V/A feat. Jon Spencer – The Official Punk Rock Book of Lists (PRESS, US)

Paperback: 316 pages
Dimensions: 22.6 x 17.8 x 2.5 cm

VIEW: Press / Reviews / Writing / Guest Appearances

amazon.co.uk description: “It’s all here, from the most offensive songs of all time to frivolous punk rock lawsuits, big hits on the CBGB’s jukebox, and dietary habits of punks! Want to know about punk rock movies, books, and weapons? We’ve got moshing, mohawks, and mayhem! Fashion dos and don’ts … and great moments in puking and gobbing! Johnny Thunders, the Sex Pistols, Iggy, Kurt, Lux, and the rest of your favorite young, loud, and snotty punks! Superstars and absolute nobodies litter The Official Punk Rock Book of Lists with their wit and wisdom. Plus, who does Debbie Harry want to sleep with? The answer will shock you!

Featured luminaries include Henry Rollins, Rodney Bingenheimer, Nick Tosches, Jon Spencer, Captain Sensible, Tommy Ramone, and Lenny Kaye, plus former and current members of the MC5, the Cramps, Blondie, Pearl Jam, Guns N’ Roses, the Adolescents, the Dwarves, Dinosaur, Jr., and more!”

1. Fast food (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc.)
– Avoid at all costs. Sometimes this is hard to do; there just aren’t many options in some places. This food will come back to haunt you and definitely make you feel crummy. Conversely/perversely, White Castle, which definitely always makes ya shit, should still be consumed at any and all opportunities.

2. Food made by punk rockers at their homes
– Late-night grill, strange breakfast, weird loaves…nice gesture, but beware! These people can barely take care of themselves. Look at the filthy house/apartment. Of course, there is always an exception, and sometimes you do end up with a great meal…but you never know.

3. Indian food
– Never eat this before a show.

4. Freshly killed snake in Taiwanese outdoor market
– Avoid.

5. Local liquors and house drink specials
– Always approach these with caution, especially if they are being pushed on you by a stranger and/or you did not see the drink poured. But if someone offers you a swig of homemade car battery ‘shine from a bottle fashioned out of a child’s doll? Go for it. You have to be polite.

6. Foods that don’t match the locale
– Don’t order paella in Moscow. Or eat sushi in Denver. Eat local.

7. Cow balls
– do not eat cow balls at interstate truck stops in Middle America. In fact, don’t eat any kinds of balls, anywhere.

8. Roadside chain restaurants
– Avoid Cracker Barrells, although Waffle Houses are acceptable, as long as you play at least three of the Waffle House songs on the jukebox. Or just the same song three times in a row, “Waffle House Thank You” by Mary Welch Rogers is good. So is “Special Lady” by Billy Dee Cox.

9. Starbucks
– Never patronize a Starbucks that is not freestanding, like one that is inside a bookstore. (This rule comes courtesy of Mike Belitsky of the Sadies).

10. Autogrill rest stops in Italy
– Freshly squeezed orange juice done by a machine is very tasty but usually contains at least two flies. They seem to live and nest in the squeezing machines. Who can blame them?

11. Turkish pizza
– found mostly in Germany, this is not really pizza; it’s closer to a gyro. Always seems like a good idea late at night. Never is.

12. Dunkin’ Donuts
– Stay away! Not even good donuts, and eve worse coffee. Plus, they assault your eyes with their sickening color scheme, poorly designed logo, and insipid Rachel Ray endorsement. Canada’s Tim Hortons, however, is more than okay. Try the sour cream glazed.

13. U.K. gas station prepackaged sandwiches made from shellfish
– Steer clear of these. Really. Go to a cafe and get a proper full breakfast, cooked hot. But don’t order coffee – it will likely be instant.

14. Never eat chicken at a rock festival.

15. Eat anything in Japan
– It’s Japanese!

After the demise of his groovy hate-fuck band Pussy Galore, Jon Spencer formed the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and has continually proven himself the most exciting and innovative performer in rock ‘n’ roll. On stage and in the studio he has destroyed and rebuilt American roots music with such abandon it is hard to believe that there is anything left. While the Blues Explosion is on a much-deserved hiatus, Jon has found time to cook up adult-size doses of psychotic rootsabilly rhythm ‘n’ noise with his pal Matt Vera-Ray and their stomping roll ‘n’ rock combo, Heavy Trash.”

DETAILS:

ARTWORK: [unknown]
Jon Spencer Ilustration: Mott

ISBN-10: 0879309199
ISBN-13: 978-0879309190

MATRIX/RUN-OUT GROOVE ENGRAVING: n/a