J. Hunter Bennett
The Prodigal Rogerson: The Tragic, Hilarious, and Possibly Apocryphal Story of Circle Jerks Bassist Roger Rogerson in the Golden Age of LA Punk, 1979-1996
Microcosm Publishing (2017)
After pilfering the band’s vehicle in 1983, the man in charge of the 4-strings, a reprobate by the name of Roger Rogerson, disappeared into the ether. Almost fifteen years after his disappearance, he emerged with the demand for a reunion of the Circle Jerks in a bid to become the biggest rock’n roll band on earth. Shortly after, he died. Despite being one of the original members of the seminal band, his shenanigans were never properly documented. In a compelling narrative based on conversations with contemporary witnesses, with never-before-published photos of the band, The Prodigal Rogerson sheds light on Roger Rogerson’s story and his persona, put into the context of one of the most fertile punk scenes of the early 1980s. Growing up in Europe one imagined that NYC was where the wild things were, not unlike the compilation of the same name suggested, and that the West Coast was laid-back and easy going. Visits during my formative years and eye witness reports of scenesters proved that the place that spawned melodic punk rock, was in its hey days a hotbed for violence, mayhem and all kinds of craziness. Bennett uses interviews Rogerson’s family, ex-bandmates, companions, record label owners, journalists, … Read more
No Use for a Name
Rarities Vol. 1: The Covers
Fat Wreck Chords (2017)
I harbour a weak spot for No Use for a Name, a band that eventually became a melodic pop-punk band … Read more
David Bowie
A New Career in a New Town
Parlophone (2017)
I have successfully broken my brain trying to find something new to say about David Bowie. I believe it to … Read more
