Punkast is a weekly podcast exploring punk in the historical present through critical conversations, inquiry, and collaboration.
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In this episode:
“I didn’t feel judgment. I felt more acceptance that I could be my strange self.”
Jessica Schwartz is joined by filmmaker Corbett Redford and professor John Goshert to reflect on the East Bay punk community and the DIY practices that have shaped generations of musicians, artists, and organizers. In this episode, we discuss the infrastructures, cultural formations, and communities that emerged through Gilman Street and the broader East Bay punk scene. Through Corbett Redford’s film Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk and John Goshert’s punk scholarship, their work has helped document and circulate the story of Gilman Street far beyond the East Bay.
Corbett Redford is a filmmaker, musician, actor, writer, and voice-over artist from the California Bay Area. An East Bay native, he recently moved with his family and their gaggle of pets to the Russian River Valley in Northern California. He is currently working with his band, Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children MacNuggits, on Solar Cantata, a 20-song concept album and the band's first release in twelve years.
John (Chuck) Goshert started going to punk shows in 1984, becoming involved in the Bay Area scene through legendary venues such as Ruthie’s Inn, the Farm, and Gilman Street. After playing in a number of bands from 1986–1996, he moved to Indiana to pursue a PhD in philosophy and literature. Since 2001, he has taught English at Utah Valley University, where his work focuses on critical theory, cultural studies, and American literature, with particular emphasis on multiethnic and LGBTQ literature and culture.
More than a venue, Gilman Street became a space where people learned to create, organize, and participate in building their own culture.
Recorded March 2024.
Links + References:
instagram.com/corbettredford
eastbaypunk.com
Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children Macnuggits - Spotify
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johngoshert.com
instagram.com/jcgoshert
instagram.com/marymotherofbear
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More info on Turn it Around: The Story of East Bay Punks
Watch Turn it Around: The Story of East Bay Punks on Tubi
Watch urn it Around: The Story of East Bay Punks on Plex
Credits:
Punkast is hosted and produced by Jessica Schwartz.
Editorial support: Melissa Hernandez – audio editing, episode notes, and audio-synced transcript.
Transcript:
Theme Music:
Lady Bits, \"Bitch-a-thon,\" Lady Bits.
Related:
Jessica Schwartz co-hosts the Punk Scholars Podcast on the Punk Scholars Network.
Connect with Punkast:
Instagram: punkastucla
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