Punk Rock Etiquette

Bibliographic Information: Nichols, T. (2008). Punk rock etiquette: The ultimate how-to guide for diy, punk, indie, and underground bands. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN: 1596434155

Plot Summary: N/A

Critical Evaluation: For the striving musician and diy-er, this fun how-to book provides tips and ways to start a garage band, develop a fan base, and become rock and roll legends. With witty and wise words, Nichols gives teens the opportunity to learn the importance of merchandising, booking shows, touring, and on-stage performance etiquette to become a successful band. Funny illustrations are interspersed with text to offer a hand made “zine” feel. Though there is some practical advice offered, this book is primarily for humorous entertainment (and his tips for sleeping in a van while touring sound fun, but can be dangerous).

Part of what makes this book so entertaining, is the drama Nichols weaves into his topics. For example, when discussing stage etiquette, he describes three steps to “winning millions of dollars” through performance: The Setup, The Thunder, and The Departure. He switches between examples of bands with good and bad etiquette, with little cartoonish sketches to illustrate. The bad band heads straight for the bar, while the good band introduces themselves to the sound guy and sets up their merchandise table. Even if the rock and roll dream seems trite, the overall theme of advice is professionalism—which can be carried into any career choice.

Reader’s Annotation: Learn about all of the in-and-outs of forming band, writing, recording, getting fans, and touring with this quirky how-to guide.

Author Information: From his official website, the quirky Travis Nichols says of himself:

“I write books. And draw drawings. And paint. And draw comics. And rock (and roll). So until this interweb fad goes away or gets co-opted by THE MAN, this is a “website” of my work. Feel free to “click around”. I also cold hustle my wares, so if you’ve paid your rent and picked up enough tofu and vegetables to get you by until next week, well, have at it, darling. I accept funds made of money. Also, I like you a lot. And I really wish you’d recycle.

Hey, but seriously, though. Real quick. I’m the author and illustrator of Matthew Meets the Man, The Monster Doodle Book, and Punk Rock Etiquette: The Ultimate How-To Guide for DIY, Punk, Indie, and Underground Bands. Punk Rock Etiquette was awarded a Blue Ribbon by The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. I’m still waiting on the actual blue ribbon to arrive. PRE was also nominated as one of the Best Books for Young Adults, as well as one of the 2009 Popular Paperbacks by YALSA.”

Genre: Non-Fiction, How-to-Guide

Subjects: punk music, rock music, bands, DIY

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: Have teens divide into two groups: the band with good etiquette, and the band without. Have them act out examples form the book.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 12+

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: This is an ALA Best Book for YA’s and a very humorous read for all those punk teens.