John Holmstrom
Encyclopedia
John Holmstrom is an American underground
cartoonist
and writer
. He is best known for illustrating the covers of the Ramones
albums Rocket to Russia
and Road to Ruin
, as well as his characters Bosko and Joe (published in Scholastic's Bananas
magazine from 1975–1984).
As the founding editor of Punk Magazine at the age of 21 in late 1975, Holmstrom's work became the visual representation of the Punk era. After Punk ceased publication in 1979, he worked for several publications, including The Village Voice
, Video Games magazine, K-Power, and Heavy Metal
.
In 1986, Holmstrom contributed a comic-based chronology of punk rock for Spin
magazine's special Punk issue. In 1987, Holmstrom began to work for High Times magazine as Managing Editor, was soon promoted to Executive Editor, and in 1991 was promoted to Publisher and President. In 1996 he stepped aside to launch the High Times website.
He left High Times in 2000, and went on to work on other projects. He relaunched PUNK magazine for a few issues (before the events of 9/11 ended it), published a Bosko comic book, and got involved in several Japanese clothing deals. In September 2007 he was interviewed during the closing of CBGB
.
, and Loren Cass
.
Underground comix
Underground comix are small press or self-published comic books which are often socially relevant or satirical in nature. They differ from mainstream comics in depicting content forbidden to mainstream publications by the Comics Code Authority, including explicit drug use, sexuality and violence...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. He is best known for illustrating the covers of the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
albums Rocket to Russia
Rocket to Russia
Rocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on November 4, 1977 through Sire Records. It was their last with original drummer Tommy Ramone. The album incorporates surf rock and other influences. It includes some of the Ramones' best-known...
and Road to Ruin
Road to Ruin (Ramones album)
Road to Ruin is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on September 22, 1978 through Sire Records...
, as well as his characters Bosko and Joe (published in Scholastic's Bananas
Bananas (magazine)
Bananas was an American humor magazine for teenagers. Scholastic Press published 72 issues between 1975 and 1984, plus various "Yearbooks" and paperback books....
magazine from 1975–1984).
As the founding editor of Punk Magazine at the age of 21 in late 1975, Holmstrom's work became the visual representation of the Punk era. After Punk ceased publication in 1979, he worked for several publications, including The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, Video Games magazine, K-Power, and Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal (magazine)
Heavy Metal is an American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine, known primarily for its blend of dark fantasy/science fiction and erotica. In the mid-1970s, while publisher Leonard Mogel was in Paris to jump-start the French edition of National Lampoon, he discovered the French...
.
In 1986, Holmstrom contributed a comic-based chronology of punk rock for Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
magazine's special Punk issue. In 1987, Holmstrom began to work for High Times magazine as Managing Editor, was soon promoted to Executive Editor, and in 1991 was promoted to Publisher and President. In 1996 he stepped aside to launch the High Times website.
He left High Times in 2000, and went on to work on other projects. He relaunched PUNK magazine for a few issues (before the events of 9/11 ended it), published a Bosko comic book, and got involved in several Japanese clothing deals. In September 2007 he was interviewed during the closing of CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
.
Acting
While not one of his primary focuses, he has appeared in the films School for Vandals, End of the Century: The Story of the RamonesEnd of the Century: The Story of the Ramones
End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones is a 2003 documentary film about highly influential New York punk rock band the Ramones. The film, produced and directed by Jim Fields and Michael Gramaglia, documents the band's history from their formation in the early 1970s and 22 subsequent years of...
, and Loren Cass
Loren Cass
Loren Cass is a feature-length motion picture, directed by 21-year-old independent filmmaker Chris Fuller, about adolescents coming to terms with their lives in St. Petersburg, Florida after the 1996 riots there. The film took ten years to complete....
.