Details

ARC-0820

collection

Nick Nicholis Akron Punk Collection

circa 1980-1996

0.07 (Linear feet)

Nick Nicholis is a vocalist and original member of the Akron punk/new wave band the Bizarros, as well as the founder of Clone Records. The Bizarros released their first EP in 1976, and Clone Records was founded in 1977 to help promote and distribute the music of bands from Akron during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Artists who appeared on Clone included the Bizarros themselves, as well as bands like the Rubber City Rebels, the Waitresses, and Tin Huey.

The Nick Nicholis Akron Punk Collection contains promotional materials and records related to the punk rock/new wave scene in Akron, Ohio, in the late 1970s/early 1980s. The Bizarros press kit appears to date from the band's 1996 reunion and compiles reviews and press quotes from the late 1970s, including reviews from Robert Christgau in the Village Voice and Ken Tucker in Rolling Stone. The 45rpm single, "The Cube/Underground", by Bizarros, was released by the French record label Sordide Sentimental and includes a poster with lyrics, photographs, and a lengthy piece about an apocalyptic scenario written in French by Jean-Pierre Turmel entitled "A L'angle Des Tourments" (At The Angle of Torment). A small sheet with an English translation is included, along with a clipping of a quote by Soren Kierkegaard, who is quoted at the beginning of Turmel's story. A poster from Akron-based record label Clone Records features stylized artwork and advertises two new record releases--a single by Tin Huey ("English Kids/Sister Rose"), and a compilation LP entitled "Bowling Balls From Hell" that features many bands and musicians from the Akron area, including The Waitresses, Denis Defrange, Ralph Carney, and David Thomas of Pere Ubu. The collection helps provide information on the Akron music scene circa 1980, including examples of how bands like the Bizarros were marketed on the local, national, and international levels.

: The Nick Nicholis Akron Punk Collection was received by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a gift from Nick Nicholis on December 16, 2002.

: [Identification of Item], Nick Nicholis Akron Punk Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

: Collection is primarily in English; printed material accompanying "The Cube/Underground" 45pm record is partially in French.

: Processed by Lily Korte, Volunteer. Completed August 7, 2019. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual. Collection processed through an Access to Historical Records grant from the NHPRC.

Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration Form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.