Culture from the Slums: Punk Rock in East and West Germany.

This monograph provides a comprehensive history of German punk between the 1970s and 1980s, uniquely covering both West and East German scenes during the Cold War. It highlights how socio-economic and political contexts shaped distinct punk subcultures in the two German states, with West German punk evolving through independent labels and clubs, while East German punk found refuge primarily within church spaces. The work emphasizes punk’s dual nature as both a revolutionary youth culture and a party scene, noting its radicalization in the early 1980s and subsequent diversification into subgenres like Kunstpunk and Funpunk. The author’s extensive archival research offers detailed insights into music, politics, and style, though the study focuses more on bands and records than on broader social backgrounds or related cultural expressions.