'Our Generation' - The Punk and Mod Children of Sheffield, Rotherham and
Doncaster 1976 - 1985
by Tony Beesley
'Our Generation' is the unique and very first account of the Punk generation
of Sheffield and the local region told by the author and over 150 different
and varied voices of the era.
From the Pre-Punk days and all the way through Punk's summer of hate -
1977 punk and beyond, the story takes in the many classic gigs, the clothes
worn and searches for identity, the groups formed and broken, the fans,
the records, the violence and laughs along with many photos, flyers, tickets
and memorabilia of the era.
The books main focal point is the punk explosion and its effect on the
local youth, but also takes in Mod revivalists, 2-tone fans, New Romantics
and anecdotes from some of the many well known Punk groups who have played
at famous local venues such as Doncaster's Outlook, Rotherham's Windmill
and Sheffield's Top Rank and Limit Clubs. Meetings with some of the most
noted Punk musicians such as Joe Strummer, Paul Weller and Sid Vicious
are also refreshingly told by fans in their own words.
This story is about a time of euphoric excitement and life changing experiences
when a proportion of our local youth cast caution to the wind and found
themselves in the middle of the most explosive, controversial and influential
musical revolution since pop music began...this is the story of Sheffield's
experience of that time...the story of 'Our Generation'.
- Text adapted from Book's RearSleeve