The 80s weren't kind to youth culture in the United States.
Ronald Reagan's administration promised Morning In America, but for anyone on the fringes – women, the LGBT community, people of colour – it was a long, dark night.
With venues being shut down and police harassing kids on the street, a guerrilla counter culture sprung up to provide a platform for alternative arts.
People like Stuart Swezey went straight out into the desert. Long before Burning Man or Coachella he held provocative events in the Mojave Desert, bringing together a disparate array of punks and outsiders.
New documentary Desolation Center looks back on this, featuring archive performances and brand new interviews with Thurston Moore, Perry Farrell, the Minutemen's Mike Watt, and more.
Set to gain its UK premiere as part of the Doc 'N' Roll Film Festival, we're able to share a brand new clip from Desolation Center.
Sonic Youth blaze through 'Death Valley 69' in this explosive video, a stunning, feral performance, delivered in a raw, uncompromising setting. It's a jaw-dropping clip, one that makes Desolation Center a must-see event.
Tune in now.
Desolation Center is screened at the Soho Curzon, London on November 16th. Doc 'N' Roll Film Festival runs between – for more information click HERE.
Doc 'N' Roll Film Festival runs between November 1st – 17th.
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