reviews

• Press Release, October 7, 2010
• Press Release, December 1, 2010
• Press Release, January 25, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2010

AMERICAN HARDCORE, A TRIBAL HISTORY (SECOND EDITION) TO BE RELEASED BY FERAL HOUSE ON NOVEMBER 1

Author Steve Blush has interviewed more than 25 new subjects, added more than a hundred new pieces of art, supplemented edition one with countless new band bios and expanded discographies, has offered a new conclusion, and expanded the edition from 328 to 408 pages.

AUTHOR TO VISIT LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITIES AND INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES THIS FALL, WITH SPECIAL GUESTS IN SOME MARKETS

New York, NY --- AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History was released in October, 2001 to great success.  The book is now in five languages, and led the way to the creation of the acclaimed documentary AMERICAN HARDCORE: The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986.  The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, and was released theatrically later that year by Sony Pictures Classics.  With the resurgence of punk rock, and continued interest in the significant American DIY movement, Blush has expanded the book and will release the second edition on November 1, 2010.

Unlike many second editions, this offering is a new book.  The author has updated all of the chapters, added a new one titled "Destroy Babylon," which explores the mutant forms of spirituality that came from the movement, and interviewed over twenty-five new subjects.  Blush also has unearthed over a hundred new pieces of artwork, drafted two hundred plus new band bios, and radically expanded discography.  Most significant, he has offered a new conclusion which is an anomaly within the realm of period studies. The original book was 328 pages, and the revised edition is now 408.

The Los Angeles Times cited AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History as the “definitive treatment of hardcore punk.”  Juxtapoz Magazine called the study “the definitive work on one of rock’s most important eras.”  Major publications across the globe echoed these sentiments, and the public followed suit via purchases at bookstores and tickets at box offices across the world.  Blush is sure to have a packed house as he conducts readings and Q&A sessions at public libraries across the country.  The first three of many to be confirmed are:

• 10/07 - Portsmouth, NH - Portsmouth Public Library

• 10/08 - Worcester, MA - Worcester Public Library

• 10/09 - Portland, ME - Portland Public Library

Author Steven Blush promoted hardcore shows in Washington D.C. in the early 80s.  He moved to New York in 1986, and founded SECONDS Magazine, publishing 52 issues through the year 2000.  Blush has written three books on the subject of rock: AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History (2001, Feral House); AMERICAN HAIR METAL (2006, Feral House); and .45 DANGEROUS MINDS: The Most Intense Interviews From Seconds Magazine (2005, Creation Books).  His writing has appeared in publications including SPIN, Details, PAPER, Interview, Village Voice and The Times of London.  For twenty years he worked as a New York City club DJ and promoter, noted for his “Rock Candy” parties at Don Hill’s and sound designs for fashion pioneer Stephen Sprouse.

Advance copies are available for review.

SKH MUSIC:
Steve Karas
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Keith Hagan
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Julie Lichtenstein
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FERAL HOUSE:
Jessica Parfrey
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WWW.FERALHOUSE.COM

• Press Release, September 8, 2010
• Press Release, October 7, 2010
• Press Release, January 25, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2010

WWW.AMERICANHARDCOREBOOK.COM
WEB SITE GOES LIVE

AUTHOR STEVEN BLUSH CONTINUES BOOK TOUR WITH APPEARANCES IN BLOOMINGTON (12/01), MILWAUKEE (12/02), CHICAGO (12/03), AND NEW YORK CITY (12/15)
Stops in Miami (1/13), Los Angeles (1/29 & 2/03), and other points west planned for the New Year

New York --- Following months of preparation, the accompanying web site for the revised second edition of AMERICAN HARDCORE, A TRIBAL HISTORY (Feral House), has gone live and can be found on the Internet at www.americanhardcorebook.com.  The site features author dates, media, and a pre-programmed 911 song 24-hour playlist of classic early-80s hardcore.  Every significant band of the era has been included amongst the 400 plus artists featured.   Javier Valencia, and programmer Robert Lund designed the site.

This week, author Steven Blush will make three stops in the Midwest.  On December 1 at 6pm, he will appear at The Bishop (Bloomington, IN) alongside Paul Mahern (Zero Boys), Tufty Clough (Toxic Reasons), John Barge (The Panics), Dave Schlabach (The Repellents) and Dale Lawrence (The Gizmos) for a panel discussion titled Livin’ In The 80s: The Rise of American Hardcore in the Hoosier State.  The Bishop is located at 123 Walnut, and this event is co-presented by Landlocked Music and Boxcar Books.  On 12/02, there will be a slide show presentation at Rush Mor Records (2635 South KK Ave – 7pm) in Milwaukee, WI.  Blush will complete the Midwest run with a book reading on 12/03 in Chicago at Quinby’s (1854 West North Avenue – 7pm).  He returns to his hometown of New York City for a special roundtable discussion on 12/15 at The Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway – 7PM).  Special guests will include Dave Smalley (Descendents, DYS, Down By Law) and author Laura Albert (JT Leroy).

