“Punk Rocker” Anthology Interview with Alison Braun

Tags

anthology, Billy Idol, Brenda Perlin, Generation X, Iggy Pop, memoirs, memories, music, Punk, Punk Rocker, punkers, The Clash, The Damned

As some of you already know, I’ve contributed to an anthology called PUNK ROCKER, the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker”: top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology.

The book is available on Amazon

US https://amzn.com/B01FCBBC6W

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FCBBC6W

In the next few weeks,  I will introduce the other authors who are in on the project.

Today I have Alison Braun.

How did you get involved in the PUNK ROCKER project?

I was contacted by the author. There were not a lot of testimonials from girls at the time so I thought it was important to contribute my statement. This was especially appropriate given my status in the scene as a writer and photographer.

Without giving too much away, tell us about your short story for the anthology.

My father provided exceptional support by both nurturing my photography, and driving me to shows all over Hollywood.

What are your favourite Punk Acts, Albums and Songs?

X- Was one of my favourite bands. Their first Album Los Angeles was the soundtrack of my early punk years

What makes you laugh?

Currently, Donald Trump makes me laugh and cry at the same time

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

President Obama

What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?
Best quality, Honesty Oddest quality my love for reptiles

Who are your favourite authors? 

Tolkien, Jon Ronson, Oliver Sacks

What is your favourite book?

Clive barker; Weaveworld

What are you working on now?

Scanning thousands of negatives from my archives and creating a massive library of punk rock images.  You can follow my progress here: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonBraunPhotography/

Favorite punk rock story.

Sitting my father down with El Duce from the mentors for a beer at the Cathay deGrande. (The visuals on the were spectacular). Actually when Eldon was not drunk, he had a lot to say and had a very interesting family history dating back to the civil war.

www.alisonbraun.com

https://www.facebook.com/AlisonBraunPhotography/

About Alison Braun

Music has always been a part of my life.

In 1976 I attended a Kiss concert and watched as the photographers worked in front of the stage.

I was only 10 when I realized that I wanted to do the same. Initially I was inspired to photograph landscapes, but eventually was drawn to photographing people. For me shooting bands was a great way to not only contribute as a fan, but to also document an emerging music scene. I began taking pictures as a young teenager with a Pentax K100 that my father had given me. He was a serious amateur photographer and after a trip to Yosemite together, I was certain that I wanted to become a landscape photographer. This goal quickly changed when, at fourteen, I began using my camera as a way to gain free admittance to music clubs on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.  In exchange for a spot on the band’s guest list I traded copies of the photos I shot of the bands that played there. I spent the next several years frequenting the Whisky, Roxy, and Starwood.

My photography portfolio continued to grow while I spent time at a Hollywood recording studio and out-of-town shows.  After developing the film and printing the photos in my home darkroom, I would meet the band to deliver the pictures. My parents became reluctant hosts to various musicians who often came to our house. Eventually, I began contributing to punk rock fanzines locally and internationally.

This show represents a small selection of a body of work that is comprised of thousands of images amassed over an 11 year time period.

Alison Braun-

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