Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb tome! Nostalgia brought up to date., 28 Oct 2004
I fully agree with the previous reviewers' comments. There is a plethora of books about the late 70's punk scene, in particular The Sex Pistols, and though this period maybe considered a more 'important' time, the early 80s brought a huge amount of diversification within the punk genre and, for me at least, was a more exciting period (though I guess being a little too young for the 70s may have something to do with it). In this book Ian Glasper does a superb job in covering what was probably the biggest punk offshoot: 'hardcore' (and we're not talking hardhouse/techno/whatever stuff here).
Covering about 100 bands by the region of the UK in which they emerged, each band is given a solid 3-8 pages including their history, essential discography, rare photos and funny stories to keep us all entertained. Too many to mention here but just to name some of the well-known outfits (not all ready mentioned) : Blitz, One Way System, Anti-Nowhere League, Abrasive Wheels, English Dogs, Peter & the Test Tube Babies, Chaos UK, Partisans, Outcasts; and some of the lesser known bands: the Destructors, Mayhem, External Menace, Major Accident, Resistance 77, Violators, Demob, Red Alert etc. etc.
Though the author does say that other early 80s punk offshoots are not covered in this edition, he does include some that provide a kind of crossover: 4-Skins (Oi/skinhead); Disorder (anarchist); Angelic Upstarts (2nd wave?); UK Decay (goth); and the Newtown Neurotics (often referred to as soul-punk, though, bar the Redskins, I can't think of any other bands with this tag!).
There is also a chapter highlighting several leading record companies that are 'keeping the flag flying', their discographies, the Holidays in the Sun concerts, and other book releases.
It would be great to think that Ian Glasper plans a book for each of the early 80s punk offshoots. He mentions that the anarchists will be coming, but here's hoping for more 2nd wave (Ruts etc), Oi and even goth and grebo? Maybe there would not be a big enough market for this but I would like to think that not just 'those that were around at the time' are going to pick up this current title, but also anyone remotely interested in this hugely diverse music genre, and that includes fans of bands like Green Day whose lead singer has proclaimed that they are 'far more punk than the Sex Pistols ever were'. Loved the last video guys; how much did that cost?
I have been waiting for a book like this to come along for ages, so here's to you, Mr Glasper. And if you've managed to pick yourself up a copy then go and get the equally good DVD of the same name. Some real gems here!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a classic for those that were there., 17 Oct 2004
With tens of books covering the punk period from 76-78 it was refreshing to find a book covering the years 80-84.This is the time that was considered the 3rd wave of punk(or the 2nd wave if you want to leave out Angelic upstarts,Ruts,Uk Subs and early Cockney Rejects),this was my time.The array of bands that shone like a beacon from 1980 and through this 4 year period were angry,agressive,loud and exciting and more often than not,ignored.This book changes all that,it not only covers the main runners like discharge,exploited,gbh and vice squad but also covers dead wretched,the fits,uproar,chaotic dischord etc,you know the bands.Great write ups on what they did then and what they're doing now,great unseen pics and there most important releases.sure,there are bands missed out but further books by Ian Glasper promises to cover the "crass" type bands
and hopefully,get a series of publications covering this exciting period in punk.If you've read this far then you gotta buy the book,go on punk,make my day.and if ians reading this i may have some photos you can use.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential purchase, 13 Oct 2004
Anyone who regularly peruses Terrorizer will know that Ian Glasper loves his punk, and knows a lot more than the average punter aboot said genre. This publication finally gives him the freedom to give a definitive account of the UK 2nd wave. Although some bands have a very similar story to tell ie. Inspired to form band by Pistols/ Ramones - form band that can hardly play - learn to play better - appear on Riot City/ No Future compilation - release proper lp - go through 100s of line up changes - split - reform to play HITS with at most 1 original member, each profile is still engaging and informative. Almost every major figure of the time makes a contribution (where's Wattie?) to help provide a clear picture of the scene in terms of who helped who, who hated who, who sold out, who went on too long, who split up too soon, who wasn't really much cop, who was more punk than anyone else and who didn't want to be more punk than anyone else as those being more punk than anyone else were actually just playing up to stereotypes of what being punk should be etc etc etc... Many bands who may have been lost to the annals of history also get their due, for example I would never have discovered The Violators had I not been intrigued by their profile here, nor would I have sought out the No Future & Small Wonder singles collections. This release will also be great news for the good folk at Anagram & Captain Oi!, seeing as 90% of the artists within have appeared on one or t`other label at some point! A fine job all round - read, learn and enjoy. Hopefully the volume 2 on anarcho punk Ian alludes to in the intro will be equally as enjoyable.
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