Rock and the Pop Narcotic: Testament for the Electric Church

529 pages, with photos. Joe Carducci, best known for his integral role in running SST Records, offers his perspective and criticism on the history and evolution of rock music, with particular focus on the underdog heroes of the 70s and 80s such as Pere Ubu, Black Flag, Minutemen, Saccharine Trust, and Birthday Party. "By some distance, Rock and the Pop Narcotic is the most original and provocative book on rock of the last fifteen years. The second section, an encyclopedic survey of five decades of rock music, is particularly impressive...But it's Part One that will change all your ideas about music..." - by Simon Reynolds, author of Rip It Up and Start Again.