320: England's Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock, and Beyond by Jon Savage

England's Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock, and Beyond by Jon Savage

Some consider this the definitive history of punk rock. Jon Savage looks at the origins of punk through the lens of one of its most famous practitioners -- the Sex Pistols. Savage is a thoughtful and talented writer, which makes this pop culture history more substantive than most. Good for those who lived through it, and those who want to learn about the British punk music of the 1970s.

Why this is progressive/liberal: Not all punks are progressive (in fact, many can be considered reactionary), but the pervasive spirit of anarchy and opposition to corporate power make them fellow travelers of the progressive.

322: Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 by Michael Azerrad

Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 by Michael Azerrad

In Our Band Could Be Your Life, music journalist Michael Azerrad chronicles the rise of the post-punk era in American music. Between the punk rock of the 1970s and the phenomena that was Nirvana in the 1990s there lies a substantial body of independent music that connects the two. Azerrad looks at 13 different bands including Black Flag, The Minutemen, The Replacements, The Butthole Surfers, Sonic Youth, and Fugazi.

"This is the story of post-punk indie rock in America and the bands whose do-it-yourself ethic paved the way for the grunge phenomenon of the 1990s. Without major label support, these bands depended on resourcefulness and creativity to survive."

Why this is progressive/liberal: Today and the three days that follow are about music and counterculture. While music and counterculture aren't by themselves progressive, there are some genres that embrace a radical spirit closely aligned with progressive values. Not everyone involved in this scene can be labeled a progressive, but the DIY philosophy of this musical movement is a key element of progressive action, from the abolitionists of the 19th century to the urban farm advocates of today.