New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye: Bands, Dirty Basements, and the Search for Self [Paperback]

Ronen Kauffman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Hopeless Records (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967728746
• ISBN-13: 978-0967728742
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #998,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you were from the Northeast!!!!, September 23, 2010

By 

C. Wilbur "Rock Snob" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye: Bands, Dirty Basements, and the Search for Self (Paperback)

I know one person already addressed this as a NY/NJ thing. It goes beyond that. Coming out of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA scene of the 90's this book hits home like a ton of bricks. Throughout the country there were little pocket scenes, somehow so many of us came together, because if you wanted to see the bands you loved you sometimes you needed to travel in many cases. For me Ronen's book just reminded me of a time, a place, and a feeling. When I realized I had at least one copy of his zine sitting around in my attic, it made the book all that more valid. If you lived in the Northeastern region of the US in the 90's and were into punk/hardcore/"the scene" whatever term you want to use to define it, you'll understand this book all too well. Events described will bring up fond memories and hopefully reminders of who we are. Overall an excellent read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars true believers, March 26, 2008

By 

amy appel (nyc) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye: Bands, Dirty Basements, and the Search for Self (Paperback)

This book rules! It was a straightforward and fun read, though the language borders on colloquial at times. Recommended for those who like any kind of punk rock memoirs or cometbus, but be mindful this is NOT a formal documentation the scene at the time (though it doesn't CLAIM to be!), it is before anything a coming of age centered around the authors experiences and the effect that hardcore & punk had on his life, which is inspiring and very easy to relate to. Also recommended for fans of the author's podcast which is rad.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great coming-of-age story, July 20, 2007

By 

S. James "paranoid android" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye: Bands, Dirty Basements, and the Search for Self (Paperback)

Regardless of whether you are a fan of punk-rock music, or music at all, this book has something for everyone.

Set in the college town of New Brunswick, New Jersey during the mid-1990's, this book is one person's take on what would later turn out to be a very influential music/cultural scene.

Music fans will enjoy reading about the evolution of some of today's big music stars, who got their starts in the basements of run-down college town houses.

Others will enjoy the coming-of-age stories about a teenage boy finding his place in the world.


Well-written, funny and even a bit sad at times, this book was enjoyable from start to finish. If you can remember what it was like to be young and in search of your place in this world, you will enjoy this book.