Why Be Something, That You're Not

Why Be Something, That You're Not (Detroit Hardcore 1979-1985) by Tony Rettman

A few weeks ago, I bought this book from Amazon.  I then proceeded to read it over a weekend.  It is 239 pages, but a really quick read.  Prior to reading the book, I did not know a lot about the Detroit Hardcore punk scene outside of The Meatmen and Negative Approach.

The book evolves from the introduction of The Fix through to The Necros and finally to the bands mentioned above.  It was an interesting read about how Tesco Vee of The Meatmen played an influential role in the creation of the scene prior to starting his own band.

I was surprised to learn about how fragmented the scene was due to the slight difference in age (maybe 4-5 years).  Bands like DOA and Black Flag get mentions for their influence on helping create contacts nationwide for bands like The Fix and The Necros to setup their own tours.  It was also interesting to read about how The Fix and The Necros, while different in age, both faced similar struggles upon their return back to the Detroit area after their nationwide tours.  Neither band recognized the bands, style of music, and the change in culture of the scene that they in their own way helped to developed which led to the eventual break up of each band.

There were also interesting stories about venues each faction of the scene created for local bands to have a place to play.  Reading about the different fanzines created by this scene - Touch and Go, Burp!, Inside View - and their influence in spreading the word of local hardcore bands across the globe.  There was also an interesting relationship created between The Necros and New Jersey's Misfits and WDC's Minor Threat.

The book had lots of photos of shows, flyers from the scene, as well as, a brief listing of local shows and information on the local bands.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the influence the Detroit scene had on the spread of hardcore punk across the globe.

Commando

Commando - The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone

Last night, I cracked open this 175 page book for a brief read in an effort to tire the eyes so I could fall asleep.  I ended up finishing the book it was such a good read.

Johnny's story starts out talking about his love for baseball, his hatred for going to school, his late teen life of violence, a brief stint working as a steamfitter, and then his life in the Ramones.

There were a few things that I did not know about the Ramones that I learned in this book.  I didn't realize that Tommy Ramone was the driving force in getting the band started.  It was Tommy who kept on telling Johnny and Dee Dee to start a band.  Johnny loved music and didn't think he could play as good as the bands he was going to see every week until he saw the New York Dolls.

It was interesting to read about Johnny's concern about "the uniform" that the band wore and how it was created over time.  I didn't know that Johnny married Joey's former girlfriend after courting her for years while she was still dating Joey.  They were afraid to start dating because they felt Joey would break up the band.

Johnny had a goal to put $1 million in the bank and then retire.  He achieved his goal, and then began earning enough $ from royalties that he didn't need to spend his savings.  Interesting that he had thoughts that there may have been reunion shows or releases of the new song here or there for compilation releases.  He put an end to those dreams when Joey died, and wouldn't play with another singer.  Then, he was hit hard by the death of Dee Dee.  Lastly, his own battle with cancer that he was unable to beat for the 3rd time.  Ultimately, he finished this book knowing he would not live to see it published.

This was a great read for anyone remotely interested in learning more about the Ramones through the straight forward stories of the originator of the 3 chord punk rock guitar player.

Original Rude Boy by Neville Staple

Well, after going to see The Specials last week, I finally decided to read this book that I bought around Christmas.  Unfortunately, Neville did not play with The Specials on this tour.  I really would have liked to have seen him perform.

As for the book, at 320+ pages, it was still a very quick read.  Neville with the help of Tony McMahon tell some interesting stories.

The beginning of the book talks about his move from Jamaica to England when he was 5 along with his brother and two sisters to go live with his Father and step mother.  He tells stories about his father ruling with an iron fist, and kicking the shit out him and his brother almost every day.  Needless to say, he left the house in his late teens and never looked back.

From there, it was on to a life of petty crime, fights against skinheads, staying out late listening and dancing to reggae, and spending time with the ladies.  If I recall correctly, he has 8 children from at least 5 different women.

After getting a start as what we would call a DJ, he somehow happened to be at the right place at the right time, and ended up as a roadie in one of the early versions of The Specials.  Then one night, he decided the crowd was not getting into the band and he jumped on stage grabbed the mic and started "toasting".  From that night forward, he became a member of the band.

The book goes on to discuss stories of his travels with the band, the band's breakup, his formation of Fun Boy Three with Terry Hall and Lynval Golding, his forray into Asian pop music as a writer and manager, a rebirth or two of The Specials, stories of his kids, etc.

