The James Payne Collection of Columbus (Ohio) DIY Punk Fliers and Ephemera contains three series; each series represents a category of performance venues. Within each series, materials are further arranged in subseries, listed alphabetically by the name of the venue.
Accession No. RARE.2023.0063: James Payne, 2023 June.
[identification of item], James Payne Collection of Columbus (Ohio) DIY Punk Fliers and Ephemera, SPEC.RARE.0321, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University
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Processed by: Sabrina Gorse and Casey Blackmore, 2023 October; Finding aid written by: Sabrina Gorse and Casey Blackmore, 2023 October.
As of 2023, James Payne is a freelance writer, artist, and curator. He is a Columbus native, but currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Payne began collecting fliers pertaining to the underground Columbus music scene in 2002.The Columbus DIY punk scene grew out of a desire to create a space for noncommercial music and art to thrive without the capitalist nature of venues like bars or corporate owned music venues. Payne began attending house shows in the Columubs area as a teenager and began his flier collection during this time period. He also performed in various bands and booked events throughout Columbus.
Fliers included in the collection advertise musical performances that occurred in private residences that had been turned into public venues by the people that lived there. Punk house venues continued the anti-capitalist ethics of the DIY movement by often catering to an all ages audience while commercial bars and venues often limited audiences to drinking age or older. The fliers themselves are also a product of DIY culture as they were often hand designed and copied on Xerox machines. Several flier designers found in the collection also went on to commercial success in the visual arts and fashion design.
The James Payne Collection of Columbus (Ohio) DIY Punk Fliers and Ephemera comprises of fliers, posters, photographs, artwork, zines, calendars, news clippings, and artifacts created by members of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Punk community in Columbus, Ohio, particularly in downtown Columbus and on The Ohio State University campus. These materials were primarily hand-made to advertise musical performances made by traveling punk bands at informal punk houses, commercial bars, and community and non-profit spaces. Other topics advertised include liberal political events and issues, art exhibitions, and events in the larger community. The collection overall dates from 2002 to 2014, with one flier dating from 2018. Some materials in the collection are dated, but most are not; general date ranges have been provided for undated items based on either the known years of operation for a location, or on the overall time period Payne was involved in the DIY punk community.
Series 1: Punk Houses, dated 2002 to 2014. Fliers advertised various punk and underground music shows put on by renters that were connected to the local music scene that lived in various themed houses in downtown Columubs and near Ohio State Univeristy campus.
Subseries 1.1: 15th House, dated 2003-2012. Fliers in this subseries pertain to punk shows put on by the 15th House venue which was located at 369 East 15th Street in Columbus. The house promoted shows from 2003 to circa 2012.
Subseries 1.2: The Citadel, dating from approximately between 2002 through 2014, contains one flier advertising a punk show put on by the Citadel.
Subseries 1.3: Crack House flier advertising punk shows put on by Crack House dated 2002-2014.
Subseries 1.4: Drunk Dungeon, dated 2002-2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Drunk Dungeon house.
Subseries 1.5: Dueling Duplex House, dated 2013, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Dueling Duplex House.
Subseries 1.6: The Gnargate, dated 2002-2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on the Gnargate house.
Subseries 1.7: House of Rice, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the House of Rice.
Suberies 1.8: Hunter House, dated 2002-2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Hunter House.
Suberies 1.9: Last House on the Left, 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Last House on the Left.
Subseries 1.10: Legion of Doom, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Legion of Doom, located at 1579 Indianola Avenue. The Legion of Doom is the longest-running DIY venue in Columbus, Ohio, dating back to at least the mid-1990s, if not earlier. It is still in operation as of 2023. Included in the collection is a flier designed by Elijah Funk who went on to create Online Ceramics, a popular fashion brand written about in the New Yorker and other media.
Subseries 1.11: Monster House, dated 2007 to 2012, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Monster House. The Monster House was a 3-story 8-bedroom campus house directly across 10th Avenue from the southern edge of Ohio State University’s campus. The Monster House was in operation from 2007 to 2012.
Subseries 1.12: Nude Ranch, dated 2007-2009, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Nude Ranch. The Nude Ranch house was located at 376 E. 14th street in Columbus and operated from 2007 to 2009.
Subseries 1.13: Pigpen, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Pigpen house.
Subseries 1.14: The Pink House, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Pink House.
Subseries 1.15: Punk Porch, 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Punk Porch.
Subseries 1.16: Redbird Prision, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Redbird Prision.
Subseries 1.17: The Schoolhouse, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Schoolhouse.
Subseries 1.18: Scoliosis House, 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Scoliosis House.
Subseries 1.19: Screamer House, 2005-2007, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Screamer House. The Screamer house was located at 84 McMillen Avenue in Columbus. The house was in operation between the years of 2005 to 2007.
Subseries 1.20: Stink House, dated 2004-2008, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Stink House. Stink House was located at 244 King Avenue in Columbus. The house was in operation from 2004 to 2008.
Subseries 1.23: Traphouse, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Traphouse.
