Hardcore Architecture, deciphering the DIY punk scene to promote a communicative message

Marc Fischer’s blog and publication Hardcore Architecture deciphers each issue of international DIY punk zine Maximum Rocknroll from 1980-90, using “contact addresses posted in the record and tape review sections” to rediscover the locations digitally using Google Street View.

Hardcore Architecture was born out of Marc being an avid and active individual in independent publishing, and started with him perusing the web whilst buying his first house in Chicago. Enthused by the “amusing tension” of finding a band with a violent name settling in deep suburbia, Marc has found “a way of visualising this history that was different from the usual band photos and album cover art.”

By “exploring a city online” Hardcore Architecture celebrates the communicative ethics of Maximum Rocknroll. It is a project that mirrors the labor of love of the publication it is inspired by – created almost entirely by volunteers, it has been published on a consistent monthly basis for over three decades. Marc’s success with the publication is due to this connective community, he explains that “from the response I’ve seen, when someone lives in a small town, it can be incredibly exciting and meaningful to them when I uncover a band from that city. Many cities are well represented like New York, or San Fransisco, but for that kid in Wyoming, each new discovery can be a really big deal.”

Hardcore Architecture is a one man operation from Marc, his blog now has 550 bands and houses pinpointed as he edges closer towards identifying all locations mentioned in MRR from 1980-90. However the reach and message of Hardcore Architecture has developed since it’s inception. Marc now using the voice of a DIY community to promote messages he and the people of this scene object to. “I’ve started using Hardcore Architecture as a platform to comment on a certain local situations” Marc explains, “such as police murders and social justice issues involving architecture in Chicago, in a manner that is responsive to place and retain the anger of so much of this music.”

Overall this is a publication that culminates artistic disciplines from architecture, music and photography to join communities in local areas and internationally. We look forward to whatever to step Marc takes forward with this wholesome, selfless project in the future. Previous issues of Hardcore Architecture are available to buy here.