Boston Rocks circa 1985-1990

I started photographing the underground Boston band scene in the early 80s, with the occasional out-of-town or national band thrown in for good measure. Here is just a sampling of my work during that timeframe. Done mostly with my trusty Canon AE-1..a little workhorse. I can't tell you how many times I dropped it and it still worked every time. I had to keep a hand free for a cigarette and/or a drink, you know...so it made things difficult. Everyone smoked and drank back in the day.

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Anyway...enjoy the visuals and the HAIR...lots of hair back then. Anyone from the Boston area around that time I'm sure will remember bands such as the Neighborhoods, the Heretix, Tribe, etc. Good times...good times. (hmmm...looks like I had a bit of a crush on David Minehan of the Neighborhoods, doesn't it? lol Can you blame me?)

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Boston
• photography
• rock
• bands
• underground
• music
• Neighborhoods
• Royal
• Pimps
• Ball
• and
• Pivot
• Tribe
• Heretix

[theborg]

So strange. I was good friends with your "Channel Girls". Did you know them? They usually hung out in the Living Room in RI, not Boston.

[LeopardJoy]

@theborg Hi...no, I didn't know them. They just agreed to pose for a picture for me. They just looked very cool to me and the area there near the Ladies Room had an awesome mural on the wall...it just made for a great shot. Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed the vid.

Best,

Joy

[66trem]

Hi Joy,

I believe I am the Punk in your collection. I believe I was walking up Lansdowne St. on a Sat, and you asked to take my photo. Were/are you married to the git player from Steel Assassin? Regardless, I loved your pics, and it brought me back to an amazing time of Boston Rock. The Boston bands were so good, and there were so many! Great job!

Ted Condo (formerly of 6L6)

[LeopardJoy]

@66trem Hi Ted! Well, my punk is finally identified! Yes, it probably was a Saturday on Lansdowne St....I may have been out taking photos for my Photography classes a New England School of Photography in Kenmore Sq. No, I'm not married to the guitarist from Steel Assassin...maybe I wish I was??? lol Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad to have brought back a few good memories for you :) I live in California now but am ALWAYS homesick for my beloved Boston (and hope to return soon :)

Best,

Joy

[DeborahS100]

This is so great. I lived in Boston from 1977 - 1982 (in London since) and recognise some of these faces - the lovely David Minehan and Johnny Angel. There was nothing like The Rat. And the Club. And Cantones. And the Channel. I never had so much fun in all my life. We saw everybody. The best nights were The Real Kids, Nervous Eaters and the Hoods on a triple bill! Every night another gig another venue. Boston really did rock.

[LeopardJoy]

@DeborahS100 ...thanks for stopping by Deborah! Ah yes...Cantones, the Channel, the Rat...wish I could go back for just a night, you know? See the 'Hoods and maybe the Nervous Eaters! Those were the days! It's great to have good memories, isn't it? :)

Best,

Joy

[theborg]

@LeopardJoy For the record, that's Missy (the blonde) with her cousin Ronda. They went clubbing more than anyone I knew. I think Missy once told me she saw the Ramones about 24 times. I would love to know what show this was. I was only at the Channel once and that was for the Plasmatics :)

[kimrileymusic]

Wow this is so great, thanks for this! Please post more!!

[kimrileymusic]

@hippostomp7 It was the "Satanics" that recorded that one, after they were done with the "Titanics!"

[Carabing]

The Channel always rocked...We will NEVER see a scene like that again, Iam so glad to have been part of it!

[DeborahS100]

I would love to see Steve C and David again. Saw David and Lee mid 90's opening for Jonathan Richam at the Channel which was great fun. But hjave not seen the gorgeous Cataldo in years. I come back to visit once a year to see my family - should try and catch a gig. Love from London. xx