iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I thought the last Q And Not U record from 2004, "Power," had been totally out of print for years, but I guess Dischord still has CDs in stock?! Aren't people buying those again? Well, if you want a physical copy, they still have some here: dischord.com/release/143/...

Album cover for "Power" by Q and Not U, set against a plain white background.

Key Visual Elements:

Top Row: Cut-out black and white portraits of band members tint-colored in red, yellow, orange, green, and pink. Beneath them, the band name "Q AND NOT U" is printed in black, uppercase sans-serif text along a slightly tilted baseline.

Bottom Row: A second row of cut-out portraits tinted in green, yellow, pink, red, and orange—with the figure on the far right holding an acoustic guitar that extends upward. Beneath this row, the album title "POWER" is written in bold, black sans-serif font.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I revisited 1985 w/ Jim Spellman of Velocity Girl in this episode of my WOWD radio show, This Year's Model. A computer glitch deleted the archived second half of the show, so we just have the 1st hour here - w/Prince, the Cure, Madonna, the Mice, Gray Matter & more. www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I'm proud to have written the liner notes for this one! I've been wishing for an expanded vinyl version of that original 6-song compilation CD from 1993 for ages and now here it is. Such a great band and I'm glad more people will be able to hear these songs.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Just a reminder that two Q And Not U t-shirt designs are available from our friends at Shirtkiller. Go here for more: shirtkiller.com/collections/... #PunkShirts #DischordRecords #QandNotU

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

47 years ago today - On August 24, 1979, the Slinkees played their only show in a Washington, DC garage in the Palisades neighborhood. They disbanded soon after, with members reforming as the Teen Idles. Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson subsequently founded Minor Threat at the end of 1980. #DCpunk

A black-and-white, collage-style punk show flier filled with cut-and-paste graphics, newspaper snippets, and bold typography.

Top Header: Features the slogan "Score One for Capitalism" flanked by a graphic of Coca-Cola cans on the left and an American flag on the right.

Main Band Titles: The band name THE SLINKEES is written in large, bubbly, outlined lettering over a background image of armed soldiers aiming rifles. Below, it reads "w/ THE ZONES" in sharp, stylized block text.

Show Date: A snippet of an August 1979 calendar appears on the mid-left side, with the date 24 prominently circled.

Location & Price: On the lower right, a stamp graphic reads "FREE!" over an image of a young child wearing a dress labeled with the venue address: "5746 MacARTHUR BLVD., BRIAN'S GARAGE."

Collage Details: Additional elements include a cartoon pirate character, a Timex clock graphic, a cut-out map of Africa labeled "We need your help," Pabst Extra Light beer cans next to a bold "BYO!" label, and vertical text along the left edge reading "More Spectacle Than Ritual."

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I was a guest on one of my favorite podcasts around, the Music Book Podcast hosted by Marc Masters. We talked about my book, "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C." Listen: themusicbookpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2120946/epis... #DCpunk #Fanzines #Zines #Podcast

A square, yellow-background graphic for "THE MUSIC BOOK PODCAST HOSTED BY MARC MASTERS."

The design features thick black outlines and rounded corners. On the left, four colorful stylized books form a stack: two stand vertically in orange and green, while two lie horizontally underneath in red and blue. The podcast title is stacked in black text on the upper right, and a black line separates the lower banner reading "HOSTED BY MARC MASTERS" in bold capital letters.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Listen to me and @hugoprimas.bsky.social of Black Eyes play the music of 1988 in this episode of This Year's Model, my #radio program on WOWD/Takoma Radio. We get to Public Enemy, New Order, Neneh Cherry, MBV, Pet Shop Boys, #Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Salt-n-Pepa & more. www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Check out me and @madonagraysea.bsky.social playing the music of 1978 in this episode of This Year's Model, my radio program on WOWD/Takoma Radio. www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

This episode of This Year's Model focuses on the music of 1994. It features songs from Nirvana, Madonna, Gang Starr, Shudder to Think, Unwound, Slant 6, Shellac, Pegboy, Jawbox, Sam Phillips, Sugar, Digable Planets, Sebadoh, Elvis Costello, and much more. #radio www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Happy to have the folks from @washingtonian.com include the University of Maryland in this roundup. We're always glad to have people know more about the Jim Henson archival collections we have here at Special Collection in Performing Arts. #JimHenson #Archives

