The guest speaker’s introduction to punk rock was an important part of his early life. It began when his uncle and aunt took him to a show during his childhood. That experience inspired Rich to create zines, which included band reviews and lyrics. These zines showcased musicians’ work to others. After attending his first punk rock show in Connecticut, Rich connected with people through his zines and eventually decided to form a band with some of them. He noted that most of the audience at these shows were men, with women often participating as photographers. I thought it was very intriguing

Hearing about Rich’s punk rock journey inspired me to learn more about the genre. Punk rock challenged the expectations of its time and eventually became so influential that those rules faded away. Looking at the old album covers passed around during class, I found myself drawn to the designs and the CDs inside them. It made me think about how people accessed music in the 20th century, before apps made it so easy to buy songs. I really liked the pins and stickers he gave me.

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