Whether they're self-taught bashers or technical wizards, drummers are the thrashing, crashing heart of our favorite punk bands. In Forbidden Beat, some of today's most respected writers and musicians explore the history of punk percussion with personal essays, interviews and lists featuring their favorite players and biggest influences. From sixties garage rock and proto-punk to seventies New York and London, eighties hardcore and D-beat to nineties pop punk and beyond, Forbidden Beat is an uptempo ode to six decades of punk rock drumming.
Featuring Ira Elliot, Curt Weiss, John Robb, Hudley Flipside, Bon Von Wheelie, Joey Shithead, Matt Diehl, D.H. Peligro, Mike Watt, Lynn Perko-Truell, Pete Finestone, Laura Bethita Neptuna, Jan Radder, Jim Ruland, Eric Beetner, Jon Wurster, Lori Barbero, Joey Cape, Tré Cool, Marko DeSantis, Mindy Abovitz, Steven McDonald, Kye Smith, Ian Winwood, Phanie Diaz, Benny Horowitz, Shari Page, Urian Hackney, and Rat Scabies.
"Niche you say? We like Niche. In the weeds. Talking shop. This is a deep dive into an overlooked sport. A history lesson on the evolution of punk drumming from the source. From Rat Scabies to Discharge to Lori Barbero, most of my heroes are now trapped together between these covers."
— Brendan Canty, Fugazi and The Messthetics
"Within the seemingly endless flow of books on the genre, Forbidden Beat stands out in being both enlightening and lively as it sheds light on the forgotten beat keepers of punk."
—Tony Rettman, The Wire Magazine
"Forbidden Beat is a collection of many different drummers' perspectives-which take the form of anecdotes, listicles, and historical essays-that Lauden has molded into a cohesive, eminently readable whole."
—Morgan Troper, The Believer
"This should be required reading for all music majors."
—Rosie Gonce, Razorcake
"Ahistory lesson in the form of an all-access, backstage pass."
—Rob Janicke, Generation Riff
About the Author
S. W. Lauden is the coeditor of Go All The Way: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop and the sequel, Go Further. His Greg Salem punk rock PI series includes Bad Citizen Corporation, Grizzly Season, and Hang Time. Steve's a father, husband, writer and drummer living in Los Angeles. Twitter: @swlauden.