On January 13, Blush will appear at Sweat Records in Miami, FL (5505 NE Second Avenue – 8pm) for a slideshow presentation. Later that month, he’ll be in Los Angeles for two appearances. First, on 1/29 there will be a panel discussion at Vacation Vinyl (3815 W. Sunset Blvd. – 7pm). The discussion is titled The Process of Weeding Out: American Hardcore and the Rise of Stoner Rock, featuring Brant Bjork (Kyuss), Chuck Dukowski (Black Flag) and others. Later that week, on 2/03, the author will appear at Book Soup (8818 W. Sunset Blvd – 7pm), for a second panel discussion on the history of L.A. punk. Confirmed participants include Keith Morris (Circle Jerks), Lisa Fancher (Frontier Records) and photographer Edward Colver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Karas
SKH MUSIC:
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• Press Release, September 8, 2010
• Press Release, December 1, 2010
• Press Release, January 25, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2010

AUTHOR STEVEN BLUSH ANNOUNCES EVENTS IN NORTHEAST, MIDWEST AND WEST COAST TO SUPPORT AMERICAN HARDCORE: A TRIBAL HISTORY
(SECOND EDITION) PUBLISHED BY FERAL HOUSE

Blush to begin anticipated public library dates, present Knitting Factory all-ages matinee and moderate CMJ panel, with future events planned through 2011

New York, NY --- The launch of the Second Edition of American Hardcore by Steven Blush comes with events from Maine to New York, followed by the Midwest and Los Angeles.  This weekend Blush will stage events scheduled in the series "American Hardcore Library Conversations with Steven Blush," with stops in Portsmouth, NH, Worcester, MA and Portland, ME.  The reception from the media has been significant, with Q&As published Worcester Magazine, The Wire (Portsmouth), and Portland Press Register.  Blush will also appear on "207," Portland NBC-TV affiliate WCSH6's long-running entertainment show this Friday.

The author has organized a Sunday all-ages matinee to take place at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on October 17, which will include sets by old-school bands Urban Waste, Antidote and other NYHC special guests TBA. Punk writer George Tabb will serve as MC, and the author will give a slide show presentation featuring wry commentary and rare photos from back in the day. The show is part of Royal Flush Magazine's Royal Flush Festival. Blush will also moderate a CMJ Panel entitled "American Hardcore and the rise of Modern Rock" tracking the influence of Hardcore's intense DIY attitude on today's musical landscape with articulate music scene vets like Vic Bondi (Articles of Faith), Matt Sweeney (Chavez/Zwan) and Jack Rabid (The Big Takeover).

The full itinerary of scheduled events includes:

• 10/07 - PORTSMOUTH, NH - PUBLIC LIBRARY: 175 Parrot Ave. - 7PM
  "American Hardcore Library Conversations with Steven Blush"

• 10/08 - WORCESTER, MA - PUBLIC LIBRARY: 3 Salem Sq. - 3PM
  "American Hardcore Library Conversations with Steven Blush"

• 10/09 - PORTLAND, ME - PUBLIC LIBRARY: 5 Monument Sq. - 2PM
  "American Hardcore Library Conversations with Steven Blush"

• 10/17 - BROOKLYN, NY - KNITTING FACTORY - NOON
  "The AMERICAN HARDCORE All-Ages Matinee"
  Royal Flush Festival presents: URBAN WASTE plus special NYHC guests; Opening bands Downlow and Yo! Skunt, plus MC George Tabb and DJ Marc Rentzer; Q&A and slide show by American Hardcore author/filmmaker Steven Blush

• 10/19 - NEW YORK, NY - CMJ (NYU - Kimmel Ctr #406) - 2PM
  "American Hardcore and the Rise of Modern Rock" panel  
  A panel discussion on the early-80s American Hardcore scene's impact on modern rock, particularly today's indie label and touring networks. Moderator: Steven Blush (American Hardcore); Panelists: Vic Bondi (Articles of Faith), Jack Rabid (The Big Takeover), Matt Sweeney (Chavez/Zwan), Michelle Dakshys, Jason Jordan (Hollywood Records)

• 12/01 - BLOOMINGTON, IN - THE BISHOP (IN ASSOCIATION
  WITH LANDLOCKED MUSIC) - 7PM

• 12/02 - MILWAUKEE, WI - RUSHMOR RECORDS - 6PM

• 12/03 - CHICAGO, IL - QUIMBY’S - 7PM

• 12/14 - WFMU “THUNK TANK” - AUTHOR APPEARANCE - 7PM

• 12/15 - NEW YORK, NY - THE STRAND - 7PM
  PANEL DISCUSSION, LINE-UP TO BE ANNOUNCED

• 1/13 - MIAMI, FL - SWEAT RECORDS - 8PM

• 2/02 - SANTA BARBARA, CA - CHAUCER’S BOOKS - 7PM

• 2/03 - HOLLYWOOD, CA - BOOK SOUP - 7PM

• 2/05 - LOS ANGELES, CA - VACATION VINYL - TBD
  PANEL DISCUSSION, LINE-UP TO BE ANNOUNCED, DATE TENTATIVE

AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History was released in October, 2001 to great success.  The book is now in five languages, and led the way to the creation of the acclaimed documentary AMERICAN HARDCORE: The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986.  The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, and was released theatrically later that year by Sony Pictures Classics.  With the resurgence of punk rock, and continued interest in the significant American DIY movement, Blush has expanded the book and will release the second edition on November 1, 2010.

