If you’re a fan of Bad Religion, you’ve heard the legendary punk rock band’s story by now. In Greg Graffin’s latest book “Punk Paradox,” the professor and front man gives you a deeper look from his perspective as an academic and a punk rocker.
If you’ve read the autobiography on the band “Do What You Want,” “Punk Paradox” isn’t much different., in fact, it’s also similar to Graffin’s “Anarchy Evolution.” Graffin goes into detail about his upbringing, introduction to punk, his studies at prestigious universities like UCLA and Cornell, his career in academia as a professor, and the evolution of Bad Religion. There’s some tidbits and insight here that are lacking in the other Bad Religion-centric books that are really the book’s main selling point- the depth .
Again, the story being told isn’t new here. In music terms, think of “Punk Paradox” as a deluxe edition or a companion piece to “Do What You Want.”
For hard core fans of the band, it’s a worthy addition to the bookshelf.
-By MIKE DAMANTE
If you are a fan ofpunk, Mike Damante’s latest book “Hey Suburbia: A guide to the emo/pop-punk rise” is out now, and features interviews with Alkaline Trio, blink-182. Descendents, New Found Glory and others.