Mutations: The Many Strange Faces of Hardcore Punk

Written by Sam McPheeters and Tobi Vail

Narrated by Sam McPheeters

How can so many people pledge allegiance to punk, something with no fixed identity? Depending on who and where you are, punk can be an outlet, excuse, lifestyle, escapism, conversation, community, ideology, sales category, social movement, punishable offense, badge of authenticity, reason to drink beer forever, or an aesthetic of belligerent incompetence. And if someone has a strong belief about what punk is, odds are they have even stronger feelings about what punk is not.

Sam McPheeters championed many different versions. Over the course of two decades, he fronted Born Against, released dozens of records and fanzines, and toured seventeen times across the northern hemisphere. In this collection of essays, profiles, criticism, and personal history, he examines the diverse realms he intersected-New York hardcore, Riot Grrrl, Gilman street, the hidden enclaves of Olympia, New England, and downtown Los Angeles-and the forces of mental illness and creative inspiration that drove him, and others, in the first place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Mar 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781684579655

Reviews for Mutations

[Leadbelt Chapman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A disjointed and honest retelling of punk rock and hardcore in the late 80s through early 2000s. The author thankfully had no time to wax poetically about past projects he'd participated in; he was blunt about his misgivings, regrets and mistakes in decades of participation in DIY music all across America. An easy read, chapters could even be taken in out of order. I say this as high praise that this would be a great book to have on the back of the toilet, as any given chapter is short and it's own story. The chapter on Crucifucks vocalist Doc Dart and the author's conversation with Aaron Cometbus are particularly enlightening.