Outpunk Archive
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Founded by Matt Wobensmith, Outpunk was both a zine, published from 1992-1997, and a queercore record label, releasing music from 1992-1998. This collection contains original masters for almost all of the Outpunk zines, as well as a wide variety of documentation about the bands represented by the Outpunk label, including posters, fliers, photographs, and audio recordings.
Biographical/Historical note
In the early 1990s, the queercore movement was small and largely underground. Matt Wobensmith's writing on the subject, along with his subsequent foray into making queercore music more widely available, gave the movement a more public voice.
Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement, Wobensmith latched on to the burgeoning DIY culture and translated it into an exploration of the styles, trends, and sounds of the queer, hardcore community by publishing seven issues of the Outpunk zine between 1992-1997. Outpunk zines discussed queer culture, punk rock music, sexual politics, the gay skinhead movement, and feminism.
As a record label, Outpunk provided exposure to queer-focused bands including Tribe 8, Pansy Division, the Mukilteo Fairies, Cypher in the Snow, Sta-Prest, and Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live.
After ending both the zine and the record label in the late 1990s, Matt Wobensmith remained involved with zine culture. Today he owns and operates Goteblüd, a zine store and archive in San Francisco.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into three series: I. Zines, II. Music, III. Phonograph Records, and IV. Ephemera and Objects. Some series have been further arranged into subseries.
Items have been arranged with the original order kept intact; the only exceptions are oversized and dimensional materials, which are housed in separate containers.
Scope and Contents
The Outpunk Archive contains paper files, photographs and audio recordings relating to both Outpunk the zine and Outpunk, the queercore music label. These files include original artwork and flats for Outpunk zines; some administrative records; correspondence between the founder, Matt Wobensmith, and other artists; photographs of artists; copies of Outpunk record releases; and miscellaneous materials that arrived with the collection.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
People
Topics
Titles
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers. Appointments are necessary for the use of manuscript and archival collections.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Outpunk Archive; MSS 297; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Outpunk Archive was donated by Matt Wobensmith in 2010, with an accretion to the collection donated in February 2017. The accession numbers associated with these gifts are 2010.297 and 2017.086, respectively.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Audio materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions concerning the arrangement, description, and physical interventions taken on this collection prior to 2017 have not yet been recorded. In 2017 an accretion of photographs was accessioned, rehoused in archival boxes and folders, and intellectually incorporated into the collection's Series 2.C. in accordance with the existing series structure.
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
Series I: Zines
Scope and Contents
This series contains original flats (master copies) and finished copies of zines created by Matt Wobensmith, as well as some others submitted for distribution by Outpunk.
Subseries A: Outpunk Issues
Outpunk #1, 1992
Language of Materials
Outpunk #1 Original Flat, undated
Language of Materials
Outpunk #2/Fembot, 1993
Language of Materials
Outpunk #2 Original Flat, 1993
Language of Materials
Outpunk #2 1/2, 1994
Language of Materials
Outpunk #2 1/2 Original Flat, 1994
Language of Materials
Outpunk #3, undated
Language of Materials
Outpunk #3 Original Flat, 1994
Language of Materials
Outpunk #5, 1996
Language of Materials
Outpunk #5 Art/Design, 1996
Language of Materials
Outpunk #6, 1996
Language of Materials
Outpunk #7, 1997
Language of Materials
Outpunk Zine Invoices & Correspondence, 1992-2000, inclusive
Language of Materials
Subseries B: Other Zines
"Victoria's Secret Riot Presents Club Death" Original Flat, 1995
Language of Materials
Now I Don the Mask of Melancholy #4, undated
Language of Materials
The GSM #4 Original Flat, undated
Language of Materials
The Gaybee III Original Flat, undated
Language of Materials
Series II: Music
Scope and Contents
This series contains documentation, photography, invoices, and correspondence pertaining to bands whose work was distributed by or related to the Outpunk label. Bands include Tribe 8, Team Dresch, Pansy Division, God is My Co-Pilot, and Cyryus.
Subseries A: Bands and Promo Materials
Outpunk Contracts, 1993-2003, inclusive
Tribe 8, undated
Tribe 8 Press Kit, 1993-1994
Tribe 8 /Out13 7"/CD5, 1994
God is My Co-Pilot, undated
OPD Lyrics, Graphics, Photos, undated
Hyperdrive Kittens, 1993
There's a Dyke in the Pit Promo Materials, undated
Cyryus, 1995-1997, inclusive
Sta-Prest Press, 1998
Tribute to Outpunk Flier, 2003
BTPNLSL Press, 1996-1997
Band Photos, undated
General Outpunk Press, 1993-1995, inclusive
Miscellaneous Handbills & Promo Materials, undated
Misc. Fliers, Clippings, Etc. [1 of 2], undated
Misc. Fliers, Clippings, Etc. [2 of 2], undated
Subseries B: Miscellaneous Documentation and Articles
QC 101, 1998
QC 102, 1998
Dirty Bird '96, 1996
Gay Hip Hop Articles, 1996-1998, inclusive
Misc Articles [1 of 2], 2003-2005, inclusive
Misc Articles [2 of 2], undated
Fliers, undated
M. W. Press [1 of 2], 1992-2002, inclusive
M. W. Press [2 of 2], 1992-2002, inclusive
M. W. Address/Note Book, undated
Subseries C: Miscellaneous Photos
Miscellaneous Photos [1 of 2], undated
Miscellaneous Photos [2 of 2], undated
2017 Accretion: Photographs, circa 1990s, inclusive
Series III: Phonograph Records
Scope and Contents
This series contains albums released by the Outpunk label. Bands include Tribe 8, Cypher in the Snow, God is My Co-Pilot, Hyperdrive Kittens, Pansy Division, and Sta-Prest.
Conditions Governing Access
Audio materials are not accessible for listening.
Subseries A: Originals
Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live 7" EP, 1995
Cypher in the Snow "Badass" 7" EP (Test Pressing), undated
Language of Materials
God is My Co-Pilot/Fifth Column "Don't" 7" EP test pressing, undated
Language of Materials
Hyperdrive Kittens "Rock 'n' Roll Drag Queen" 7" EP, undated
Language of Materials
The Need 7" EP test pressing, 1997
Language of Materials
The Mukilteo Fairies "Closet Check" 7" EPs, undated
Language of Materials
Pansy Division "Bill & Ted's Homosexual Adventure" 7" EP test pressing, 1992
Language of Materials
Pansy Division "Nine Inch Males" 7" EP, undated
Language of Materials
Sta-Prest "Let's Be Friendly with Our Friends" 7" EP and test pressing, undated
Language of Materials
Sta-Prest "Vespa Sex" 7" EP, undated
Team Dresch "the new TEAM DRESCH v. 6.0 beta" 7" EP test pressing, undated
Language of Materials
"There's a Dyke in the Pit" 7" Compilation EP, undated
Language of Materials
"There's a Dyke in the Pit" 7" Compilation EP test pressing, undated
Language of Materials
"There's a Faggot in the Pit" 7" Compilation EP, 1991
Language of Materials
Tribe 8 self-titled 7" EP, 1994
Language of Materials
Series IV: Ephemera and Objects
Scope and Contents
This series contains oversize photography, posters, and artwork, as well as a collection of band t-shirts and a skateboard.
