ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a flavour of the theoretical material that is most useful to understanding of the development of popular music in particular locations. It outlines the importance of the term 'milieu' and the situating of a phenomenological perspective within a cultural field of production approach as defined by Bourdieu. The chapter discusses the development of the city of Bristol, giving some demographics and some history–these elements are important for understanding the fabric and cultural geographic make-up of the city. It also outlines the developments of different musical spheres within the city: the 'Dug Out' club, reggae, jazz, punk, alternative rock, new wave and pop. The main punk bands to emerge then were The Cortinas, Disorder, Lunatic Fringe, Chaos UK, Court Martial, The Undead and a band who were not from Bristol but whose main members lived in the city, The Amebix.
