Customer Reviews

Hardcore California: A History of Punk and New Wave

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yeah, I agree with the guy below. What do you want, a textbook? This was written AT THE TIME and has been in my collection since 83. If you are lucky enough to find a copy somewhere, GRAB IT!

I mean, why go through all the revisionist history that is pumped out nowadays when you can read an actual document from the place and time?

For anyone interested in the history of West Coast punk music, this book is an absolute must. Like the reviewer below, I have had this book since it came out in 1983 and even then it was an essential first person document of an already-over scene. Many terrific bands emerged from the LA and SF punk scenes post-'83, and some of them (The Three O'Clock, the Bangles, and the Gun Club among others) are mentioned here, but where this book really shines is in Craig Lee's passionate but also accurate descriptions of the first amazing days of the punk scene in LA, and its seeds in the glitter and powerpop movements of the mid-70's. Anyone looking for in-depth sociological analysis might be disappointed and should go read one of Greil Marcus' over-analyzed doorstops instead. But anyone looking for the raw feel and emotion of those early days of a major music movement will find this a captivating read. As an example I give Craig Lee's description of the effects of the first Damned show in LA in May 1977:

<As the Damned charged through the sloppy, intense shambles of a set at the Starwood, the LA kids immediately picked up on the energy and the theatricality of the band. It was making them FEEL SOMETHING. By the end of the Damned set, people looked around, some with a shock of recognition on their faces. Bonds were forming. The poseurs were being separated from the possessed.>

This is as perfect a description of the amazing power of rock in general and punk in particular as I've ever read. Punk has always been like this--you either get it, and love it, or you don't.
There are certainly other books out there that seek to catalog the emergence of the LA punk scene, and I recommend all of them as well. But one thing you will find is that even longer books like Brendan Mullen's "We've Got the Neutron Bomb" simply add a few more details to Craig Lee's description here. As much as I liked Mullen's book, its main contribution beyond what Craig Lee describes here is his greater fleshing out of the pre-punk glitter scene and some of the seminal bands involved (Christopher Milk, Zolar X, the Berlin Brats, and the Quick). Buy THIS book, look at the many amazing pictures, and let yourself get swept up in the excitement of one of the most electrifying musical movements and vital scenes of the last 30 years.

This is definitely one of the best of the punk books. Written in 1983, the photos are wonderful, the text informative - this was clearly done by people who were part of the scene back then, who knew and understood what was going on.

From the perspective of a researcher I could maybe see how this book could be disagreeable, but for those interested in an overview of the bands & the scenes it's fine. The book doesn't get philosophically deep about any one band in particular or CA punk in general, but it does outline a lotta info for those who aren't already familiar (more LA than SF)....It's pretty linear and conversational. The pictures are teriffic. Too bad there's no index, though.

the book hasn't been updated since 1983 -- for the reason that it's written by and about a past scene. the lack of objectivity makes it a worthwhile read. what do you want, a punk rock textbook? buy this -- it's hard to find.

First it is obvious why it is out of print--it hasn't been updated since 1983. I bought it at amazon (used) and really regret it. I am reseaching punk music and wanted a good view of the LA and SF scenes. This book has way too many pictures (a few great pictures--most are dull) and the text is written in a journalistic style that seems too close to the subject. Hardcore includes the quality bands on the scene but also focus on bands that have no influence on music and even fans of punk music has never heard of. Don't be tempted to get this--I am saving you from this hell!