About the Rock n' Roll Time Machine

During the mid-1980s, I worked as a rock journalist for numerous NYC underground newspapers (The East Coast Rocker, Downtown and others). From 1985 to 1988 I went out at least three nights a week, seeing numerous major and minor acts of the day - from the Cure, New Order, the Human League, Jesus & Mary Chain and the Eurythmics, to the Feelies, the Ramones and Suicide.

A life-long musician and music fan myself, I tried to bring my own insights and personal history into my writing. These recently rediscovered reviews provide a clear window into the rock music scene in New York City during that exciting pre-internet time. Starting with the Johnny Thunders' review I hope to re-publish one review every few weeks. I hope you enjoy them.

The genesis of the idea to do this came from an email I received a few years ago out of the blue from Paul Robinson, the drummer from the eclectic 1980s British band, Art of Noise. After re-discovering a review I wrote of his band from a NYC show at the Ritz in 1986, Paul had tracked me down through the internet to give me a "very belated thank you" for the review, calling it a "well perceived view of that gig (and tour)."

He was not the first subject to thank me. In 1986, after an extensive interview with Joey Ramone, I wrote a feature-length essay on the Ramones and their influential legacy on the eve of their 10-year anniversary. After publication, I received a phone call from Joey, saying how much he liked the article, thanking me for my insightful words.

Special thanks go to writer Diana Darzin (Dee Severe), who encouraged me to pursue my writing. Without her mentoring and connections, none of this would have been possible.

Abby Weissman, 2010