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

The first video in the "Twelve Objects" series we did with Liz Lerman to highlight the Dance Exchange records at the University of Maryland's SCPA, where I'm curator. This series also celebrates 50 years of Dance Exchange! #LizLerman #Dance #Archives

youtu.be

Twelve Objects: Liz Lerman on "Dancers of the Third Age"

YouTube video by Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

I'll be joining the Disco Biblioteca book group tonight for an informal discussion of my "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C." We're at @peoplesbooktakoma.com in Takoma Park, MD. from 7-8pm tonight! #Booksky #DCpunk #Zines. Free and open to all.

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Reposted by John R. Davis

Washington City Paper @wcp.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Fifty years ago, Bethesda guitarist Kim Kane formed the Slickee Boys to record his own self-described “weird original” song. The group known for their distinct sound and even more distinct style reunites for a celebration at the 9:30 Club on Saturday.

buff.ly

Celebrating 50 Years of the Slickee Boys

The group known for the distinct sound and even more distinct style reunites for a celebration at the 9:30 Club on May 30.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

It was fun the previous two times I DJ'd at Art Sound Language in D.C., so I'm looking forward to doing it again. Come out on Friday June 5th from 6-9pm with me, Chris Richards, and Kim Coletta. It's free and it's just a good hang to see people and check out what ASL's got in the bins.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

This Vertebrates record (Bug Music, 2001) is so great and, ugh, I wish it would be reissued and more easily available. Pre-Antelope/Puff Pieces/Sensor Ghost brilliance from D.C. that reminds me of their own blend of Lungfish/Candy Machine/Fugazi. Pretty much perfect. youtu.be/fXrbeT7HpC0?...

youtu.be

Vertebrates EP

YouTube video by Abraham Hmiel

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

28 years ago today -- Fugazi, Lungfish, and the Crainium concert flier – Teamsters’ Union Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, May 12, 1998. From the John Davis collection on punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #DischordRecords #Fugazi @dischord.com #Lungfish #PunkFlyers #PunkFliers #PunkSky

Alt text for a black-and-white benefit concert flier for the Homeless Persons Representation Project.

The flier is organized into two main columns. The left column features four distinct, high-contrast woodcut or linocut-style illustrations stacked vertically. The right column contains the event text.
Left Column Illustrations:

Top: A graphic titled "HOMELESSNESS" showing several figures huddled on the ground in front of a city skyline.

Second: A man holding a large hammer stands in front of a boarded-up building. A speech bubble asks, "WHAT ARE PEOPLE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?"

Third: A scene of a protest or riot with figures raising their fists toward a giant, angry face in the background.

Bottom: The words "DO Some thing." in a large, scratchy, hand-drawn font.

Right Column Text:

Top: "Homeless Persons Representation Project which brings crucial legal services to homeless people in Baltimore's streets and shelters."

Band Lineup: Fugazi, Lungfish, and the Crainium (printed in large, bold italicized serif font).

Event Details: * 7pm Tuesday May 12, 1998

$5 all-ages

Teamsters' Union Hall, 6000 Erdman Avenue, Baltimore, MD

Ticket Info: Notes that tickets go on sale April 29th at Reptilian, Soundgarden, and Vinyl Ink. More info: Positive Force DC.

