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Halfsheet documents a landmark moment in the early Austin, Texas, punk scene: the Punk & New Wave Festival, held on April 22, 1978.Organized by promoter John David Bartlett, the event was a "Battle of the Bands" hosted at a club called New Atlantis on Austin's Sixth Street. The festival featured four seminal bands from the burgeoning Texas punk movement:Featured BandsThe Nervebreakers: Hailing from Dallas, they won first prize at the event.The Skunks: A pioneering Austin punk band; they opened the festival.The Violators: Tied for second place in the competition.The Bodysnatchers: Also tied for second place. They later released a song titled "Battle of the Bands" challenging the Nervebreakers to a rematch.Artistic and Historical ContextThe flyer's dense, collage-style artwork was created by Rick Turner. This specific event is often cited as a key catalyst that energized the local scene, drawing a large crowd and helping establish venues like Raul's as hubs for Austin punk. |
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