This is the first and only book on the last great wave of punk rock. Musician and journalist Eric Davidson (Village Voice, CMJ, SF Bay Guardian) was there as this scene unfolded, tracking the inspiration and beautiful destruction of this largely undocumented movement. The Black Lips, the late Jay Reatard, The Dirtbombs, the White Stripes, the Reigning Sound, and the Hives (to name but a few) all sprang from an underground music scene where similarly raw bands, enjoying various degrees of success and hard luck, played in venues ranging from dive bars to massive festivals, but were mostly ignored by a music industry focused on mega-bands and shiny pop stars. They reveled in 50s rock n roll and 60s garage rock as much as they did Iggy Pop, the Ramones, and Black Flag, while creating their own wave of gut-busting riffs and rhythm. The majority of bands that populate this book, the Dwarves, the Gories, the Supersuckers, the Mummies, the Oblivians, Billy Childish, Rocket From The Crypt, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Cheater Slicks, Teengenerate, and the Donnas among them, gained little long-term reward from their nonstop touring and brain-slapping records. What they did get was free liquor, good drugs, guilt-free sex, and a crazy good time, all the while building a dedicated fan base that extends across America, Europe, and Japan.
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About the Author
Eric Davidson had his share of sleazy good times and success as the singer of the Columbus, Ohio punk band New Bomb Turks, who have played hundreds of gigs in dozens of countries on three continents and countless labels.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A. Koziol
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've seen the New Bomb Turks live a dozen times or so and when I caught wind of this book from a former Teengenerate member's blog, I had to check it out. Davidson's got a great turn of phrase and his writing style is both polysyllabic and accessible. Not quite a thinking man's Please Kill Me, just more intelligent sounding. Collegiate, if you will. Am I even allowed to say that? Dilligaf.
In reading, you might find yourself reference checking the way a record collector's "record collector" knows more than you ever will and you just pick up some new stuff as you go along. A lot of the honorable mentions and also-rans in this book are scattered about in my own record collection so it's good to know you weren't the only loser feverishly mailing in money orders or cash (pre-Ebay & Paypal) to grab up some low-pressing copy of some inept, 3-chord noise from a band no one's ever heard of and probably never will unless they read this book. But there were these niches within niches and that gets a good deal of fleshing out here which is good. Many of the bands that Davidson mentions toured many places and countries long before more famous bands were around for even a year. Even the Mummies know that a reunion show will only work in Japan ([...]). Who else would see them in the 21st century that's even heard of them?
I recall many of the stories in this book during the time of I would call the 2nd wave of garage rock influenced by people too young to have "been there" when punk exploded on the scene during the mid-70s but old enough to have started their own bands and been influenced by the 1st-wavers. Gunk punk? Maybe, I don't know. I'm no expert but I know what Davidson means by it.... Read more ›
In reading, you might find yourself reference checking the way a record collector's "record collector" knows more than you ever will and you just pick up some new stuff as you go along. A lot of the honorable mentions and also-rans in this book are scattered about in my own record collection so it's good to know you weren't the only loser feverishly mailing in money orders or cash (pre-Ebay & Paypal) to grab up some low-pressing copy of some inept, 3-chord noise from a band no one's ever heard of and probably never will unless they read this book. But there were these niches within niches and that gets a good deal of fleshing out here which is good. Many of the bands that Davidson mentions toured many places and countries long before more famous bands were around for even a year. Even the Mummies know that a reunion show will only work in Japan ([...]). Who else would see them in the 21st century that's even heard of them?
I recall many of the stories in this book during the time of I would call the 2nd wave of garage rock influenced by people too young to have "been there" when punk exploded on the scene during the mid-70s but old enough to have started their own bands and been influenced by the 1st-wavers. Gunk punk? Maybe, I don't know. I'm no expert but I know what Davidson means by it.... Read more ›
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By lan
Format:Paperback
My epicly long review has been taken down for some reason. I think I gave the book two stars then, but that was fresh after reading it and after more thought I'd have to give it a 1. The only reason I'm bothering to rereview it is that somebody who buys this expecting a "five star" book is probably going to be disappointed, and I wish somebody had given me the straight dope before I bought it.
As somebody else wrote, the book is sloppy and slapdash (but that person gave it five stars for some reason - probably the same reason the other reviewers did, which was trying to help push the book, I guess). The whole thing seems like a rush job, and you can get more information on most or all of the bands covered from the internet. Some bands are barely mentioned, as though it was felt they had to be worked in somewhere but there wasn't time to actually find out anything about them.
