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As of late, I've found myself listening to more and more of what can be considered, "punk rock" and at the very same time, I am lacking reading material. If anybody knows me at all, they know that this will NOT do! So, what better way to combine the two interests, than to read up on punk? I just finished the book My So Called Punk by Matt Diehl, and I have to say one thing; the majority of the time, it pissed me off to no end. And I liked it! You should see my copy (that I thought was on sale, and turned out not to be); there's stuff written all over the margins. Basically, it serves as an overview to the nineties California punk rock "explosion," and gives insight on selling out, feminism, and what the author lovingly calls, "Punk Inc.," among other things. However, there were several parts of the book that were horrendously irritating. The first of which, is how he portrays the Offspring. He seems to imply that they are a group of whiny, jealous, conservative suburban rats. They, to the best of my knowledge, aren't. Frickin' Noodles is extremely anti-Bush and liberal; and the fact that you support such a Conservative interpretation to the album Americana by taking "The Kids Aren't Alright" out of context is ridiculous. It's not about slackers bringing down the economy. If anything, it's about how they've fallen within what is a seemingly typical neighborhood; it's not calling them out, or anything. It's a lament. I also didn't like how Brett Gurewitz came off; he came across as kind of, well... ignorant and like a total money grubber. I don't think that's necessarily the case: but of course, I could be wrong. Furthermore the author's Distillers/Brody Dalle obsession... was completely disturbing. And the fact that they are supposed to save punk bugs me. Honestly, I'd say A Wilhelm Scream would first or for revolutionizing mainstream radio, Against Me!. Then again, I don't like the Distillers; I never got into them lyrically or musically, and the fact that you call your fans assholes brings down my respect. But, hey... that's punk rock, right? Yet... overall, it was interesting. I got insight on Warped Tour, and on other aspects of punk culture like Suicidegirls.com (which, I only knew about through the Nothing Nice to Say comic strip. I didn't think it had anything to do with anything whatsoever, and I'm not sure I still do.) I can't say that I agree with all of it, but I liked the fact that it made me argue as I read. Just be wary of typos (bullshit detectors at the ready!), and skip the parts about the Distillers, and you'll be fine! Also, you probably shouldn't read this if you are already knowledgeable of bands like Green Day, the Offspring, Bad Religion, etc., it'll get repetitive after awhile. Next on my reading list is American Hardcore, (which I found at the library. Or ordered to pick up at the library. Why I didn't do that before, is beyond me.) This should be interesting...