Subseries 1.22: Ursa Minor, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Ursa Minor house.
Subseries 1.23: Vietcong School House, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Vietcong School House.
Subseries 1.24: Villa Ville Kula, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Villa Ville Kula house.
Series 2: Commercial Bars, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers pertaining to punk shows put on by commerical bars and mainstream venus in the Columbus area and near the Ohio State University campus.
Subseries 2.1: Ace of Cups, dated 2012 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Ace of Cups bar. Ace of Cups was opened in 2012 in the north campus area of Columbus, Ohio by local musician Marcy Mays. James Payne collected fliers from this location from its opening in 2012 to 2014, the last year he collected materials for the collection overall.
Subseries 2.2: Bernie's Distillery, circa 2002 to 2005, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Bernie's Distillery. The distillery was located approximately at 1892 North High Street. In the 1990s, it served as an integral punk venue for the Datapanik and Anyway Records scene. By the mid-2000s it was no longer a venue for punk music.
Subseries 2.3: Big Whop!, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Big Whop!
Subseries 2.4: Bobest, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Bobest.
Subseries 2.5: Cafe Bourbon Street, dated circa 2008, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Cafe Bourbon Street.
Subseries 2.6: Carabar, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Carabar.
Subseries 2.7: Circus, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Circus.
Subseries 2.8: Club Karma, dated circa 2008, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Club Karma.
Subseries 2.9: East Village, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by East Village.
Subseries 2.10: Hal and Al's, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Hal and Al's bar.
Subseries 2.11: High Five, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by High Five.
Subseries 2.12: The House of Crave, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the House of Crave.
Subseries 2.13: Newport Music Hall, dated 2002, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Newport Music Hall.
Subseries 2.14: Ruby Tuesday, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by Ruby Tuesday.
Subseries 2.15: The St. James Tavern, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the St. James Tavern.
Subseries 2.16: The Shamrock Club, dated 2012, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Shamrock Club.
Subseries 2.17: The Shi Sha Lounge, dated 2002 to 2014, contains fliers advertising punk shows put on by the Shi Sha Lounge.
Subseries 2.18: Skully's is comprised of fliers and posters publicizing DIY punk musical performances at the bar Skully's. The materials date from approximately 2008.
Subseries 2.19: The Summit consists of fliers publicizing DIY punk musical performances at the bar The Summit. The materials are dated 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 2.20: The Surly Girl contains a flier advertising a DIY punk musical performance at the bar The Surly Girl. The flier is dated from 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 2.21: The Treehouse comprises of a flier advertising a DIY punk musical performance at the bar, The Treehouse, dated from 2002 to 2014.
Series 3: Community and Non-Profit Spaces, dating 2002 to 2014, 2018, comprises of fliers, photographs, artwork, zines, calendars, news clippings, and artifacts. The fliers include DIY punk fliers about musical performances, punk culture, and events in the DIY punk community as well as politics and art exhibitions conducted at non-profit and community spaces in the Columbus area, particularly on or near the Ohio State University campus. While some spaces in this series are for commerical and for profit purposes, such as Stauf's and Used Kids Records, they are designated here as a commuity space as they were utilized as gathering spaces for DIY activities.
Subseries 3.1: Acock South consists of a flier publicizing a DIY punk musical performance at the Acock South. The contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.2: Addresses contains fliers regarding events - including DIY punk musical performances, Food Not Bomb events, Take Back The Night rally, and art shows - hosted in the Columbus area. The fliers primarily date from 2002 through 2014. The materials themselves contain addresses for events where attendees would meet, but not the names of specific venues or businesses.
Subseries 3.3: Beaton Gallery consists of a flier advertising an event in the DIY punk community at the Beaton Gallery. The flier dates from between 2002 through 2014.
Subseries 3.4: Betty's Bar contains a flier for Jumpinships at Betty's Bar. The flier is dated 2007.
Subseries 3.5: Bike Rallies consists of fliers about bike rallies and races in the Columbus area. The fliers date from between 2002 through 2014.
Subseries 3.6: BLD (Building G) comprises of fliers about art exhibitions at a venue known as BLD (Building G). The contents are dated 2003.
Subseries 3.7: Canzani Gallery contains a flier for a Bring Your Own Beamer (BYOB) event at the Canzani Gallery. The flier is dated 2012.
Subseries 3.8: Casa Nueva comprises of a flier about the Forward Ohio Fundraiser Show, a traveling punk music festival, at the Casa Nueva. The flier is dated 2012.
Subseries 3.9: Chop Chop Gallery comprises of fliers publicizing DIY punk musical performances, art shows, and benefits at the Chop Chop Gallery. The fliers date from between 2002 through 2014.
Subseries 3.10: Columbus College of Art and Design consists of fliers and posters advertising art exhibitions and visiting artists at the Columbus College of Art and Design. The fliers and posters date from between 2002 through 2014.
Subseries 3.11: Columbus Metropolitan Library comprises of a flier publicizing Joy Division at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The flier is dated 2009.
