Punk USA: The Rise and Downfall of Lookout! Records (Punx) Paperback – December 1, 2014

Although a bit expensive for an ebook, and lacking a few of the folks you really want to hear from-like Ben Weasel or Tim Barry-this book is a fantastic retelling of the story of Lookout Records, and of the late 80's-early 90's Bay Area Scene in general. As a huge fan of the label and it's releases in my formative years, this was a great ride through territory that was previously populated mostly by internet rumors. Mr. Prested sets the story straight, a good thing for both Lookout and its fans, and even when the narrative turns to a cautionary tale, the storytelling never wavers in strength.I would recommend this book to anyone with even a minor interest in punk rock history, and with no reservations to anyone who grew up listening to bands like The Queers, Avail, or Operation Ivy. Mr. Prested has done a wonderful job telling a story that is both uplifting and very depressing, and I hope that he revisits this subject someday with better access to some of the bigger names from 1990's punk rock that missed out this time around.

Great read for hardcore fans of all things lookout as well as the early 90s pop-punk explosion. Can be very detailed at times, but I enjoyed the read and got to learn and then listen to some bands I had never previously heard of. I wish there was more input from Ben Weasel and Larry Livermore. Maybe they can write a book together someday? Now that'd be a great read.

The history of Punk Rock in the Oakland California area, i.e. Lookout Records. In its heydey Lookout Records could be trusted to deliver the goods. This books covers all those goods and not-so goods as well. There are interviews with almost everyone involved with the "scene" from back in the day. Sadly, Lookout Records is not around, having fallen victim to the changing tide of Punk Rock which is tragic as the Underground is missing a badly-needed alternative to the mainstream pop being forced upon us today. This is a compelling read and by reading this and using youtube as a reference to find the obscure treasures mentioned, an aural history supports the words of Kevin Prested.

Lookout Records was the soundtrack of my late teens, when I joined a band and got into tons of new music and best times ever. I was pumped to find this and it isn't disappointing! Top notch interviews

Delivered on time. Gift for my husband he is happy

Very good read and informative, must read for any lookout fans- or really just music fans! Go get it suckers!

I bought this as a gift for my husband and he wouldn’t go to sleep until he finished it. He loved the book— we had seen all the bands during high school.

A fine read, if yr the sort of person who will read anything even tangentially punk-related. Could have used more hot gossip about Joe Queer being a total piece of s***. I enjoyed it, but not too much.

Bought this an old school friend wrote it, and was keen to see the fan's side of the story. While the book is interesting from a music trivia point of view, the organisation and writing leaves a fair amount to be desired. The book jumps backwards and forwards in time without warning or guidance, and for some reason, whenever a quote is used, the author insists on listing all of the bands that person was involved with EVERY TIME. There are some notable people missing from the book, major players in the story who are either under-represented or not included at all, with not much explanation why a central viewpoint is missing. I suspect this book would have been shorter with some half decent editing, but it would have been stronger and tighter for it. One for the true fans without a doubt though.

Une histoire de l'évolution du punk USA