Search & Destroy: The Complete Reprints

V. Vale
Re/Search Publications
ISBN: 096504694X
ISBN: 1889307009
Copyright Date: 11/6/96
Type: Soft cover. 148 Pages each
Size: 10.2 x 15.2 inches
Review Date: 8/15/00

Search & Destroy: The Complete Reprints #1-6 and #7-11

“If you see typos or overexposed photos- enjoy them! This is the real thing from the late 70’s, not sanitized or recently written ‘product’.” Perfect. Straight from the mouth of V. Vale, editor and publisher of this treasure in the form of two thick editions containing all the actual pages of Search & Destroy, which was published from 1977-79. The two oversized tomes are at 90% of the original size, but they’re still huge. The outside covers are in color, but the rest is black & white, including the rest of the covers which are reproduced rather small in between issues. It looks like the original covers were in color or at least duotones, but that’s not a problem because the content is king. V Search, the folks who bring you the ever popular RE/Search have a couple of winners here. An incredible find from a historical point of view.

Never seen a copy of Search & Destroy? It hailed from San Francisco and as such featured lots of coverage of west coast faves that don’t always make the cut when you’re reading larger scoped punk retrospectives. We’re talking Avengers, Screamers, the Nuns, Weirdos, Negative Trend, and the Dils, among others. The first volume also has an interesting and lengthy introduction by Jello Biafra talking about how he’ll never get sued by former members of the Dead Kennedys. Not really, but it’s still a good read. Another bonus is the fact that nearly every issue has an interview with Devo. Reading through S&D, you’ll find the articles and interviews in to be filled with naive optimism about “the scene”. You’d think that the Dils were going to be the next “only band that matters.” S&D’s vibe is less Mad Magazine-like than Punk (the original zine). Also unlike the Punk reprints, Search & Destroy is presented in it’s entirety. Every stupid thing that the young and soon to be famous (or not) bands said is preserved intact for history. Mixed in with the west coast action is a healthy dose of other worldy bands like the Clash and Sex Pistols, etc. These books are great for finding out what was on the minds of some of your favorite lesser known bands from the era. There’s a lot of rainy day reading in each volume. A warm and fuzzy four and half out of five smeared black mascara eyes. Five eyes? I know…

Online action: researchpubs.com