The State of the Punk Union Address

In My So Called Punk, veteran music journalist Matt Diehl manages to apply the love of a fan with the cold gaze of a critic to examine the current state of punk. A former punk musician, Diehl has written for a host of publications including Rolling Stone, The New York Times, GQ, Spin, VIBE, and others. He is also the author of No-Fall Snowboarding and Notorious C.O.P..

The scope of My So Called Punk is ambitious. Diehl blends a history of the genre, critical examinations of many performers, snippets of his own punk life, business and financial reporting, and primary source interviews to provide an expansive look at the scene today. Featuring exclusive interviews with bands ranging from NOFX to Rancid to Good Charlotte to Fall Out Boy, the book includes the opinions and insights of the musicians themselves. And in spite of being a passionate fan, Diehl doesn't shy away from the controversies that dog the punk scene.

Entertaining, well-informed, and expansive, My So Called Punk by Matt Diehl is an intriguing read for any music fan.