Gabba Gabba Hey

Those who remember the days of pogo-ing, CBGB & OMFUG, and that brief and shining moment in time when WPIX-FM was the coolest radio station in the world can rejoice. Innersleeve Records in Amagansett is dedicating a day to celebrating the Ramones — those boys from Forest Hills — on Saturday, July 13.

In addition to a punky hardcore mix from DJ Wake n’ Bake from 3 to 5 PM, the store on Main Street will also have on hand a look back at the Ramones with photographer Chip Dayton, and a live acoustic performance of Ramones music by InCircles’ Jewlee Trudden.

And author Donna Gaines will sign copies of her latest book, “Why The Ramones Matter,” a celebration of Joey, DeeDee, Johnny, Marky, CJ, Clem, and Richie — the godfathers of punk.

In “Why the Ramones Matter,” Gaines compellingly makes the case that the Ramones gave us the central experience, through their music, of being an outsider, an outcast, a person who’s somehow defective, and the revolt against shame and self-loathing. Fans, she said, got it right away — from their own experience of alienation at home, at school, on the streets, and from themselves. This sense of estrangement and marginality permeates everything the Ramones still offer us as artists, and as people.

“Think of the disco era,” she said. “It was all about how you looked, the pretty people. And here were these kids in white T-shirts and jeans, and they accepted everyone. It was the exact opposite of trying to get into a club; they invited everyone in.”

Gaines is also the author of “Teenage Wasteland” and “A Misfit’s Manifesto.” She has written for Rolling Stone, Ms., the Village Voice, Spin, Newsday, and Salon. Her work has been published in underground fanzines, numerous trade and scholarly collections, professional journals, and textbooks. Her photographs, liner notes, paintings, lyrics, and poetry have been published or shown as well.

A sociologist and expert on youth violence and music subculture, Dr. Gaines has been interviewed extensively in newspapers, for documentaries, on radio and television. She grew up in Rockaway Beach, Queens, the surf town made famous by the Ramones, and spent many happy summers hanging out on the East End with Joey Ramone, eating lobsters at Gosman’s, drinking coffee at the Springs General Store, checking out local bands, and swimming in Bonac Creek.

According to DJ Wake n’ Bake, “I specialized in garage, trash, punk, sleazy rock-and-roll, metal, and everything else that made a good soundtrack for decadent behavior.” Wake n’ Bake relocated to eastern Long Island in 2017. “My first Ramones concert was in 1983 in Beaumont, TX.” The Ramones, he said, “were the soundtrack to my life for many years, and I will always hold them close to my heart.”

Chip “Rock” Dayton photographed the Ramones a year before the release of their first album, up until the release of “Subterranean Jungle.” In 2003, Rock published the book, “The Ramones Photography.” Rock said his biggest regret is passing up the band’s now famous gig at The Jag in East Hampton, because he got too drunk at The Seawolf. He has always had what he calls “a Ramonesy attitude”; as a child he never wanted to go down to the basement.

Jewlee Trudden is half of the acclaimed alternative high energy rock ‘n’ roll duo, InCircles. Featuring Jewlee on vocals and guitar and Oscar Silva on drums, they hail from the Bronx and Long Island. Selected by MMNY & Punk Island to perform in NYC’s Times Square, they’ve shared the stage alongside groups such as Midtown, The Casualties, Alkaline Trio, Priests, Patent Pending, and Glassjaw.

Books, band merch, music, and other toys will be available for purchase.

bridget@indyeastend.com