My First Time is a brilliant collection of anecdotes and short stories of first punk rock shows.  I loved it!  The energy, the angst, the fear, the elation - these are all the exactly the same feelings I had when I went to my first shows.  Actually these are the same feelings I have every time I go to a show - the nervous empty pit of the stomach feeling, the delirous feeling as the band comes on stage to tune up just before belting into the opener.

It took me back 20 years, made me remember why I love this music so much, why I love the movement, the people, the concept, the zines, the attitude so much.  I could smell and taste shows as I read through.  There is a wide variety of stories to behold, but all are relevant and equally compelling, no matter how they are told.

One of the best books I have read this year - and I was very sad to finish.

Published by the excellent AK Press - click on the cover picture to find out more and order.