Tony Rettman

An extensive oral history of New York City's 1980s hardcore punk scene traces the evolutions of key contributors and rivalries as well as the influences of such factors as moshing, heavy metal and Krishna consciousness. Original.

New York Hardcore 1980-1990

NYHC

G. Jason Head

I thought this was a well thought out and well organized book that covered a lot of the gamut of NYHC and it's roots. The author did a great job interviewing some key people and people you wouldn't expect and the result was a good oral history of the genre.

I enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. I believe the author did a good job with what he set out to do. 

The topic of this book, however, limits how much that can be said about a certain band. Some chapters left me wanting to hear more about certain bands or places or people. But, considering this book was a history of a certain scene, the author only has a limited amount he can put in a book (that is already 380 pages!

It's left me wanting to learn a bit more. There was some history of Agnostic Front that i would like to hear more about (their first break up, Roger's incarceration, etc). The lack of any interview with Harley Flanagan was noticed - but who knows what he would even say was truthful or not. Sure he is annoying but dude was there from the *very* beginning. I wonder if he just declined to take part? (Noted that John Joseph was interviewed in the book and same argument, who knows what he says is truth either). I would have loved to hear a few more pages about Nausea also. 

Stuff I really liked: John Porcelly's thoughts about the scene are awesome. I also really, really enjoyed hearing so much from Eddie Sutton of Leeway. The inclusion of bands before the hardcore scene really took off was perfect too.

This book is a great read - but just the topic "A History of NYHC" can leave anyone arguing about what bands were included, not included, etc. So I think that is to be expected. But if you are into old NYHC I would totally suggest you pick this book up. Photos are excellent too!

NYHC New York Hardcore 1980-1990

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