Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
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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.

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.

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.

This is essential reading for anyone who's even been involved in the NJ/NY punk/hardcore/emocore/etc community. For those of you who enjoy Thursday, Saves the Day, The Bouncing Souls, Lifetime--learn about the scene these bands rose from. For fans of Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, and other more popular bands--learn the scene that inspired these bands.

The history lessons keep on coming. The author clearly states he is not attempting to capture the history of the scene, but merely the part he was involved with.. and it's done wonderfully.

Pick it up.

My cajones are mentioned in this book. Twice.

Is that a reason to buy it? No. Is it a reason to love it? Unequivocally.

Here's an old school Go! for all you new school kids...Go! pick this book up. You'll be glad you did.

I just got this book a week ago and I am so sad that I finished it already! It was fantastic! I visited/lived in New Brunswick at the same time and am the same age as Ronen, so I just kept finding myself laughing out loud and exclaiming "I was there!" or "We did that!" for many of the events in the book...It was such a trip down memory lane for me! Besides that, it is so well written and really makes you feel like you are experiencing things right along with the author...so even if you have never been to New Brunswick, you really get a taste of what it was like there! If you read this book, you WILL enjoy it! :)

I can honestly say that this is the best book i've read in a while.

I liked Kauffman's anecdotes about the New Brunswick of my brother's day, a New Brunswick I had just left. His tales of mishaps and crazy roommate stories made me laugh. His musings of figuring out who he was and who he was going to be made me nod in remembrance.

All you need to know if you're looking at the page already, is that yes, it's way worth picking it up. GO!

If you need more prodding, then I'll just say that this book almost fully encapsulates what it was like to grow up with the hardcore scene as a driving force in your life. If this is something you can relate to, you'll find yourself remembering so many stories from your own past and looking back on how you reached the point you're at now. If this is something new to you, you'll find that while the soundtrack is different, the themes are universal to all alienated kids searching for their place in the world, and Ronan so perfectly puts into words what we all were thinking and feeling.

Also, if you dig the book, check out Ronen's podcast Issue Oriented.