Descenes and Discords: An Anthology is a powerful time capsule of the birth and evolution of punk music through the pages of two influential fanzines: Descenes and Discords. These publications, originally printed and distributed in Washington, D.C. during the late 1970s and early 1980s, captured the raw energy, irreverent spirit, and revolutionary ethos of the underground music scene — first local, then national.
 
Published by writer and musician Howard Wuelfing, Descenes began as a hyperlocal chronicle of D.C.'s burgeoning punk and post-punk community. It featured scene reports, interviews, and passionate reviews of now-legendary acts like Bad Brains, Slickee Boys, and Half Japanese. As the punk movement grew beyond the Beltway, Discords picked up the baton with a wider lens — covering bands like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and many more, all with the same DIY authenticity and zero-corporate gloss. It also marked the being of the now-legendary scene report known as "Jersey Beat." 
 
Descenes and Discords: An Anthology presents full facsimiles of every issue of both zines, preserving the original cut-and-paste layouts, typewritten rants, and Xeroxed charm that defined a generation of independent media. The anthology is enriched with new commentary by Wuelfing, reflecting on the zines’ creation and impact. It also includes a transcribed conversation between Wuelfing and Ian MacKaye — the iconic frontman of Minor Threat and Fugazi — where they discuss the fanzine era’s role in shaping punk’s identity and legacy. A Foreword by esteemed D.C. cultural critic Mark Jenkins sets the historical stage for readers. The book also contains a poster of the DC Band Family Tree, featured in issue #1. 
 
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE OF AUGUST 19, 2025!
AVAILABLE FOR ORDER IN THE UK NOW!
Limited to 800 copies! Each book is numbered and signed by the author.
This is a large format book, expensive to print, but quality throughout.
After this run is sold - that's it!
Published by DiWulf Publishing in the USA.
Sold by Earth Island Books in the UK and Europe.
 
Here’s WildFire’s review of the new book: https://wildfiremusic.net/2025/07/24/two-influential-punk-fanzines-get-collected-as-descenes-and-discords-an-anthology/