Bottom Right: The tagline "be more than a witness" in a lowercase serif font.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

This "End on End" podcast interview that I did just came out! Focus is on my my book "Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, D.C." Hoping to come back on the podcast someday to talk about Q And Not U, Corm, etc. www.buzzsprout.com/893587/episo... #booksky #DCpunk

buzzsprout.com

Keep Your Ear To The Ground : A Conversation With John Davis - End On End

Welcome to yet another EOE side-road episode! I promise to return to regular programming next episode, but I've been sitting on this great conversation for months and this seemed as good a time as any...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Appears that Dischord is running low on copies of the Elusive album (pre-Q And Not U, ex-Corm) that @expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com reissued last year on colored vinyl. I don't think this will be pressed again, so grab it now on either green or white vinyl here: dischord.com/release/EW02...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

The 2014 episode of This Year's Model, my show on Takoma Radio, is up now! Featuring Ex Hex, Alvvays, Cloud Nothings, Mitski, @protomartyr.bsky.social, Puff Pieces, Mac DeMarco, GBV, Terry Malts, Tweedy, Tony Molina, Angel Olsen, & much more: www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod... #communityradio #WOWD

A graphic with bold, slanted text on a solid medium-blue background. The entire layout is tilted at a sharp 45-degree angle, ascending from the left to the right.

The text consists of:

Top Left: The phrase "THIS YEAR'S MODEL" in a clean, white, all-caps serif font. The words are stacked in three rows.

Center/Right: The year "2014" is featured in a significantly larger, vibrant red serif font. The numerals are tall and prominent, anchoring the right side of the design and contrasting sharply against the blue and white elements.

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Reposted by John R. Davis

Chris Richards @chrisrichards.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Today is my birthday and you can help me celebrate by subscribing to my newsletter THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MAKE where I just wrote about a life-changing bday present given to me at age sixteen — a vinyl copy of “Personal Best” by TEAM DRESCH open.substack.com/pub/thefutur...

open.substack.com

See a brave tomorrow

The perpetual gift of Team Dresch’s ‘Personal Best’

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Milo @miloblue.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

yesterday i was on a panel with @jrdarchivist.bsky.social, @zinelib.bsky.social and a pair of students talking zines and punk resistance at UMD. These are some of the zines from their punk collection 🏴🏴🏴

zines: Riot Grrrl #6 and Grrrl Revolution

zine: Thrill Seeker #1 from September 1982, featuring G.I., DKs, X, Necros, D.O.A, Flesheaters, Void and Black Flag.

zine: Fake #0 featuring Natin of Ulysses, CopShootCop, Bikini Kill, and Circus Lupus

zine: Capitol Crisisi #1 from November 1980

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

The 1965 episode of This Year's Model, my show on Takoma Radio, is up now! Featuring the Beatles, the Supremes, Dylan, Astrud Gilberto, the Kinks, the Who, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Fuller, Gloria Jones, the Byrds, Lesley Gore, Shirley Ellis, Otis Redding, & much more: www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

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Chris Richards @chrisrichards.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I asked KATIE ALICE GREER about music as place-channeling and her answer really floored me open.substack.com/pub/thefutur...

open.substack.com

One question interview with Katie Alice Greer

Priests earned their rep as one of the most eruptive D.C.

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Lady Froldmagen (she/her) @zinelib.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

I'm moderating a panel with my ZFF @miloblue.bsky.social from the @qzap.bsky.social, @jrdarchivist.bsky.social of the DC Punk Archive and students Diya Shah & Alexa Boltaz who edit a campus zine. It's at UMD on Sat 4/18. Join us! We'll talk about important stuff that makes you feel good, not bad.

Flyer for Punk Resistance: Zines & Counter Culture Activism with the "punk resistance" letters in ransom text style, as if they were cut and pasted.

Saturday, April 18, 1-3pm at MSPAL

Text about the panel that I can't OCR; logos for co-sponsors AADHUM, University Libraries, and College of Information

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

I just saw that Dischord Direct was down to their last copy on vinyl of "It Was Easy," the debut LP from my old group, Title Tracks. If you don't have it, I don't think it'll ever be repressed, so this might be a last chance? dischord.com/release/ERJ6...

dischord.com

Title Tracks - It Was Easy (ERJ62)

This is the debut full-length from John Davis' (Q And Not U) solo band, Title Tracks. This album contains different versions of the 2 songs released on the band's Dischord single.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

I'll be in conversation tomorrow (April 9 at 1:15pm) with Dr. Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner about @univofmaryland.bsky.social's D.C. punk fanzine collection as part of the 2026 D.C. Queer Studies Symposium in the Stamp's Carroll Room at UMD. The event is free & RSVP here: wgss.umd.edu/events/2026-...

