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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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1 To recognize, honor, and celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Smash! Records situated in the
2 District’s historic arts and counterculture strip of Adam’s Morgan, and to recognize Matt
3 Moffatt, and the original owner Bobby Polsky, for their commitment to providing a
4 vibrant music community in the D.C. punk/hardcore scene and weathering the transitions
5 of both an ever-changing local music scene and an evolving rock music industry.
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7 WHEREAS, Smash! Records was established in Georgetown in 1984 and has since
8 cemented itself as the premier punk/alternative music and fashion store in Washington, DC, and
9 is now aptly located in the Adam’s Morgan strip on 18th Street NW in Ward 1, a neighborhood
10 that has contributed to the rich record of live performances and establishing itself as a distinctive
11 space for both community engagement and musical expression;
12 WHEREAS, original founder Bobby Polsky opened Smash Records as a gathering place
13 for alternative/punk subcultures in the 1980s to counter the influence of mainstream music
14 spaces owned by corporations;
15 WHEREAS, Smash Records was the first store in the District to sell Dr. Martens
16 Airwave fashion apparel in the 80s and continues to be full of everything needed to fulfill the
17 alternative dream—music, clothes, shoes, vintage wares, and tons of attitude;
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18 WHEREAS, Matt Moffatt, the current owner since 2007, began his career as an
19 employee at the store, does not like to make lists of his favorite records because it’s impossible,
20 and promises to always have vinyl stocked from Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Fugazi;
21 WHEREAS, Smash! Records celebrated their 40th anniversary at the legendary Black Cat
22 music venue in Ward 1 where local superstar bands Des Demonas, NØ MAN, The Goons, and
23 Lorelei performed to celebrate the past four decades of sounds and ideas that Smash Records
24 marked in D.C. culture;
25 WHEREAS, the Council looks forward to the ongoing cultivation of the District’s
26 creative and cultural spaces, ensuring that longtime and new residents, can enjoy the District’s
27 rich musical heritage.
28 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
29 resolution may be cited as the “Smash! Records 40th Anniversary Ceremonial Recognition
30 Resolution of 2024”.
31 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates Smash Records
32 operating successfully for 40 years and enhancing the District’s art community.
33 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in
34 the District of Columbia Register.
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