Each chapter starts and ends with some black and white pictures from his own collection and those of some of his "rude boys".  The end of the book includes a discography too.

This was a great read, and I am glad that I finally decided to read through it.  It was the 2 Tone version of the autobiography written by Stinky Turner from the Cockney Rejects - music, booze, fighting, and women.

If you like The Specials, you will enjoy the stories told in this book.  Go get yourself a copy.

Sex Pistols: 90 Days at EMI

Sex Pistols: 90 Days at EMI by Brian Southall

A few weeks ago, I ordered the 35th Anniversary Box Set of the Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks from Amazon.  Unfortunately, they did not get it in for the release date so I cancelled my order.  Fortunately, I was able to order it from Amazon UK.  While placing my order, I also found this book and ordered it.

At about 150 pages, the book is still a really quick read.  It is the story of the days of the first label of the Sex Pistols as written by the former head of the press department at EMI Records during this timeframe of Fall 1976.

The book starts out with stories of the live shows of the Sex Pistols and the name they are making for themselves in the music underground.  Lots of labels are trying to sign them.  They finally sign a 2 year deal for 40,000 pounds to record 2 albums.

After releasing their first single on November 26, 1976, "Anarchy in the UK"/"I Wanna Be Me",  they are ready to set out on the Anarchy tour with The Damned, The Clash,  and Johnny Thunder and the Heartbreakers.  This was the Chris Thomas recorded version of the song.

Prior to the start of the tour they make an appearance on the Today Show on December 1, 1976 almost again their wishes and that of the host Bill Grundy.  At the end of the show while hitting on Siouxsie Sue (who went on to front Siouxsie and the Banshees), Grundy coaxes Johnny Rotten and Steve Jones to say "fuck" on live TV.  Remember this was 1976 and a family oriented TV program.  It would have been like John Boy on the Waltons saying "fuck".

The Anarchy tour implodes as venues refuse to let the band play.  Radio stations refuse to play the single.  Stores refuse to sell it.  Pressing plants refuse to make it.  Mounting pressures from EMI's board of directors concerned with their loss of business to their military and medical equipment core businesses, the band is sacked from the label on January 6, 1977.

There are a few final pages of the book that discuss what happened to the Sex Pistols and the players at EMI originally responsible for signing them that are interesting.  Overall, I am glad I made this purchase, and learn somethings about the band that I was previously unaware of.

Perfect Youth

Perfect Youth - The Birth of Canadian Punk by Sam Sutherland

This book takes its name from the first LP by Canada's Pointed Sticks.  I love some of their tracks, and thru listening to DOA and other Canadian punk bands have grown an interest in the Canadian punk scene.  When I read a few months ago that this book was coming out, I had to get my hands on it to see what it was going to be about.  Till now, I was not aware of any book that covered the punk scenes across Canada similar to that of American Hardcore, Burning Britain, etc (some of the books at the top of the blog page).

The book is broken down into individual chapters that discuss the beginning eras of local scenes in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, the Eastern provinces, Hamilton, Victoria, Saskatchewan, and Ottawa.  There are also a few chapters dedicated primarily to an individual band: The Diodes, Pointed Sticks, DOA, Forgotten Rebels, The Mods, Subhumans, and Teenage Head.

Each chapter is a collection of facts about band releases, venues that supported the scene and/or were opened by members within the scene, and some interview quotes from members of the bands, their managers, and other prominent people with knowledge of what happened back in the day.

There are interesting stories about the band personalities.  I had never heard of the Viletones and was unaware of their singer having a punk persona that was a cross between Darby Crash and GG Allin.  Several of the leaders of the scene have gone on to wealthy careers in politics, as lawyers, as recording agents, etc.  In fact, one of the guys mentioned is the COO of Live Nation.

The scenes all had their challenges and unique personalities.  Some were strongly supported by the gay community.  Others had to create their own places to play that opposed the local musician unions.

Some, like DOA, toured endlessly back and forth across the country creating paths for others to follow.  While doing so, they also spurred local bands to start up and get up on stage.  I was also surprised to read about some of the bands playing quite frequently in NYC.

The book has open my eyes to a lot of bands that I had never heard of, and I will be in search of their music.  I wish they would have had discographies listed of the bands that they mention in each chapter.

If you have any interest in the first wave of Canadian punk across many regions and provinces, I would highly recommend this book.  It was a quick read for a 350+ page book.