Descenes and Discords: An Anthology is a powerful time capsule of the birth and evolution of punk music through the pages of two influential fanzines: Descenes and Discords. These publications, originally printed and distributed in Washington, D.C. during the late 1970s and early 1980s, captured the raw energy, irreverent spirit, and revolutionary ethos of the underground music scene — first local, then national.

Published by writer and musician Howard Wuelfing, Descenes began as a hyperlocal chronicle of D.C.’s burgeoning punk and post-punk community. It featured scene reports, interviews, and passionate reviews of now-legendary acts like Bad Brains, Slickee Boys, and Half Japanese. As the punk movement grew beyond the Beltway, Discords picked up the baton with a wider lens — covering bands like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and many more, all with the same DIY authenticity and zero-corporate gloss. It also marked the being of the now-legendary scene report known as “Jersey Beat.”

Descenes and Discords: An Anthology presents full facsimiles of every issue of both zines, preserving the original cut-and-paste layouts, typewritten rants, and Xeroxed charm that defined a generation of independent media. The anthology is enriched with new commentary by Wuelfing, reflecting on the zines’ creation and impact.

Howard Wuelfing is a writer, musician, publicist, and chronicler of Punk Rock whose work has helped preserve some of the most vital corners of underground culture. A member of several influential East Coast punk and post-punk bands—including the Nurses, Slickee Boys, and Half Japanese—he lived the chaos while documenting it. His writing captured the immediacy, grit, and heart of the early scene, most recently showcased in the book Descenes and Discords: An Anthology. The book compiles every issue of both zines and creates a vivid portrait of Washington, DC’s punk community in 1979–1980.

This is an in-person event. Seated capacity at People’s Book is 50 patrons. Standing room is an option. All events are first-come, first-served seating. Accessible seating is always available.