Podcast #12 – Why Be Something That You’re Not

tonyrettmanbychrisgreyThis week’s podcast is a little different. Rather than run this interview I did with Why Be Something That You’re Not author Tony Rettman on its own, I thought it best to drop it into the podcast proper. We talk about the genesis of the book, people he wanted for the book but couldn’t get, and future plans. I’ve also added in some songs from bands featured in the oral history of Detroit hardcore: Negative Approach, the Necros, et al, as well as some of the touring acts who feature prominently in the genesis of the Detroit scene.

Thanks again to Tony for taking the time to speak with me. Go buy his book, because it’s great. If you’re anywhere near the signings and shows for the book, stop by and get that sucker autographed, as well. Go buy some records from Touch and Go, for that matter.

Podcast #12, “Why Be Something That You’re Not”
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An overlooked segment of American punk history

book-cover-why-be-somethingIn the past decade or so, there has been an explosion in the number of books documenting the American punk scene’s early days. There’s the overarching nationwide view of American Hardcore. The exhaustive documentation of the West Coast scene has books devoted to individual local scenes: Gimme Something Better looks at Berkeley and the East Bay, We Got the Neutron Bomb looks at L.A., and the forthcoming KIds of the Black Hole examines the Orange County / HUntington Beach hardcore scene. However, the Midwest tends to get short shrift.
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Touch & Go fanzine collection due out June 30

book-cover-touch-goBazillion Points will release Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine ’79-’83 on June 30. The book collects all 22 issues of the influential Michigan punk ‘zine, which was ran by Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson, and featured interviews with some of the heavyweights of the early days of American punk rock: “Black Flag, Minor Threat, the Misfits, Negative Approach, the Fix, the Avengers, the Necros, Discharge, Iron Cross, Youth Brigade, Faith, Die Kreuzen, Crucifix, Poison Idea—and all the other punks worth their weight.”

This is one of those “must-haves” for anyone interested in the history of punk rock, especially as this is the scene documented as it arose. It’s each and every page of the Xeroxed magazine, presented in full-size, so you don’t have to strain your eyes, worn out as they are from years of poorly-lit basement shows.

You can pre-order the book from Bazillion Points, and that gets you a free badge, balloon, and some other stuff they’re calling a “hardcore fun pack” for the totally reasonable price of $29.95. Check out an interview with Tesco Vee (whom you might remember from such bands as the Meatmen), and editor Steve Miller (whom I remember from early Touch & Go Records band the Fix) in the little widget below.

<a href="http://touchngomagazine.bandcamp.com/album/touch-and-go-the-complete-hardcore-punk-zine-1979-1983">Side A by Touch N Go</a>