Top 5 Books About Hardcore Punk

By Derek Neuland

1 November 2008 One Comment

5. Salad Days by Charles Romalotti- A great novel about being involved in the 80’s hardcore scene in Kansas. Very well written and really makes you feel like you’re right there. Also, the only novel on this list.

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4. American Hardcore: A Tribal History by Steven Blush- Eye catching cover? Check. Comprehensive discography of noteworthy hardcore releases? Check. Lots of great stories about lots of great hardcore bands? Check. This book has all of this, plus more. There is even a documentary based on the book released in 2007.

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3. Schism: New York Hardcore Fanzine by Porcell & Alex Brown- Ask anyone into hardcore about Schism and the first thing they will probably mention is the Project X 7″. Not only will you be able to read the issue that the legendary 7″ came with, but every other issue released that are packed with interviews and photos of all of the great hardcore bands of the late 80’s/early 90’s. This book is truly a piece of history, and we have Bridge 9 Records to thank for reprinting these zines for the first time.

2. Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capitol by Mark Andersen and Mark Jenkins- This is a history book that I wish was assigned to me in high school. Anyone interested in how bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, S.O.A formed and started playing shows need to check this book out. Unlike some music history books, this book is hard to put down and never gets dull. A well written history of D.C. hardcore punk coupled with the 100’s of amazing photos scattered throughout makes this book a must have for any serious music fan.

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1. All Ages: Reflections on Straight Edge by Beth Lahickey- Despite the title, this book is not focused solely on straight edge. All Ages is a compilation of interviews with band members, club owners, roadies, and show attendees in the 80’s and 90’s hardcore scene. While the majority of interviews are with involved in the NYC and Connecticut scenes, there are several interviews with people outside of the East Coast such as Kevin Seconds from 7 Seconds and Dan O’Mahoney from No For An Answer. This book is by far the best representation of hardcore in the 80’s and 90’s. Instead of having a polished and edited story about what happened, the book lets you read exactly what the people who were there have to say in the form of unedited interviews. Along with the numerous interviews, it also contains a ton of great photos and fliers from the era that really complete the book.

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Honorable Mentions:
-Radio Silence: A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music by Nathan Nedorostek
-The Anti-Matter Anthology: A 1990s Post-Punk & Hardcore Reader
-Straight Edge: Clean-Living Youth, Hardcore Punk, And Social Change by Ross Haenfler