Stops by the Vaudeville during the day. Friends with Andi from when played Vaudeville before famous. (In Minneapolis 8-11 and Chicago 8-13.)
• 8-13 - Fast times at Ridgemont high. And Sep, Square Pegs start. Flashback story to the gang's high school days in late 70s as each found punk and what it meant for them? Joe and Snotty introduced by Joe's older brother.
• 8-13, 15, or 18 - Kurtis Blow at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 8-14 - Ted Nugent at ISU.
• 8-16 - Queen at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 8-24 - Chronic Town by R.E.M. released.
• 8-25 - Olivia Newton-John at ISU.
• 8-26 - Dolly Parton in New London. (In KC on 8-24. In Ilinois 8-28.)
• 8-30 - Band Cameo at Windsor Auditorium.
• 8-30 - Crosby, Stills, and Nash in Omaha.

SEPTEMBER

• Sep - Square Pegs tv show
• 9-1 - Social Distortion at New London's Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 9-3 to 5 - US Festival. The whole gang goes?
• 9-4 - Milo Goes to College by Descendents released.
• 9-5 - Johnny Gosch goes missing. Maybe switch it to New London and their paperboy?
• 9-8 - Rush at the New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 9-9 - The Gap Band at New London Center of the Performing Arts.
• 9-10 - Black Flag in New London at Hoyt Sherman. (9-7 to 9 in IL and NE.)
• 9-15 - REO Speedwagon at New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 9-16 - Violent Femmes play at The Vaudeville. (In Minneapolis 9-15.)
• 9-18 to 19 - Rosh Hashanah 5743. Jewish New Year. Snotty treats it like Gregorian New Year! Countdown before sunset and drinking! And blows an animal horn.
• 9-21 - R.E.M./Charlie Burton & The Cutouts at restaurant Drumstick with no stage in Lincoln, NE, but other punk acts played.
• 9-22 - Steve Miller Band at New London Center for the Performing Arts.
• 9-25 to 26 - Erev Yom Kippur. Eve of Yom Kippur. Sunset to sunset. Supposed to ask for forgiveness. If anyone expects forgiveness from Snotty, he usually tells them to fuck off.
• 9-26 to 27 - Yom Kippur. Day of Atonement. Sunset to sunset. Snotty eats a big meal before going to parents because he has to fast at home. Refuses to take Sandra.
• 9-27 - R.E.M./Gang of Four at Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 9-30 - The Who / The Clash / Eddie Money in Detroit. Snotty volunteers to come along, but grumbles whole way about this "dinosaur sellout band and how The Clash is heading there" even though he kinda likes The Who and the show.

OCTOBER

• Oct - Dead Kennedys, Plastic Surgery Disasters released.
• 10-9 - Band Chicago at ISU.
• 10-10 - Creepshow
• 10-15 - Cedar Falls. Who "farewell" tour. Joe and Fanny go. 10-21 - Oh No! It's Devo! released. Joe's extreme disappointment. Pretends to like it?
• 10-25 - Fleetwood Mac in Cedar Falls.

NOVEMBER

• Nov/Dec - Unemployment at 10.8%. one character loses job? One of their parents loses job? Snotty or Zuzu's dad loses job?
• 11-3 (Minneapolis) / 11-6 (Detroit) / 11-7 (East Lansing, MI) / 11-9 (Cleveland) - Devo live. Joe thinking of not going. Dragged to all shows by Devo-tees (Devo lover group in New London)?
• 11-5 - Madness, The Rise & Fall / A Kiss in the Dreamhouse released by Siouxsie and the Banshees
• 11-9 - Numan at Krent-Sherman Theater. (In Chicago 11-8.)
• 11-9 - Clash on Saturday Night Live. Flashback to Fear and earlier punk/alternative acts on Saturday Night Live - Devo, Bowie with Klaus Nomi, Elvis Costello famously changing songs, Specials?
• 11-11 F0 tornado
• 11-17 - Life Day. Joe has VHS of Start Wars Holiday Special.
• 11-18, 19, or 24 - Wall of Voodoo at Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 11-25 - Each character's Thanksgiving at home. Snotty and Sandra go to one or the other's parents? Minneapolis fire? One has Thanksgiving there with relatives? Have similar fire for New London? Hurricane Iwa in Hawaii? Relative or side character vacationing?
• 11-25 to 27 - Jamaica World Music Festival
• 11-27 - Rock Super Bowl in Orlando, FL, with Who, Joan Jett, and B-52's.
• 11-30 (Houston) / 12-1 (Dallas) / 12-2 (Austin) / 12-3 Oklahoma City / 12-5 (Tulsa) - Devo live. Joe thinking of not going. Dragged to all shows by Devo-tees (Devo lover group in New London)?
• Quincy (12-1-82) and Chips (1-31-82) and CPO Sharkey (3-24-78) punk episodes. Maybe a dream? Dream they're in the episode? Death at club? Band called Coroner's Office whose told they have a good band. Punk version of Celebration at the end by Latino punk band.

DECEMBER

• Dec - midwest floods, record highs in the 60s
• 12-8 - Ghandi movie. Tsepo complains about and refuses to see movie about racist Ghandi? Discuss Ghand's racist views in apartheid South Africa?
• 12-10 - Bauhaus in New London at Krent-Sherman Theater. Zuzu misses it for Tsepo?
• 12-10 – The South African Defence Force stages a pre-dawn raid on houses inhabited by African National Congress in Maseru, Lesotho. Kills Tsepo's husband? Hear about raid and husband's death.
• 12-13 or 14 - Sonic Youth/Swans in Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 12-17 - Dark Crystal
• 12-24 - F4 tornado in AK/MO
• 12-25 - 58F. Snotty in shorts and t-shirt. Gang decides to skip Christmas with families and instead hangs out together. Goes terribly wrong? Sorta like Christmas Vacation? Floods and Christmas Eve tornado part of that?
• 12-28 - 10 inches of snow. "You had to ask for some real Christmas snow? Well, a few days late, but you got it! Give me back my spring weather!" / Miami race riot. Power goes out at black friend's place? Watch riot at their place.
• 12-30 - Cramps at The Krent-Sherman Theater.
• 12-31 - Some kind of wrap up at NYE punk show with local bands at club. Most characters there. Bob's ska band, Lipstick Homicide, Hollowmen, Rugged Individualists, and Okay Mom! playing. Fanny kisses Joe at midnight to his surprise? Snotty and Sandra kissing. Maybe making up after a fight? Hanna and Zuzu hidden outside kissing. Show midnight at other character's places. Gary and Mrs C give each other toast at rental shop with Goyangi on Gary's lap. Tsepo asleep while boys celebrating. Devo lying close to Tchulu and she's looking tolerant. Officer Parker letting some kids go.

Labels: 1982, 80s, albums, book, characters, concerts, history, Judaism, main characters, movies, performances, politics, protests, records, series, shows (live music), shows (tv), timeline, tv shows