After two years in the making, the much anticipated release of Ms. Karyn Gray’s first book, Black Sheep: An unconventional look at good ol’ family values, is set for June 4th at the Off the Hook boutique (1021a Ste. Catherine O.) in Montreal, Canada.

The book is a collection of photographs, stories, and reflections on family from the perspective of individuals involved in underground scenes, aiming to challenge the presumption that people involved in these cultures come from unstable homes or have poor family values.

This 9 by 9 “coffee table” book is a compilation of quotes and stories from over 70 people from many sub-cultures and “alternative” scenes; in most cases, the contributors have also included family photos to give the reader a closer, more exclusive look into thier lives. The book also boasts over 100 additional photos depicting subcultures and subculture participants’ families, including shots from photographers like Susie Horgan, Heather McGrath, Scott Wade, Gordon Ball, Susan Moss, DannyGirl Hallas, Paul Stewart, and Jamie Siever.

A-Trak, Amir Fallah, Andrew Neufeld, Andrew W.K., Asch Harwood, Ben Dussault, Bloodshot Bill, Brad Forste, Charlie Harper, Chris Rawson, Chuck Comeau, Clank, Classified, Curt Gove, Damian Ford Abraham, Danny Diablo, Darryl Jenifer, Dave Brockie, Dave Ellefson, Dave One, Dave Smalley, Dave Hackett, Flow, Freddy Madball, Fubz, Greg Selkoe, Greg Weeks,  Heather McGrath, Henry Rollins, Hugo Mudie, Ian MacKaye, Jay Millette, Jenn Elliot, Joe Keithley, John Earle, John Holmstrom, Jonathan Bergeron, Kevin Lyman, Lisa Root, Lorraine Muller, Luke Hoskin, Melissa Auf der Maur, Menno Versteeg, Mer Van Roost, Oli Van Roost, Michealangelo Trujillo, Mike McDermott, Nicole Hollis-Vitale, OMEN, Orion Revolution Curiel, Penelope Spheeris, Plastik Patrik, Rachel Tremblay, Rej Claveau, Richie Parsons, Robert LaSardo, Roberta Bayley, Robin Sernich, Roger Miret, Rupert Bottenberg, Sage Francis, Scien & Klor, Scott Prunier, Scott Radinsky, Spencer Moody, Todd Askins, Touch, Vero Ouellette, Trever Smith, Tripp Underwood

Karyn Gray has worked as the editor-in-chief of Under Pressure Magazine, a staff writer for Beautiful/Decay Magazine, and a contributing music and culture journalist for an array of others, including Outburn, Hails & Horns, and Skin Deep. Her involvement in hardcore, punk, skate, graffiti, and tattoo culture have catalyzed her desire to change people’s perspectives regarding this subject matter. Black Sheep, a completely DIY project since its inception, will be self-published and distributed through Karyn’s own company, GraySideProjects.

“In the end, this book is for the contributors and all the people out there involved in different underground scenes. This is a chance to celebrate our families, to tell a story about or to present our thoughts on the concept of family, and why it’s so important to us…This book is also for the people not familiar with these contributors or the scenes in which they participate. When people are different, they’re typically defined by those differences. But it usually isn’t too difficult to find some common ground. More than anything else, I think that family is what most of us have in common. So instead of noticing your differences, this is a chance to embrace your similarities.”