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alisonjfields's review
3.0
I read another review of this book that suggested there was no way to write a completely honest version of this book without getting sued. Seems about right. Still, a decent beach read for aging punk rockers
kingcrookback's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
"Same old punk rock story: it was fun while it lasted, but it seldom lasted for long."
First things first, I made a playlist of all the songs mentioned in the book (that are available on Spotify), ordered by first mention. Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1tmqlzW8JDvkcdA6nWJqDG?si=9f07dd4515cf428a
I wasn't especially well-versed in Black Flag's discography before I picked up this book, though I was aware of SST's status (and reputation) in music history in general and the Southern California punk/hardcore scene specifically. The meeting point between art and capitalism is always rife with conflict, and it gets especially contentious when the punk ethos gets thrown into the equation. It was fascinating - and perhaps a bit tragic - to see how SST went from a champion and a haven for local bands to a beacon for alternative acts nationwide to something of a bully disappointingly reminiscent of the major labels Ginn (and co.) was so vehemently counter to. What a change over the 40-some years of SST's existence.
More generally, it's really fascinating seeing a more personal, granular depiction of how people reacted to punk as a culture in the '70s and '80s. I'd known punks were on the receiving end of hostility from cops, but I wasn't aware it was to such a degree. The racism in the Southern California scene I was aware of, though, disappointingly. It was also very interesting to see how many personal decisions inadvertently became professional decisions, the consequences of which had the potential to balloon out into affecting dynamics in the scene and beyond.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Violence, Alcohol, and Suicide
otter272's review
3.0
Fascinating history of the record label as well as several of the bands that started out on that label. This would have been a 4 star but everything started to really drag about 3/4th of the way through the book. However, if you are interested in punk rock history in general, it is still worth reading.
tonythep's review
4.0
I was never really a fan of Black Flag or hardcore in general, but SST Records was a huge touchstone for me in the formation of my musical life in the 1980s. The influence of the weird, noisy, and/or more melodic SST bands like Hüsker Dü, the Minutemen (and firehose,) the Meat Puppets, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Slovenly, Das Damen etc etc still reverberates with me today. Filled with history of the label that I wasn’t previously aware of, this was a fun, informative, and nostalgic read for me. Any history of SST or Black Flag must address the alienating personality and head-scratching decisions of Gregg Ginn. I don’t doubt any of the accounts of being screwed over by the label or its owner, but I felt that the author lost a bit of journalistic distance at the end of the book, even suggesting that Ginn should do the right thing and give recording masters back to the bands.
yourmainjoe's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Drug use
bookwoman37's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Overall I enjoyed reading this book. I was familiar with many of the bands and SST records but I was not familiar with the behind the scenes problems. It is very well written and researched. Unfortunately the story is not a happy one. The last chapter is particularly poignant. Enjoy
david_agranoff's review
5.0
Interview I did with the author...
https://youtu.be/3s86v_QFo4Q
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-104-interview-w-jim-ruland-author-of/id1524359471?i=1000599049910
I had mixed feelings going into this book, Jim Ruland is a local in San Diego and a writer I have seen at lots of events. I was a big fan of his memoir of Circle Jerk Vocalist Keith Morris – My Damage. He also did a great job doing a biography. Jim has shown a great knack for drilling down into the details of these underground figures in music and telling their stories. So what are mixed feelings about?
Writing a book about SST records is a really smart next move for Ruland who did some of the research naturally for this with his Keith Morris book. I mean Morris started on SST records as an early vocalist of Black Flag. That is the thing, even though I am a big fan of classic punk rock, I love 80s punk, but one of the classic bands I never jived with was Black Flag. I know they were good, and they were important but I just never was a big fan.
I knew that this book was going to be lots of Greg Ginn and the drama that always circled around him and Black Flag. I knew he had more members come in and out than a Marching band in Flag. I wasn’t sure I would be interested. There are three SST bands I love Bad Brains, Descendents, and Husker Du. I admit I perked up a little more when those parts came up but I enjoyed the whole thing.
Jim Ruland is an excellent historian and plays a vital role in documenting the stories of these LA bands. It is important. Even if I don’t personally like many of the bands the details and the history are important.
This book didn’t give me more respect for Ginn, after reading it I began to really believe the dude was a jerk, it is clear who is hard to work with in the Black Flag orbit. (at one point there was a civil war of Black Flag fans on which version of the band to support)…It was clear from the outside that Ginn was the problem this book only confirmed it for me.
The number of details, research, and stories makes this book important for all music fans, if you like SST is not the point, they did really interesting things, and the study of how they did it is important. Jim is coming on my podcast at some point to talk about the book and his process.
https://youtu.be/3s86v_QFo4Q
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-104-interview-w-jim-ruland-author-of/id1524359471?i=1000599049910
I had mixed feelings going into this book, Jim Ruland is a local in San Diego and a writer I have seen at lots of events. I was a big fan of his memoir of Circle Jerk Vocalist Keith Morris – My Damage. He also did a great job doing a biography. Jim has shown a great knack for drilling down into the details of these underground figures in music and telling their stories. So what are mixed feelings about?
Writing a book about SST records is a really smart next move for Ruland who did some of the research naturally for this with his Keith Morris book. I mean Morris started on SST records as an early vocalist of Black Flag. That is the thing, even though I am a big fan of classic punk rock, I love 80s punk, but one of the classic bands I never jived with was Black Flag. I know they were good, and they were important but I just never was a big fan.
I knew that this book was going to be lots of Greg Ginn and the drama that always circled around him and Black Flag. I knew he had more members come in and out than a Marching band in Flag. I wasn’t sure I would be interested. There are three SST bands I love Bad Brains, Descendents, and Husker Du. I admit I perked up a little more when those parts came up but I enjoyed the whole thing.
Jim Ruland is an excellent historian and plays a vital role in documenting the stories of these LA bands. It is important. Even if I don’t personally like many of the bands the details and the history are important.
This book didn’t give me more respect for Ginn, after reading it I began to really believe the dude was a jerk, it is clear who is hard to work with in the Black Flag orbit. (at one point there was a civil war of Black Flag fans on which version of the band to support)…It was clear from the outside that Ginn was the problem this book only confirmed it for me.
The number of details, research, and stories makes this book important for all music fans, if you like SST is not the point, they did really interesting things, and the study of how they did it is important. Jim is coming on my podcast at some point to talk about the book and his process.