Review

The Day the Country Died: A History of Anarcho Punk 1980–1984 in Musique Machine

Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980–1984

By John B. Moore
Neufutur.com
September 2014

If you quickly answer “Blink 182!” when asked about your favorite punk band, this book is probably not meant for you. But for those with a burning desire to dig deeper than The Clash and Sex Pistols to discover below-the-radar groups from the original British punk rock scene, then Burning Britain is your new Bible.

This dense, but still easily digestible reference (thanks to the brief write ups for each band. including essential discography, “at a glance” sections) includes plenty of influential bands you’ve likely heard of like Cockney Rejects, G.B.H., Discharge and The Adicts and many, many more you likely haven’t.

Burning Britain, written by Ian Glaser, a longtime punk rock fan (one of the reasons this book is enjoyable to read), originally came out 10 years ago, but this updated version includes seven new band entries as well as updated sections on English Dogs, Chaos UK and The Destructors. Certainly not for everyone, but the Holy Grail for some.

Back to Ian Glasper’s Author Page