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Known for The Fest, Less Than Jake and Hot Water Music, Gainesville became a creative hub in the 1980s and '90s for many of punk rock's greats.Whether playing at the Hardback or wild house parties, earnest acts like Against Me!, Spoke and Roach Motel all emerged and thrived in the small northern Florida city. Radon burst onto the scene with chaotic energy while Mutley Chix helped inspire local torchbearers No Idea Records. Through this succinct history, author Matt Walker traces each successive generation's contributions and amplifies the fidelity of the Gainesville scene.
About the author
Matt Walker works as a communication specialist at the University of Florida. He has been writing about music and playing the guitar for over fifteen years. Matt was the founder and editor of Lead Us Down, a website dedicated to covering local punk and indie music in Gainesville, from 2011 to 2014. He served as music editor and then editor of Satellite Magazine, a Gainesville monthly paper dedicated to arts, culture and music in the region. Matt earned his BA in English literature from Valdosta State University and his master's degree in journalism from the University of Florida.
