Safety Pin Stuck in My Heart: Essential UK DIY Singles 1977-

Following the nuclear blast of punk, a new sound and aesthetic emerged from the rubble. This was a grassroots, homemade culture, liberated from the shackles of the corporate music industry. A frenzy of micro-pressed singles were released, sheathed in blurry, Xeroxed sleeves with rubber stamped names on them; Desperate Bicycles, Scritti Politti, Swell Maps and the Shop Assistants. The three letters, D.I.Y. became both a declaration of intention and an imperative - a call to arms, a response to the dire politics and bleak forecast for late '70s, early '80s Britain. This book offers a fascinating insight into this febrile moment in British music history, looking in depth at 101 DIY singles that changed the musical landscape. Interviews with key figures from the time run alongside authoritative text from music historian, Jonathon Dale. Lo-fi graphics are presented in all their scrubby glory, resonating with today's newfound rise of independent culture. A delight for music and graphic aficionados alike.