American Hardcore (Second Edition): A Tribal History

I first purchased this book in 2001, a short while after it was originally published. It blew my mind with the coverage, well-known bands and forgotten regional bands, punk fashion, poster art, pretty much everything D.I.Y.I first was exposed to Hardcore in early 1982 and absorbed everything that I could about this fresh, exciting subculture that was perceived as a real threat to people back in the early 80's. The harassment I experienced was nothing compared with punks in large American cities at this time. The Quincy punk episode did alot of damage to the scene, portraying punks as psycho killers.That fact wasn't covered in the book, but it brings back memories of the time period.Anyways, the new, expanded version of AMERICAN HARDCORE is just as good, if not better than the original. LOTS of different pictures added, more gig flyers, as well as interviews with the Beastie Boys and Moby (Vatican Commandos) were added, which were not in the original book.Hats off to Steven Blush who worked so hard on this book and the expanded content he added.Whether you were there at the time to experience the original hardcore scene, or got into it after the fact, this is a must-have book that covers almost everything that was vital to that original time.

This second edition version of Steven Blush's classic book is markedly inferior to the first edition, which is essential reading for all old-school punk fans. This version still features all the great interviews with virtually every player in the original hardcore punk scene of the '80s, including lengthy chapters on Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, Misfits, Bad Brains, and many others. In that sense, this is still essential reading for anyone interested in rock history (especially punks). However, this second edition, is largely rewritten in a way that takes all the bite and flair out of the original prose. This second edition is impotent by comparison; the author has softened the tone considerably and it's a much less compelling read because of it. I bought this new edition for the new chapter, "Destroying Babylon," which is just a silly joke, attempting to draw comparisons between religious evangelism and punk rock fervor. Completely unnecessary. This thing does contain many new photographs and reproductions of flyers, and perhaps a few paragraphs worth of additional interviews. Also, a lot more no name bands are briefly name-checked at the end of each chapter. Hardly worth buying a second copy for. The original edition of American Hardcore is the greatest rock book ever written. Go find that one (it has light pink lettering instead of yellow on the cover).

THIS IS THE BIBLE OF INFORMATION ON AMERICAN HARDCORE PUNK. In writing my academic article on Hardcore I found every reference from other academics to even basic journals citied this book. It turns out there is a good reason for that! If you want info whatsoever on American Punk (but mostly the good stuff ;) ) THIS IS YOUR ONE STOP SHOP!

This book is awesome. I read it cover to cover. I learned a lot about the start of hardcore punk. It only covers hardcore up to about 1986 though. I was disappointed to see that it didn't really get into the subgenres such as youth crew or powerviolence. However its a great book and will show you a lot about the OG's of hardcore. Also, I guarantee you'll find a new band through this.

A very comprehensive music history, however, it's full of opinion and bias. A little objectivity would have done some good. Still, it was a great read, for older hardcore cats and new jacks to the scene alike.

There's a ton of information in this book-sort of a U.S. equivalent of the UK "The Day The Country Died" book. Tons of bands, from the big names to the ultra-obscure acts. So much information that they couldn't fit into the movie (which is excellent also.) Highly recommended for fans of early 80's USHC.

A tribal history? Really?come on - it's dudes talkin' about dudes.a subset of kids no one wanted to deal with who got angry. END OF STORY.

Great book ,considering I lived it as well in Madison wisconsin in82,83,84,85. Not perfect but still pretty good.Worth owning!

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This was a birthday present . The person who received it says it great

Si hay un libro importante en la historia del punk/hardcore es este tremendo análisis que Steven Blush recogió en "American Hardcore": libro que, por desgracia, todavía no se ha publicado en castellano. Cuatrocientas páginas trepidantes que pueden ser leídas y disfrutadas por cualquiera que tenga un inglés de nivel medio (¡no es James Joyce, claro!) y que terminan por convertirse en el mejor texto que se haya hecho sobre la escena del hardcore americano de los ochenta: por sus páginas aparecen nombres bastante conocidos como Black Flag, Social Distortion, Dead Kennedys, T.S.O.L, Hüsker Dü, Bad Religion o DRI, pero también otras bandas como Big Boys, Artificial Peace, Battalion of Saints, Rebel Truth, Toxic Reasons o Circle One. Aparte del innegable valor de su texto, una de las mejores cosas que tiene esta segunda edición de "American Hardcore" (ampliada y corregida, por cierto) es la gran cantidad de material gráfico que incluye: fotografías inéditas, fanzines, flyers, logos... Un libro apasionante para cualquier amante del punk y hardcore.

A great book - informative, insightful, well written, with many interviews. However, be sure to check that the seller you are buying from is offering the edition you want. I assumed that I was buying the updated second edition based on the photo, but received the first edition (which I already have). I wanted to get the update when it was released, but couldn't bring myself to shell out full price again for what amounted to minor additions. So when a seller was offering the book at what seemed a bargain price, so I ordered impulsively. A cautionary tale if ever there was one!

Such a great book with so much history. It's been slammed for leaving out a bunch of stuff, but really, how are you going to get EVERYONE? This second edition is a great addition to any book collection.