Marking a milestone in Wax Poetics history, Issue 30 is dedicated entirely to the art of rock and roll, the WP way. The Bad Brains cover story charts the enigmatic band’s righteous journey through punk rock history. The legendary Elvis Presley gets unique exposure as we shine a light on the legend’s return to Memphis, and form.

re:Discovery The Equals, Riverson, Johnny Jenkins, Pitch, Black & White the Holey Smoke Show In Memoriam: Jimmy McGriff 1936-2008, Buddy Miles 1947-2008, Bo Diddley 1928-2008, Ike Turner 1931-2008 Volatile Combination The Compounded Sound of the Dirtbombs Color Blind The Blues Project Didn’t Need a Reason to Love the Blues Compared to What? The Black Rock Coalition’s Fight to Break the Mold Element of Surprise Iron Knowledge Still Leaves Them Guessing Gateway to Distortion Anatolian Rock Fused Turkish Folk With Fuzz High Tide The Ebb and Flow of Folksinger Sixto Rodriguez Bass is Loaded Babe Ruth’s Hip-Hop Homerun Ray of Hope The Rascals Strive for Harmony Against All Odds Back in Black A Twist of Fate For Pioneers Black Merda Band in D.C. Bad Brains Came with Extraordinary Positivity Out of the Nation’s Capital Dread at the Control Filmmaker Don Letts Manned a Culture Clash Patron Saint of Rhythm Dave Bartholomew is Rock and Roll’s Unheralded Godfather Guitar Hero Ernie Isley Finds His Place Among Rock Royalty American Idol How a Gritty Memphis Studio Helped Elvis Get Real Again Sound Synthesis The Punk-Funk of Prince and the Rebels