Welcome

2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the birth of Wormtown. A city in Central Massachusetts formally known as Worcester. It was created as a name for my fanzine covering the burgeoning punk rock music phenomenon exploding locally, nationally and worldwide. Somehow it became the moniker for the city itself, much to the chagrin of the local government officials, citizens and others who were easily offended. Now, here we are, 30 years later, and still people have a problem with it.

Some say calling it Wormtown degrades the city and all the progress it has made to overcome its reputation as an gritty old mill town. The city has made many great advances, with the Shrewsbury and Water Street areas becoming the go-to destinations for food, drink and entertainment and the possibility of the Blackstone Canal being reborn with some sort of replica being introduced on Harding Street. But the old Mall, The Galleria, where we found punk rock 45's and lps at Paperback Booksmith, is still standing in the way of the long awaited Resurrection of the downtown area. There's new hotels, modern office space, a courthouse, roundabouts, all around it, but the "Worcester Centah" sits there a reminder of how far they still have to go.

But this isn't about that. This is about the music that was created here and spread outwards to show the world that we in fact do rock. Over the next few months I'll post old scans of the fanzines so you can see what it was like, and keep you updated on the anniversary bash to be held at Ralph's diner in May.

You can also hear the music of Wormtown and more here at http://www.wurn.net/