Trouser Press

Trouser Press was a music magazine originally published from 1974 to 1984 that focused on rock and roll, particularly punk and new wave music.Image:trouser-press-sample-cover

History

Trouser Press was founded in 1974 by Ira Robbins and Dave Schulps, two high school friends from Queens, New York. The magazine's name came from a slang term for the vinyl records that made up the fashionable attire of rock musicians.

The magazine began as a self-published fanzine, but grew rapidly in popularity and circulation as punk and new wave music gained mainstream attention. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Trouser Press had become one of the most influential music magazines in the world.

In 1983, Trouser Press was sold to Trans-Oceanic Publishing, which attempted to shift its focus towards more mainstream rock music. However, declining readership and financial difficulties led to the magazine's eventual closure in 1984.

Content

Trouser Press covered a wide range of artists and genres, with a particular focus on punk and new wave music. The magazine featured articles, interviews, and reviews of music albums, concerts, and new releases. It also included insightful commentary on the business and culture of rock music, as well as features on emerging musical trends.

Editors and Contributors

Trouser Press was edited by Ira Robbins and Dave Schulps, who were also the magazine's co-founders. The magazine featured contributions from a range of music writers, critics, and photographers, including Lester Bangs, Dave Marsh, and Robert Palmer.

Impact and Legacy

Trouser Press was widely regarded as one of the most influential music magazines of its time, and helped to shape the way that many music fans and critics thought about punk and new wave music. Its coverage of emerging bands and new musical trends played a significant role in the development of alternative and indie rock music throughout the 1980s and beyond.

The magazine also pioneered the use of independent music criticism as a serious art form, and helped to elevate the role of music writers and critics in popular culture.

Conclusion

Trouser Press was a music magazine founded in 1974 that focused on rock and roll, particularly punk and new wave music. The magazine played a significant role in shaping the way that many music fans and critics thought about emerging musical trends, and helped to develop the genre of alternative and indie rock music. Its impact on the music industry and independent music criticism continues to be felt today.{{Categories}}

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