Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk 2017

Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk delves into the significant impact that Northern California had on the punk rock movement, showcasing the raw, intense, and rebellious spirit of music and politics that emerged in the late 1970s. This documentary highlights the contributions of early pioneers from the San Francisco Bay Area, such as the Dead Kennedys, Avengers, and Flipper, along with the influence of the MaximumRocknRoll fanzine, which played a crucial role in taking punk from a local phenomenon to a global stage.

As the vibrancy of the local punk scene was overshadowed by issues of violence, corruption, and racism, a response blossomed across the bridge in the East Bay. This led to the birth of an engaging and inclusive punk style while maintaining a commitment to radical ideas. Unified around Berkeley’s all-volunteer 924 Gilman club, this eclectic mix of misfits cultivated a do-it-yourself attitude, molding a creative hub for art and music that ultimately transformed the punk landscape of the Bay Area and beyond.

While the mainstream success of bands like Green Day and Rancid may represent the surface of this vibrant scene, their achievements are merely the tip of a much deeper legacy. This inspiring narrative is drawn from over 180 interviews, extensive footage from hundreds of live performances, and a treasure trove of more than 35,000 archival photos and flyers. Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk captures the essence of this movement through the voices of those who lived it, detailing its improbable origins, its myriad struggles and victories, and its lasting influence that persists to this day.