VIA PRESS RELEASE | On February 8th, Forbidden Beat: Perspectives on Punk Drumming will be available for purchase everywhere books are sold and is currently available for pre-order. It’s a book about punk rock, as told from the perspective of those behind the kit. Whether they’re self-taught bashers or technical wizards, drummers are the thrashing, crashing heart of our favorite punk bands.
In Forbidden Beat, some of today’s most respected writers and musicians explore the history of punk percussion with personal essays, interviews and lists featuring their favorite players and biggest influences. From ’60s garage rock and proto-punk to ’70s New York and London, ’80s hardcore and D-beat to ’90s pop punk and beyond, Forbidden Beat is an uptempo ode to six decades of punk rock drumming.
The list of contributors is a diverse collection of musicians and writers that includes: Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland), Phanie Diaz (Fea), Bon Von Wheelie (Girl Trouble), Laura Bethita Neptuna (The Neptunas), Tre Cool (Green Day), Mike Watt (Minutemen), Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, Superchunk), Rat Scabies (The Damned) and many others. Full list below.
“Niche you say? We like Niche. In the weeds. Talking shop. This is a deep dive into an overlooked sport. A history lesson on the evolution of punk drumming from the source. From Rat Scabies to Discharge to Lori Barbero, most of my heroes are now trapped together between these covers.” —Brendan Canty, Fugazi and The Messthetics
Contributor List:
Foreword by Lucky Lehrer (Circle Jerks)
Introduction by S.W. Lauden (The Brothers Steve, Tsar)
ESSAY: Ira Elliot on Proto Punk & Garage Rock (Nada Surf)
ESSAY: Curt Weiss on Jerry Nolan (New York Dolls)
ESSAY: John Robb on British Punk (Editor of Louder Than War)
TOP 5 DRUMMERS: Hudley Flipside (Former co-owner of Flipside fanzine)
ESSAY: Bon Von Wheelie (Girl Trouble)
ESSAY: Matt Diehl on D-Beat (Author, Music Journalist)
ESSAY: D.H. Peligro (Dead Kennedys)
INTERVIEW: Mike Watt on George Hurley (Minutemen, fiREHOSE)
ESSAY: Lynn Perko-Truell (The Dicks, Sister Double, Happiness, Imperial Teen)
ESSAY: Laura Bethita Neptuna on Gina Schock (The Neptunas)
TOP 5 DRUMMERS: Pete Finestone (Bad Religion)
INTERVIEW: Jan Radder on Grant Hart (Writer of Grant Hart documentary)
ESSAY: Jim Ruland on Bill Stevenson (Author of My Damage; Do What You Want)
ESSAY: Eric Beetner on D.C. Hardcore & Post Punk (Crime Author)
TOP 5 DRUMMERS: Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, Superchunk)
INTERVIEW: Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland)
ESSAY: Joey Cape on Derrick Plourde (Lagwagon)
TOP 5 DRUMMERS: Marko DeSantis (Sugarcult, Bad Astronaut)
INTERVIEW: Tré Cool (Green Day)
ESSAY: Mindy Abovitz on Riot grrrl & Tom Tom Magazine (Tom Tom Magazine)
INTERVIEW: Steven McDonald (Redd Kross, Melvins)
ESSAY: Kye Smith on Self-Taught Punk Drumming (YouTube star)
ESSAY: Ian Winwood on Brooks Wackerman (Author of Smash)
INTERVIEW: Phanie Diaz (Fea)
ESSAY: Benny Horowitz (Mercy Union, Gaslight Anthem)
TOP 5 DRUMMERS: Shari Page (Thick)
ESSAY: Urian Hackney (Rough Francis & Death)
INTERVIEW: Rat Scabies (The Damned)
In anticipation of the book’s release, there are a number of events to celebrate. Below are details about those events, which include a live in-person conversation in San Diego with the book’s editor S.W. Lauden and one of its contributors, Jim Rutland, a virtual roundtable discussion presented by Tom Tom Magazine and a video by popular YouTube drummer Kye Smith playing various selections from bands featured in the book.
Today, popular YouTube drummer Kye Smith (167K subscribers) is thrilled to share a video of himself playing various selections from drummers featured in his essay included in the book, which you can read an advanced excerpt of HERE.
