An auburn-haired songstress holds a fawn. Shocking magenta hair falls to the shoulders of a blue nude strapped with artillery. A 1950s-model cop car rests peacefully at the bottom of the sea, washed in blues and purples revealing a silent white angel. Each outstanding print on display represents a prominent rock band. Each was created by Chuck Sperry.

In early 2011, Chuck Sperry, San Francisco artist and co-owner of Firehouse Kustom Rockart Company, made an unprecedented donation to the Library’s Art, Music and Recreation Department of over one hundred limited edition, hand-printed rock art posters. Officially entitled, The Chuck Sperry Archive, this collection comprehensively documents the Goldenvoice Music Series (at the Regency and Warfield Theaters) from 2008 to present, as well as selected Firehouse productivity related to the cultural-life of San Francisco.

This collection is exciting in both use of color and variety of content. Each silkscreen print is comprised of up to sixteen colors, applied as individual layers. The pieces reference styles ranging from Japanese nishiki-e, Austrian Expressionism, 1960s psychedelia, to the provocative punk poster tradition of Sperry’s youth.  Musicians such as Neko Case, Danzig, Bad Religion, Nick Cave, Soundgarden and The Black Keys are represented, as are a talented group of Bay Area graphic artists (Ron Donovan, Alex Fischer, Gregg Gordon, John Howard, Dave Hunter, Alan Hynes, Scott Johnson, Dennis Loren, Chris Shaw, Frank Zio, & Zoltron) who contributed to the Firehouse Goldenvoice Poster series under the art direction of Chuck Sperry.

High Volume Opening Reception

Thursday, October 20th from 6–7 pm
Latino/Hispanic Room A & B

High Volume will be on display at the San Francisco Public Library
October 7^th, 2011 – January 6^th, 2012 on the 4th floor.

Social Distortion with Chuck Ragan, Lucero, & Aggrolites at The Warfield poster by Frank Zio

Firehouse Goldenvoice Poster Series No. 128

This 18″ x 24″ silkscreen poster was printed on 14pt cougar stock for Social Distortion’s February 3rd and 4th concerts at The Warfield in San Francisco, CA. From an edition of 150, signed and numbered by artist Frank Zio.

This was created while listening exclusively to “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes” and “Walk the Line” (the Johnny Cash movie) more or less continuously. The illustration is pen, ink and brush, and the printing is executed on a natural finish, uncoated stock with Candy Apple Red, yellow-gold, and rich black inks. The art is inspired by the song “Bakersfield” From Social D’s last record. And Mike Ness said he would hang it in his studio.

$30 plus shipping

Ghostland Observatory at The Warfield poster by Frank Zio

Firehouse Goldenvoice Poster Series No. 107

Artist Frank Zio created a 6 color silkscreen poster completely hand illustrated and printed on uncoated Cougar 100lb. stock for the Ghostland Obesevatory concert at The Warfield in San Francisco, CA on August 20, 2010. This poster measures 14″ x 25″ and comes from an edition of 160, signed and numbered by the artist.

What we have here is a beautifully grotesque 6 color silkscreen, 3 colors of which are blends, meaning that the ink is mixed in the screen to create a (hopefully) nice, smooth gradient. It is definitely my cleanest print work, with air-tight registration and sumptuous color.  I went all out on this one, the art for the poster being completely hand drawn with ink by pen and brush.  I also ordered some special natural white uncoated paper stock, made with 10% post consumer waste, so feel good, O Patron of Posters! — Zio

$30 plus shipping 

Number 61 in the Firehouse Goldenvoice poster series is designed by Frank Zio for the Collective Soul concert with special guests Black Stone Cherry and Ryan Star on September 14, 2009 at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, CA. This silkscreen gig poster measures 19″ x 25″ comes signed and numbered by the artist from an edition of 120. On sale info will be posted when received, but you can also keep your eye on Etsy DreamZio in the meantime.

Frank Zio printed a rad poster at Hangar 18 for the 311 concert with Ziggy Marley and The Expendables on June 5, 2009 at the Santa Barbara Bowl in Santa Barbara, California. This silkscreen gig poster measures 17.75″ x 25″ and comes signed and numbered from an edition of 100 by the artist. Additional pictures at Zio’s facebook page.