As we wrapped up 2025, it’s the perfect time to look back at the books that really hit home this year. Our reading list has been a massive deep dive into the heart of subculture, covering everything from the history of anarcho-punk scene and legendary tour diaries to experimental poetry and street fiction.
It’s been a year of discovering the stories behind the noise, focusing on those DIY voices that usually stay under the radar. Whether you’re here for the scene histories or the honest, no-holds-barred memoirs, this collection represents the best of the underground literature we’ve explored over the last twelve months.
Anarcho-Punk: Music and Resistance in London 1977-1988 by David Insurrection
This book chronicles the transformative power of a scene that sought to change the world through more than just music. David Insurrection leads readers through the key locations and events that inspired a generation of activists and artists. It is a vital distillation of the spirit of revolt that defined the post-1977 London underground.
An Anarchy of Demons by Charlie Harper
The legendary leader of the U.K. Subs shares his life story in this highly anticipated autobiography, ranging from his roots to his adventures on the road. Harper’s unique voice guides readers through his turbulent personal life and prolific musical career. Enhanced by unseen photos, it is a definitive look at a punk rock icon.
Poems about Love and Punk Rock by Joe McNally
McNally blends memoir and poetry to recount his years touring with bands like Voodoo Glow Skulls and Green Day. Rather than focusing on fame, the book explores the raw reality of addiction and the journey toward sixteen years of sobriety. It is a powerful reflection on finding clarity after a life of chaos.
Days and Days: A Story about Sunderland’s Leatherface and the Ties That Bind
This narrative weaves a backpacking adventure through the UK with an exploration of the influential band Leatherface. It explores how punk and poetry can forge lifelong friendships and inspire creative paths. The book offers a melancholy yet witty look at the greatest British punk band of the modern era.
I Heartbreak The Ramones by Nick Cooper
Nick Cooper provides a blunt, unfiltered account of his years touring and recording as the bandmate of Marky Ramone. The memoir explores the disintegrating friendship between a fan and his idol amidst the pressures of the music industry. It reads like a “warts and all” documentary that pulls no punches about life on the road.
Unscripted Moments: Conversations with Propagandhi (2020-2025) by Greg Soden
Based on the popular podcast, this book explores the history and social influence of the legendary Canadian band Propagandhi. It features deep dives into their discography along with insights from collaborators and fans regarding the band’s anti-fascist and pro-feminist legacy. It is an essential companion for those inspired by the band’s four-decade career.
Jinxed: How Not To Rock ‘n’ Roll by Del Greening
Del Greening shares a humorous, “glory-free” account of his 45-year journey through the highs and lows of the music industry. From his time with Peter and the Test Tube Babies to Flesh for Lulu, the book is a chaotic tour through rock ‘n’ roll hell. It is a smirk-filled memoir for anyone who appreciates the “slippery walk of shame” in show business.
Soul Salvation: A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat by Marc Wasserman
Part memoir and part oral history, this book examines the profound influence of the album Special Beat Service on American fans and musicians alike. It features interviews with band members and notable fans like Eddie Vedder and Elvis Costello. It stands as the first comprehensive exploration of the English Beat’s role in the birth of 80s indie rock.
Toxic Shock Records, Assassin of Mediocrity by Bill Sassenberger
This book tells the bittersweet story of running an independent record shop and label dedicated to outsider music from 1981 to 2014. Sassenberger details the “do it yourself” triumphs and financial struggles of supporting underground culture over three decades. It is a nostalgic and honest look at a lifetime spent in the musical trenches.
The Revolution Will Be Televised by Ray Stuart
Ray Stuart offers a collection of sharp, laconic thoughts on topics ranging from the monarchy to authority. His fierce indignation is balanced by witticisms and a progressive call for readers to organize and rise up. The book serves as a discursive and provocative challenge to the status quo.
My Altercation: The Bandung Melodic Punk Scene 1995-2008 by Prabu Pramayougha
This work provides a unique insider’s perspective on the development of the melodic punk underground in Indonesia. Pramayougha, a music journalist and musician, explores the cultural shifts and key figures that shaped Bandung’s youth scene. It is essential reading for understanding the global reach and local roots of punk culture.
Scream Therapy by Jason Schreurs
Schreurs explores the intersection of punk rock and mental health, showing how the subculture provides catharsis for those dealing with trauma and bipolar disorder. Through personal stories and interviews with health practitioners, the book positions punk as a vital support network. It is an inspiring look at how creativity and community can aid in wellness and recovery.
What If We Were Water by Ricky Frost
This hundred-page collection of poetry and short stories aims to tackle generational trauma and promote self-care. Frost explores themes of love, loss, and healing, offering readers the strength to break negative cycles. It is a reflective work that emphasizes the importance of looking after one another through life’s “relentless waves.”
Spent by Paul Case
Spent is a searing collection of punk poetry and stories set against a backdrop of radical politics and substance abuse. Case uses gallows wit and nightmarish absurdism to explore the underbelly of capitalism. Despite the darkness, the work remains a humane testament to the “bloody-minded hope” that keeps people striving.