Author Steven Blush promoted hardcore shows in Washington D.C. in the early 80s.  He moved to New York in 1986, and founded SECONDS Magazine, publishing 52 issues through the year 2000.  Blush has written three books on the subject of rock: AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History (2001, Feral House); AMERICAN HAIR METAL (2006, Feral House); and .45 DANGEROUS MINDS: The Most Intense Interviews From Seconds Magazine (2005, Creation Books).  His writing has appeared in publications including SPIN, Details, PAPER, Interview, Village Voice and The Times of London.  For twenty years he worked as a New York City club DJ and promoter, noted for his “Rock Candy” parties at Don Hill’s and sound designs for fashion pioneer Stephen Sprouse.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
SKH MUSIC:
Steve Karas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FERAL HOUSE:
Jessica Parfrey
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WWW.FERALHOUSE.COM

• Press Release, September 8, 2010
• Press Release, October 7, 2010
• Press Release, December 1, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2011

AUTHOR STEVEN BLUSH HEADS WEST CONTINUING
THE AMERICAN HARDCORE, A TRIBAL HISTORY
SERIES OF APPEARANCES

OS ANGELES, LONDON, AND A RETURN TO NEW ENGLAND PLANNED Former Members of Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, Kyuss
and more to participate in Los Angeles

New York, NY --- The launch of the Second Edition of American Hardcore by Steven Blush staged critically acclaimed, standing room only events in libraries across New England, and varied settings in the Midwest, Southeast and New York City.  Blush has now set his sights on the West Coast, with two special events planned in Los Angeles.  On Saturday January 29th, there will be a roundtable discussion held at Vacation Vinyl (3815 West Sunset Blvd. 4pm), titled “The Process of Weeding Out: American Hardcore and The Rise of Stoner Rock.”  Special guests include Brant Bjork (Kyuss), Check Dukowski (Black Flag), Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson), Pete Stahl (Scream, Goatwhore), and Greg Anderson (Southern Lord Records).  The author, Vacation Vinyl and artist James O’Mara have teamed to create a special limited edition silk-screened poster that the participants will be available to sign on-site.  On Thursday, February 3rd, there will be a second roundtable discussion at Book Soup on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood (8818 W. Sunset, 7pm).  The subject matter will focus on the cultural influence of the Southern California hardcore punk and is titled “Kids of The Black Hole: How L.A. Hardcore Changed the World.”  The participants include Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, Off!), Tony Cadena (Adolescents), Lisa Fancher (Frontier Records), and noted punk photographer Edward Colver.  Author Steven Blush shared, “having this group of esteemed figureheads from the history of hardcore and punk is flattering.  I could not be more thrilled to have all of these major contributors to the scene share their insights with myself and those in attendance.”  The L.A. WEEKLY’s Falling James wrote, “Rather than indulging in an ‘I-was-punker-than-you’ nostalgia fest, Blush and his wrecking crew will examine the surprising diverse ways hardcore punk has infiltrated modern mainstream culture and continues to influence DIY efforts in a variety of media and art forms.”

In April and May, the author will continue his "American Hardcore Library Conversations with Steven Blush," with stops in Providence, RI, Albany, NY and others to be announced shortly.  Current plans include extending Blush’s visits to the U.K. and Europe, with a confirmed date at Rough Trade Records in London for early-May.

The www.americanhardcorebook.com web site is back on-line after crashing from millions of hits its’ first week live.  Blush surprised the world when he uploaded “24 hours of Hardcore” for both download and streaming.  The 24-hour playlist of some rare, some obscure early-eighties American hardcore punk continues to be enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors daily.

AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History was released in October, 2001 to great success.  The book is now in five languages, and led the way to the creation of the acclaimed documentary AMERICAN HARDCORE: The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986.  The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, and was released theatrically later that year by Sony Pictures Classics.  With the resurgence of punk rock, and continued interest in the significant American DIY movement, Blush has expanded the book and will release the second edition on November 1, 2010.

Author Steven Blush promoted hardcore shows in Washington D.C. in the early 80s.  He moved to New York in 1986, and founded SECONDS Magazine, publishing 52 issues through the year 2000.  Blush has written three books on the subject of rock: AMERICAN HARDCORE: A Tribal History (2001, Feral House); AMERICAN HAIR METAL (2006, Feral House); and .45 DANGEROUS MINDS: The Most Intense Interviews From Seconds Magazine (2005, Creation Books).  His writing has appeared in publications including SPIN, Details, PAPER, Interview, Village Voice and The Times of London.  For twenty years he worked as a New York City club DJ and promoter, noted for his “Rock Candy” parties at Don Hill’s and sound designs for fashion pioneer Stephen Sprouse.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
SKH MUSIC:
Steve Karas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
FERAL HOUSE:
Jessica Parfrey
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WWW.FERALHOUSE.COM
WWW.AMERICANHARDCOREBOOK.COM