Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2012-06-18/WikiProject report

This week, we turn to WikiProject Punk Music for an alternative view of Wikipedia's coverage of music topics. The project has grown from its modest beginnings in April 2006 into a refuge for Wikipedia's punks along with the 5 Featured Articles and 27 Good Articles they watch over. WikiProject Punk Music is home to the Good Charlotte Task Force and oversees two child projects, WikiProject The Clash and WikiProject Green Day. The project maintains a to do list, a portal, and a newsletter that is delivered to anyone listed on the project's participant page. We interviewed Jasper420, Guerillero, Benzband, and Pjoef.

'''What motivated you to join WikiProject Punk Music? What is you favorite Punk band?'''
 * Jasper420: It's one of the only subjects on which I am knowledgeable, which in turn is mostly due to the work of Wikiproject Punk writing Wikipedia articles. And lets go with The Gaslight Anthem. They're one of the only bands who've consistently been putting excellent music, and they've done it for 3 straight albums.
 * Guerillero: I have been involved with the punk scene since Jr High. This is a natural extension of my involvement. As for a favorite band — that is hard. I will list three: Minor Threat, Fugazi, and The Wonder Years.
 * Benzband: I listen to the music (punk, hardcore punk and ska punk), play it (in the garage, lol), and edit related articles. What other motivation does one need? :) As for bands there are a number of really great ones, too many to draw up a list here.
 * Pjoef: When I was 13, I was in a Heavy Metal/Punk Rock band called Larsen (from the audio feedback named after the Danish scientist). I listen to all kinds of music from Josquin des Prez to The Mars Volta, from the Renaissance to Trance, but my favourite band of all time is The Clash, " the only band that (still) matters ". Punk Rock is an attitude, and the essence of the attitude is give Wikipedia some more articles and contents about Punk!

'''The project claims 6 Featured Articles and Lists plus 26 Good Articles. Have you worked on any of these? Have you learned anything about the FA or GA process along the way?'''
 * Jasper420: I'm sure I've done something small to at least one of them, but I don't participate in the writing process.
 * Benzband: ↑ this.
 * Guerillero: I am not much of a writer; my strength in the main-space is sourcing. I have worked on some B class and below articles, straight edge for example, but I have never brought an article to GA status or have done substantial work on an article that is already a GA or FA. Maybe one day...
 * Pjoef: Maybe yes, but honestly I haven't learned so much about FA and GA processes except for the GA nominations of The Clash and London Calling articles.

'''In comparison to other music genres, how well does Wikipedia cover Punk music? Are there some aspects of Punk that tend to be over-represented or neglected?'''
 * Jasper420: I'm pretty sure Wikiproject Metal has us beat in a lot of areas, including Featured Articles.
 * Guerillero: Wikipedia covers punk as well as it can in quantity; the quality is where things are lacking. There is a whole lot of sourcing and improving that needs to be done.
 * Pjoef: The assessment departments of all WikiProjects about music (all kinds of) speak for themselves. There is a lot more work to do.

'''Are there any challenges to taking pictures of notable musicians and venues? What are some images the project could use help acquiring?'''
 * Jasper420: Not so much band images, but albums covers are always appreciated.
 * Guerillero: There are quite a few bands (70s and 80s) that have very few free images because most donate-able images are still on film. For example there are many notable bands that have no pictures.
 * Pjoef: We really need more pictures!

'''The project oversees three task forces focusing on individual bands. Have you been involved in any of these? How much collaboration goes on between the task forces and the parent project?'''
 * Benzband: There is The Clash WikiProject which hasn't been very active recently but editors are most welcome to join.
 * Pjoef: I started it in November 2007. There is also a good Portal.

'''What are the project's greatest needs? How can a new contributor help today?'''
 * Jasper420: We can always use people to upload album covers. That's what I do around here, but help is of course appreciated. There's also a bit of an overhaul going on with some of the major punk record labels, such as Bridge 9, SideOneDummy, and Punk Core, among others. Categorization and what not. Anyone interested can contact me.
 * Pjoef: To improve all articles related to Punk.
 * Guerillero: Bringing articles up to 2012 levels of sourcing is always an easy place to start. Another would be to look for a crufty stub to fix up and bring up to Start or C class.

Anything else you'd like to add?
 * Jasper420: Let's just go ahead and say, help is always needed.
 * Benzband: "The future is unwritten." Let's write it!
 * Pjoef: "This is a public service announcement with guitar: Know Your Rights — all FIVE of them."

Next week is the start of the WikiProject Report's first Summer* Sports Series. In the meantime, stretch your legs in the archive. * Winter for our friends in the south