Dawn Wirth, one of only a handful of photographers to document the first wave of LA punk, is set to exhibit her body of work for the first time ever. Wirth, who spent her youth being pummeled at the front of crowds to get the now-historic up-close live shots of bands like The Weirdos and The Germs, is credited with capturing the essence of ’70s punk.
The exhibition, hosted by DRKRM. Gallery, will include Wirth’s photographs taken from 1977-1978 at The Masque and other prominent LA venues. These are photos that were once featured in first-generation punk zines Flipside, Sniffin’ Glue, and Gen X, and paved the way for black and white, live band photography.
Her work is frenetic and at the same time composed, with stark contrast and portraits of musicians so close you can almost feel the shower of spittle she likely had to endure. The moments captured in this body of work are vital to the retelling of the tumultuous, paradigm-shifting era.
These priceless photos will also appear in upcoming Rolling Stone book 365 Punk as well as The Masque Book by Brandon Mullen.
The show, entitled Destroy All Music after a song by scene heroes The Weirdos, will open October 6 and run until the 27th of the month.
Destroy All Music: The Masque and Beyond, 1977-1978
October 6 – 27
DRKRM. Gallery
2121 San Fernando Road, Suite 3
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 223 -6867
www.drkrm.com