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Reposted by John R. Davis

Steve Kiviat @dcsuburbanite.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Howard Wuelfing who put out an anthology of his late '70s/early 80s DC punk zines -Descenes & Discords will be part of a chat w/Mark Jenkins (who did zines, a DC punk book & more) & John R. Davis (book on dc punk zines) about Wuelfing's zines and dc punk April 11 @ 2-3:30 pm @ MLK Library

dclibrary.libnet.info

Author Talk: Descenes and Dischords

Author talk discussing the fanzines Descenes and Discords. Event starts at April 11, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Another episode of This Year's Model on WOWD! This one covers music from 1991, including Nirvana, A Tribe Called Quest, @theebikinikill.bsky.social, Teenage Fanclub, Massive Attack, @remhq.bsky.social, Public Enemy, Matthew Sweet, Throwing Muses, De La Soul & more. www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

A graphic featuring bold, slanted text against a solid blue background. The entire design is tilted at roughly a 45-degree angle, rising from the bottom left toward the top right.

The text is arranged in two distinct sections:

Top Left: The words "THIS'S YEAR'S MODEL" are stacked in three lines of white, capitalized serif font. The letters are tightly spaced, creating a compact block of text.

Center/Right: The number "1991" is printed in a much larger, bright red serif font, dominating the lower half of the composition and overlapping slightly with the word "MODEL."

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

I'll be talking with Howard Wuelfing and Mark Jenkins about Howard's new book on the Descenes/Discords fanzines he published from '79-'81. It's Saturday, April 11 from 2-3:30 in the New Books Room at the MLK Library (@dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social) in NW DC. dclibrary.libnet.info/event/16021018

dclibrary.libnet.info

Author Talk: Descenes and Dischords

Author talk discussing the fanzines Descenes and Discords. Event starts at April 11, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Favorite book published in 1976: "Easter Parade" by Richard Yates. What's yours? #Booksky

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Ten year anniversary for the final Title Tracks album this year! Hard to believe. We didn't tour on this one so I don't think it got heard as much, but it's probably my favorite of the three and there are still LPs left for those who are interested.

titletracks.bandcamp.com

Long Dream, by Title Tracks

10 track album

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

46 years ago today - Flier for Teen Idles, Bad Brains, the Enzymes, the Untouchables, Tru Fax and the Insaniacs concerts - Madam's Organ, Washington, D.C., March 14-15, 1980. From the Sharon Cheslow punk flyers collection at the U. of Maryland. #DCpunk #DChardcore #BadBrains #DischordRecords #Punk

A collage-style black-and-white punk flier for a benefit show, dominated by a large, diagonal graphic of a 1-liter Coca-Cola bottle. The design uses a mix of cut-and-paste text, hand-drawn lettering, and photocopied elements.

The text and details are layered throughout the composition:

Top Right: The headliners TEEN IDLES are written in large, scratchy, hand-drawn letters, followed by BAD BRAINS in cut-out letters and ENZYMES in a cursive script.

Bottom Right: Additional bands UNTOUCHABLES (in a stencil font) and TRU FAX + INSANIACS written by hand are listed.

Left Side: A price tag graphic lists "$3.00 or $4.00." Below the bottle label, it reads "BENEFIT AT MADAM'S ORGAN, 2318 18th St. NW."

Bottom Left: A March 1980 calendar is shown with 14 and 15 circled. Tiny illustrations of figures on bicycles are positioned above the dates.

Small Details: Various "14th" and "15th" markers are scattered on the right, including a clock face pointing to 10:00 and a "15" inside a hand-drawn TV or box.