In Pursuit of Expression by Martin Appleby
This honest collection spans nearly a decade of Appleby’s life, capturing the messy transition from his 20s to the brink of 40. Filled with heartbreak, hangovers, and punk-rock sensibility, these poems offer a raw look at modern life. It is a heartfelt journey that promises to move readers to both laughter and tears.
A Poke In The Third Eye by Sam Marsh
Marsh delivers nearly two hundred poems that blend punk attitude with Buddhist insight to dissect the minutiae of daily life. The collection tackles diverse subjects like social media, the environment, and spousal abuse with a vivid, “off-the-stabilizers” energy. It is a unique, irreverent ride designed for those who prefer to forge their own flow.
Poets Day Dream by James Domestic
This book takes a cynical yet poignant look at the two institutions that dominate our time: school and work. Domestic explores how these systems aim to instill obedience and drain the life out of the weekly drudge. It is a relatable critique for anyone wondering if there is more to life than the Monday-to-Friday toil.
Sometimes I’m The Bull, Sometimes I’m The China Shop by Leon the poet
Leon’s debut collection is a wide-ranging swing at life in 2024, covering everything from fatherhood and soft plays to suicide and the far right. The work is described as insightful and highly readable, balancing personal vulnerability with sharp cultural commentary. It is a heartfelt exploration of the chaos and beauty found in the modern world.
Daft Punk Verse and a flick of the V’s by Ian Shipley
After decades fronting bands, Shipley returns to his roots with a collection of “daft” and outrageous punk poetry. These thirty-nine poems celebrate a hard-lived life involving fights, beer, and everyday peculiarities with a compassionate, street-level style. It is a defiant “flick of the V’s” at the traditional poetry establishment.
Distraction: Out Of The Silent Suburb by Andrew Coombs
Set during the final decade of the Cold War, this thriller follows the hunt for a missing girl while a nuclear countdown looms. The story weaves together a mystery involving a clergyman’s son and a former soldier being hunted by a vengeful terrorist. It is a darkly comic and realistic page-turner that captures the tension of a potential Armageddon.
Bag of Tricks by Ruby Dee Philippa
The first in a trilogy, this book offers a series of gritty vignettes centered on San Francisco’s punk scene in the early 80s. Readers follow characters like The Shits and their groupies as they navigate drugs, squats, and the cracks of society. It provides an authentic, “mostly true” look at the raw reality of life on the streets.
Tricky Business by Ruby Dee Philippa
This second installment continues the adventures of Val, Marco, and the rest of the gang as they spread out across San Francisco. The stories delve deeper into the mischief and survival tactics required to live on the outskirts of society. It serves as a compelling bridge in the trilogy, focusing on the enduring bonds of the punk community.
Old Tricks, New Treats by Ruby Dee Philippa
The final chapter of the Bag of Tricks trilogy follows the rag-tag gang as they hit new highs and devastating lows. Philippa pulls back the curtain on the darker side of the 70s and 80s punk scene, including estrangement and heavy addiction. It is a sobering yet essential conclusion for those seeking to understand the uncharted lives of street punks.
My life song by song: The story of Dr Strange Records by Bill ‘Doc’ Plaster
“Doc” Plaster shares the heartfelt and often painful origin story of Southern California’s iconic Dr. Strange Records. The book is packed with personal anecdotes and rare 35mm photos of legendary bands like the Dead Kennedys and Bad Brains. It is a definitive history of a mail-order and label empire built at the epicenter of US punk.
Three And A Half Minutes of Fame by Alex Boucher
Boucher recounts his chaotic seven-year quest for stardom after signing a record deal at seventeen. The memoir navigates the 90s cultural landscape, featuring encounters with everyone from Suede to neo-Nazis and boy bands. It is an authentic look at the “last decade before social media,” marked by both industry glitz and personal tragedy.
Mrs Wilson’s Children: Adventures at The Welly Club by Caraline Brown
Caraline Brown provides an insider’s look at promoting some of the most iconic post-punk bands at Hull’s famous Welly Club. The book recounts her experiences staging gigs for acts like The Specials, The Fall, and UK Subs between 1979 and 1981. It is a vibrant celebration of a unique era in the UK’s alternative music history.
Heavy Sounds in the West by Hans Verbeke and Onno Hesselink
This massive, 400-page full-color book chronicles the explosion of heavy metal and hardcore in West Flanders. It features over 300 photos and firsthand accounts of legendary bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Motörhead playing in the Belgian province. It is a comprehensive, “warts and all” tribute to a regional musical awakening.
You Can’t Cheat Karma: The Punk Quiz Book by Martin Punktilious
This carefully researched quiz book challenges both veterans and newcomers with deep-cut trivia from the history of punk. Moving beyond common knowledge, it offers “punktilious” details on everything from Mark E. Smith to Kathleen Hanna. It is a pulsating page-turner designed to grace any punk-rocker’s bedside table.
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