The prime example I remember is mentioning Junk Records because they were run by a Brother (African-American, that is.) He doesn't go into the story of the label, which is pretty interesting and all too typical one (kept getting every hot band down the pike to sign up to do records and then let the recordings sit in limbo and not release them because of problems in the company that eventually made them shut down, keeping everything). The brief
namedrop then segues into the Bellrays, because their singer is also African-American, though he doesn't go into any detail about them anyway. I already knew they existed, thanks - I've got their records, as well as more than a few Junk records. And for anyone who didn't know they existed, the brief bit in here isn't going to get them interested.... Read more ›
As somebody else wrote, the book is sloppy and slapdash (but that person gave it five stars for some reason - probably the same reason the other reviewers did, which was trying to help push the book, I guess). The whole thing seems like a rush job, and you can get more information on most or all of the bands covered from the internet. Some bands are barely mentioned, as though it was felt they had to be worked in somewhere but there wasn't time to actually find out anything about them.
The prime example I remember is mentioning Junk Records because they were run by a Brother (African-American, that is.) He doesn't go into the story of the label, which is pretty interesting and all too typical one (kept getting every hot band down the pike to sign up to do records and then let the recordings sit in limbo and not release them because of problems in the company that eventually made them shut down, keeping everything). The brief
namedrop then segues into the Bellrays, because their singer is also African-American, though he doesn't go into any detail about them anyway. I already knew they existed, thanks - I've got their records, as well as more than a few Junk records. And for anyone who didn't know they existed, the brief bit in here isn't going to get them interested.... Read more ›
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By oldmanron
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
...it could have used a bit more more work, either by it being longer or less 'comprehensive'- trying to cover too many 'scenes' is a big mistake of the book. The more rounded-out sections, such as the ones on the Gories, the Devil Dogs,Pussy Galore and the Gibson Brothers are both great info and fun to read. On the other hand, the sections on The Lazy Cowgirls, the Cheater Slicks and Dead Moon are absurdly short given how important both bands were and are (the 'Slicks are still at it!) Also, the manner in which Davidson attempts to wrap it all up feels sloppy and slapdash.
Also, many important underground rock bands are overlooked completely because they do not fit into the 'garage punk' category. Which as it turns out (and this is what make the book the most informative) was created by none other than Tim Warren, who did more for shaping and moulding the Garage Punk sound than anyone else. As the book reveals, the Gories got their sound by listening to 'Back from the Grave' compilations, which was issue by Warren's Crypt label. The 'Gunk Punk' label is Davidson's make-believe moniker, and that is it.
In spite of the faults, I would still recommend this book for anyone interested in music from the era. As far as I know, no other books have been written on this subject.
Also, many important underground rock bands are overlooked completely because they do not fit into the 'garage punk' category. Which as it turns out (and this is what make the book the most informative) was created by none other than Tim Warren, who did more for shaping and moulding the Garage Punk sound than anyone else. As the book reveals, the Gories got their sound by listening to 'Back from the Grave' compilations, which was issue by Warren's Crypt label. The 'Gunk Punk' label is Davidson's make-believe moniker, and that is it.
In spite of the faults, I would still recommend this book for anyone interested in music from the era. As far as I know, no other books have been written on this subject.
By skullie666
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Loved every minute of reading this book... it's filled with gems and great memories filtered through the watchful eyes of Eric Davidson. He's got a way with words! Now where the hell is my 20-Song download? The link for weneverlearnbook.com is dead... can anyone let me know where I can download this soundtrack? I wanna hear it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
IT'S CALLED GARAGE PUNK.
Don't believe the 5-star reviews. They're standard Amazon shills - friends, fans, relatives, etc.
The author's insider status should've been a strength, but he's so... Read more
The author's insider status should've been a strength, but he's so... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Billy Deeter
5.0 out of 5 stars
we never learn !
how come its taken this long for a book about the best era in punk ! thank you !so many good memories ! or lack there of!viva new bomb turks .............
Published 5 months ago by aaron lackie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good stuff
Cleverly researched and written. Not many others out there can offer as thoughtful, thought provoking and entertaining insight as Davidson does regarding this topic. Read more
Published 5 months ago by scarlett dubious
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read!
This is a super quick read that's full of all kinds of fun junk. Great stories from the people that were around during the '88-'01 period the book focuses on. Read more
Published 14 months ago by charles gaskins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Takes me back, and makes me want to see the new kids play gunk punk!
I saw the New Bomb Turks (the author's band), Gaunt, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, and Cheater Slicks countless times when I lived in Columbus, Ohio, from 1992 to 1999. Read more
Published on August 25, 2010 by John G. Norman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ya Wish It Was a Little Longer
I finished this baby in about 4 days. Honestly, content-wise, I give it a 4.5 (stars), but Eric's effort to get the word out on these bands cannot be appreciated enough. Read more
Published on August 17, 2010 by coyler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Echoing the Positive Reviews
I think the first two reviewers have nailed it, great book and definitely fills in some rock history gaps. Should be required reading in the history of rock and roll class. Read more
Published on July 7, 2010 by D. L. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent compendium for records with no information
Having tried to suss information about many of these bands (ex: The Mummies, The Makers, The Oblivians, et al) with no luck, this fine book fills in many biographical and... Read more
Published on July 7, 2010 by rsticha
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