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Reposted by John R. Davis

Chris Richards @chrisrichards.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Glad this story is being told but I’m extremely disappointed that it fails to mention that The Washington Post has laid off nearly all of its arts critics A decades-deep legacy of arts coverage has been destroyed here and it hurts our city and our world www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/b...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

40 years ago today - Gray Matter and Embrace concert flier, 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C., March 13, 1986. From the Sharon Cheslow Punk Flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #GrayMatterBand #GrayMatterDC #EmbraceDC #DischordRecords @dischord.com #Emocore #Emo #PunkFlyers #930Club

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

37 years ago today -- Edsel, Mo Pagans, and Shudder to Think concert flier, BBQ Iguana, Washington, D.C., March 12, 1989. From the Sharon Cheslow punk flyers collection at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #ShudderToThink #PunkSky #PunkFliers #PunkFlyers #DCinThe80s

A lo-fi, DIY concert flier printed on green paper with a distressed, splattered aesthetic. Black ink splatters and smudges cover the page, including a prominent set of fingerprints near the bottom center.

The text is arranged as follows:

Top left: The band names EDSEL, MO PAGANS, and SHUDDER TO THINK are printed in a classic serif font.

Center: The words "aRT wOrk" are stamped in a blocky, typewriter-style font amidst the splatters.

Bottom right (handwritten): A small handwritten note reads "1413 P St."

Bottom edge: Event details are printed in a large serif font: "$5, 8pm ; 3.12 at BBQ IG."

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Reposted by John R. Davis

Caitlin Gibson @caitjgibson.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

@chrisrichards.bsky.social on the sound and feel of Fugazi's long scrapped/newly released "Albini Sessions": "The central miracle of 'In on the Killtaker' is that it’s this crushingly severe album that managed to achieve escape velocity. With Albini, they were still feeling out the gravity."

open.substack.com

I will not lie I will not lie I will not lie

Listening to — and looking at — a Fugazi album that didn’t exist

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Inside the D.C. punk archives here at the University of Maryland. #PunkArchives #DCpunk #UMD #Archives

Shelving filled with boxes in an archival collections room. The back wall in the photo is an art rack with several framed items hanging from it.

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

On the heels of yesterday's announcement of the 1958 show, here's another one! LIsten to the 1977 episode of This Year's Model. So many great songs in this one - Ramones, Donna Summer, Chic, the Clash, Pistols, 999, Bob Marley, Buzzcocks, Joe Gibbs, & much more. www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

mixcloud.com

TYM0019: This Year's Model: 1977 - February 4, 2026

This episode of This Year's Model focuses on the music of 1977. It features songs from the Sex Pistols, Donna Summer, Elvis Costello, 999, Chic, the Ramones, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Brick, the Jam, Plas...

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Reposted by John R. Davis

College of Arts and Humanities at UMD @umd-arhu.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Do not miss Stephanie Shonekan’s Feb. 24 book talk at @peoplesbooktakoma.com on Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Sorrow, Tears and Blood. Explore how music shaped political resistance and cultural identity. Register now: arhu.umd.edu/events/steph...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Listen to the 1958 episode my radio show on WOWD, This Year's Model -- Eddie Cochran, Baby Washington, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, the Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, Elizabeth Cotten, Chuck Berry, Link Wray, Chet Baker and much more. www.mixcloud.com/thisyearsmod...

mixcloud.com

TYM0018: This Year's Model: 1958 - January 21, 2026

This episode of This Year's Model focuses on the music of 1958. It features songs from Eddie Cochran, Baby Washington, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Elvis Presley, Connie Francis , the Everly Brothers...

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

31 years ago today - Jawbox concert flier - HUB Ballroom, University Park, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1995. From the Chris Baronner digital collection on D.C. punk at the University of Maryland. #DCpunk #Jawbox #DischordRecords #AtlanticRecords #DesotoRecords #PunkFliers #PunkFlyers #AlternativeRock

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Reposted by John R. Davis

The Best Album of 2001 @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Fugazi, THE ARGUMENT

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John R. Davis @jrdarchivist.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

My good friend Chris Richards is starting a music newsletter that will be worth your time. One way to push back against what's happening in the media -- among other places -- right now is to subscribe directly to writers and local, independent outlets, so let's do that. Draw strength from community.

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Reposted by John R. Davis

Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Very sad to see one of the richest men in the world continue to demolish my hometown paper, solidarity with all the hard-working Washington Post journalists who have continued to report and write irreplaceable journalism in the face of such willful neglect

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