Subseries 3.12: Columbus Sucks Because You Suck consists of fliers and calendars that were created by Columbus Sucks Because You Suck (CSBYS), originally a message board moderated by Jimmy Turri that in 2005 or 2006 became a monthly calendar that listed all the shows for that month. It is unknown whether it is still in operation as of 2023. The subseries's contents were created between 2006 to 2014, with one flier dated 2018.
Subseries 3.13: Design Gallery/DSB Gallery consists of fliers advertising DIY punk musical performances and the Heat Space Convention for Social Heat's Freer. The fliers date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.14: Design Studios on Broad Art Gallery comprises of fliers advertising art exhibitions at the Design Studios on Broad Art Gallery. The subseries' contents are dated 2011.
Subseries 3.15: FTP House contains a flier advertising Hootenanny for Hellraisers networking party at the FTP House. The subseries dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.16: The Garage consists of a flier advertising the Sweater Shoppe at The Garage. The flier dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.17: Indy Media Carriage House comprises of a flier advertising DIY punk bands performing at the Indy Media Carriage House. The flier dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.18: It Looks Like It's Open comprises of fliers advertising musical performances and video showings at It Looks Like It's Open. The subseries' contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.19: The Milo Arts Building consists of a flier advertising the Milo Renewal fundraising event at the Milo Arts Building. The flier is dated 2007.
Subseries 3.20: Nuk Theatre consists of a flier advertising the showing of Catharc for Narcotica and films by Mike Kash and Mike Olenick at the Nuk Theatre. The flier dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.21: Ohio State University Campus comprises of fliers advertising musical performances, games, Winter Soldier testimonies, and Occupy the Oval on the Ohio State University's campus. The subseries' contents were created between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.22: Ohio State Courthouse consists of fliers publicizing Occupy the Courts, marches, and rallies at the Ohio State Courthouse. The fliers are dated 2006 to 2012.
Subseries 3.23: Rivet comprises of a flier advertising the photography exhibit Fibers of America by Cory Piehowicz at the Rivet. The flier is dated 2012.
Subseries 3.24: Roy G Biv Gallery contains fliers, postcards, and a calendar advertising art exhibitions and events at the Roy G Biv Gallery. The subseries' contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.25: Seventh Son Brewing Company contains fliers advertising book swaps and flea markets at the Seventh Son Brewing Company. The fliers date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.26: Shout Out Loud Prints comprises of a flier advertising a DIY punk musical performance at the Shout Out Loud Prints. The flier dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.27: Skylab/The Shelf/Full Force Gallery/Bat Chapters comprises of fliers, photographs, artifacts, newsclippings, and correspondence advertising or affiliated with DIY punk musical performances, art exhibitions, film showings, movie marathons, and events at the Skylab. The Skylab began in approximately 1998 and is still in operation as of 2023. Located at 57 East Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio, it was a long running DIY art and experimental music space, hosting galleries and spaces for The Shelf (3rd and 4th Floors), Full Force Gallery (3rd and 4th Floors), and the Bat Chapters (adjoining building, 56 Lynn Street). The materials contained in the subseries date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.28: Sporeprint Infoshop consists of fliers, calendars, and a zine publicizing DIY punk musical performances, meetings, open houses, short films, and events at the Sporeprint Infoshop. Sporeprint Infoshop, in operation since 2007, was located at 175 East 5th Street in Columbus. It is uncertain if it is still in operation as of 2023. It was formed by a non-hieracrchal consensus based collective to act as a community space, hosting activist meetings, a lending library, a zine library, and a gallery wall for art exhibitions.
Subseries 3.29: Stauf's Coffee Roasters consists of a flier advertising a showing of punk rock photos and collages by Bret Liebendorfer at Stauf's Coffee Roasters. The flier dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.30: Summit United Methodist Church comprises of fliers advertising DIY punk musical performances at the Summit United Methodist Church. The subseries' contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.31: Tuttle Rec Center contains a flier advertising a DIY punk musical performances at the Tuttle Rec Center. The flier dates from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.38: Unidentified Locations comprises of fliers and calendars advertising DIY punk musical performances, vegetarian hot dog carts, art exhibitions, and Food Not Bombs events at unidentified locations. The subseries' contents date from 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.32: Urban Arts Space comrpises of fliers advertising book arts festivals and art exhibitions at the Urban Arts Space. The subseries' contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.33: Used Kids Records consists of fliers advertising DIY punk musical performances and used vinyl records sales at the Used Kids Records. The fliers date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.34: Voice of the Valley comprises of fliers advertising DIY punk musical performances at the Voice of the Valley. The subseries' contents are dated 2011.
Subseries 3.35: Wexner Center for the Arts consists of fliers advertising lectures at the Wexner Center for the Arts. The subseries' contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.36: Wholly Craft contains fliers advertising tours and musical performances at the Wholly Craft. The subseries' contents date from between 2002 to 2014.
Subseries 3.37: Wild Goose Creative consists of a flier advertising DIY punk musical performances at the Wild Goose Creative. The subseries' content is dated 2010.