THE KIDS & JOHNNY DEPP Star in PUNK UNDER THE SUN'S Rebel Tale
THE KIDS & JOHNNY DEPP Star in Punk Under the Sun’s Rebel Tale
In the neon-drenched, sun-soaked sprawl of 1980s South Florida, a vibrant punk and New Wave scene erupted, defying the region’s tourist-friendly image. Punk Under the Sun: ’80s Punk and New Wave in South Florida (2nd Edition), by scene veterans Joey Seeman and Chris Potash, captures this cultural explosion in a 240-page, full-color tribute packed with nearly 400 rare photos, flyers, and artifacts.Praised as “comprehensive” (Miami New Times) and a “cultural treasure” by Henry Rollins, this vital chronicle of the times –is a must-have for music lovers.
A standout story is The Kids, the punk-infused power pop band featuring a teenage Johnny Depp on lead guitar. Formed in 1978, The Kids—Bruce Witkin (bass), Joey Malone (guitar/vocals), John Hanti (drums), and Depp—became local legends, packing venues like The Agora Ballroom and opening for icons like Iggy Pop, The Ramones, and Talking Heads. Their 1982 7” single, “I Wanna Be Me” and “Time to Explain”, is a collector’s gem, with the latter briefly featured in The Legend of Billie Jean (1985). Depp’s distinctive guitar tone and the band’s catchy hooks, reminiscent of The Romantics, earned a devoted following.
Managed by Sheila Witkin, The Kids thrived gigging across South Florida but chased stardom in Los Angeles in 1983, renaming themselves Six Gun Method. The shift to L.A.’s glam metal scene proved challenging, and they disbanded in 1984, just as Depp’s acting career launched with A Nightmare on Elm Street. Bassist Bruce Witkin later produced albums for Adam Ant, Marilyn Manson, and Joe Perry, and co-founded Hollywood Vampires with Depp and Alice Cooper. Reunions followed, including a 2008 Sheila Witkin Memorial Concert in Pompano Beach, where Depp and The Kids rocked 2,500 fans alongside The Romantics.
Punk Under the Sun spotlights The Kids alongside bands like Screaming Sneakers, led by charismatic singer Lisa Nash, whose catchy pop-punk songs and rare vinyl nearly landed a major label deal. With a detailed discography and comprehensive 11-page index, this visually stunning book is a must for punk fans and cultural historians.
Grab it at punkunderthesun.com now! Perfect for music lovers craving a deep dive into an overlooked American subculture.
For interviews, contact the authors at Contact – Punk Under the Sun
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240 pages, softcover, full color, 8 x 10 inches
$37, wholesale pricing available for bulk orders
ISBN: 979-8-218-51568-3
Available at Neon Books