Join us for an evening of Punk Rock storytelling with the authors of two books – Tearing Down The Orange Curtain – How Punk Rock Brought Orange County To The World (releases 5/20), and Corporate Rock Sucks – The Rise & Fall of SST Records (out now).
In TEARING DOWN THE ORANGE CURTAIN, journalists Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn explore the trajectory of punk and ska from their humble beginnings to their peak popularity years, where their cultural impact could be felt in music around the world. Delving deep into the personal and professional lives of bands like Social Distortion, The Adolescents, The Offspring, and their ska counterparts No Doubt, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, and more, this book gives readers a deeper look into the very human stories of these musicians, many of whom struggled with acceptance, addiction, and brutal teenage years in suburbia. Thought-provoking, meticulously researched, and refreshingly candid, this book presents a compelling narrative of how a suburban wasteland turned into a hub for rock-n roll culture, just over 30 miles away from the bright lights of LA.
Jim Ruland is an old punk who lives by the sea. He is the LA Times bestselling author of Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records, which was named a best book of 2022 by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. Ruland is the co-author of Do What You Want with Bad Religion and My Damage with Keith Morris. Jim is also an award-winning novelist, a frequent contributor to the LA Times and Razorcake fanzine, and the recipient of fellowships and awards from Bread Loaf, Reader’s Digest, and the NEA. He is a veteran of the US Navy and lives in San Diego, California.
We’ll be giving priority entry to anyone who preorders either book from our shop and a wristband for the signing afterwards.
TEARING DOWN THE ORANGE CURTAIN – HOW PUNK ROCK BROUGHT ORANGE COUNTY TO THE WORLD
CORPORATE ROCK SUCKS – THE RISE & FALL OF SST RECORDS
and Craig Ibarra will be bringing copies of his excellent book A WAILING OF A TOWN “An Oral History of Early San Pedro Punk” 1977-1985 . This is a new revised hardcover edition with over 40 new images, Pedro punk band discographies, 18 new Watt related chapter header images, new South Bay map and much more released May 2024. Craig worked at SST and is also interviewed in Jim’s book. He will be signing any copies of his book purchased at the event.
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