Punk Histories: An Honors Discovery Seminar

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Graphic by Piper Bo

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Jeremy Smith

Jeremy Smith is a Moving Image & Sound Archivist at the UMass Libraries and will also teach an Honors Discovery Seminar this spring semester on Wednesdays from 2:30–3:20 PM. His seminar, titled “Punk Histories”, will explore the worldwide phenomenon of “punk” and the fascinating history behind the movement.

As a child of the ’80s, Smith was immersed in the punk rock world ever since he was young. Growing up a few miles from campus in Southampton, MA, Smith remembers the music environment of his high school days.

“It was high school in the '80s, everyone was listening to Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson; the expanded musical universe was not available to me at that time and for most suburban people. Most people found out about other genres of music through a show on MTV called 120 Minutes. It ran on Sunday nights and showed ‘alternative’ music videos.”

Smith, along with a couple of friends, began taping episodes of 120 Minutes. His interest was piqued by these new artists, and it grew further at Main Street Records, a small record store in Northampton. It was one of the few places in Western Massachusetts where imported punk albums and other alternative genres were available. This exposure led to Smith’s involvement in the local punk scene, which was still an underground genre at the time. News of new artists, shows, and albums spread through word of mouth, bootlegs, and zines.

Smith attended many concerts all over campus. Pearl Jam performed at the Student Union Ballroom in 1992.

Smith graduated high school and began attending Holyoke Community College, later transferring to UMass in the ’90s. He started going to concerts all around Amherst, from dorms to theaters, including Butterfield, Greenough, and Van Meter Halls in Central, as well as Orchard Hill. Smith also recalls the shows organized by the University Programming Council (UPC). Bands like Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul all performed at UMass during his undergraduate years.

“Then, the '92 Spring Concert was probably the best concert they (UPC) ever did. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone, Firehose, the Beastie Boys and Phish all played!”

Clipping from the Massachusetts Daily Collegian Archives announcing the '92 lineup.

After graduating from UMass, Smith became involved with the Valley Arts and Music Alliance (VAMA), an art collective that supported artists all throughout the Pioneer Valley. Smith joined and helped open the Flywheel in Easthampton, a volunteer non-profit art space. It was through this experience that Smith learned about the “mechanics” of the underground.

His academic background, upbringing in Western Massachusetts, and involvement with VAMA all converged after he met with a history professor in 2016. After participating in various panels on the history of punk, Smith felt inspired by his colleagues at the library and created this course.

“Punk Histories” begins with an exploration of the early foundation of punk in the 1950s to the present day. It also explores the philosophical, cultural, and historical contexts that helped form the movement. 

According to Smith, this course not only provides students with the context behind this revolutionary genre but also helps prepare them for their thesis. He aims to use his background in the libraries to prepare students in undertaking their research.

Smith concluded with some artists he recommends students check out including the album “Entertainment!” by Gang of Four, “London Calling” by The Clash and a newer band called Collate from Portland, Oregon.