Punk Rock Etiquette: The Ultimate How-To-Guide for Punk, Underground, DIY, and Indie Bands

I am a middle school teacher and am constantly searching for things to recommend to boys in my classes. While there is much wonderful young adult literature out there, I still have trouble finding things that fit the bill for the "skateboarding rock and roller guy." This engaging book is like a silver bullet. I've ordered two for my classroom, and they do not stay on my shelves - they're constantly checked out. I think it's because of the conversational approach that the author takes, as well as his cheeky drawings of humanoid animals guys and gals doing band-ish things. I also plan to use it as an example for a lesson on finding authentic voice as a writer. One thing worth mentioning if you plan to use it in a classroom: It does use the word hell and acknowledges (but does not necessarily endorse) the fact that some people consume alcohol. I do not find that the subject matter is any "worse" than that found in other books, but be aware of it before you put it out there so you're ready if a high-strung parent freaks out on you.

this book is it and its great because it aint about countery music haha

"Punk Rock Etiquette" is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to start a band. It gives the basics on everything from finding and choosing bandmates, findings gigs, making your own merchandise, and touring. The book is full of useful advice on stage and touring etiquette, and tells you why these guidelines are so important. The biggest thing that makes this book stand out from other books on these topics, is that it is entertaining. There are many books on how to start a band and how to print your own shirts, but they tend to be very dry and clinical. That's not punk rock! Travis Nichols doesn't dwell on a topic longer than necessary, and the book flows nicely. The writing has the feel of a friend who has been there sitting you down and telling you what you need to know.

Are you looking for a quick read? Want to laugh out loud? Need a book that doubles as entertainment and as reference for all your diy band how-tos? Well, friends, you have come to the right place. Nichols keeps this page turner light, friendly and full of do-gooder advice. As if this weren't enough, we also get plenty of cute cartoons drawn by Nichols. This is a fun book that I also plan to buy for friends.

It is a well-known scientific fact that everyone wants to be in a band. Everyone. At least, that's what illustrator/musician/author Travis Nichols was presumably banking on when he wrote "Punk Rock Etiquette: The Ultimate How-To Guide for DIY, Punk, Indie and Underground Bands." As the book's lengthy subtitle suggests, "Etiquette" offers loads of tips to aspiring rockers from the perspective of Nichols, who has firsthand experience wading through the not-so-glamorous trenches of the (extremely) indie-rock scene. It is a refreshingly quick read, and Nichols punches up his earnest advice with enough humor and personal anecdotes to paint a realistic picture of what it must be like to play in -- and tour with -- a garage band with a few buddies. To be sure, the book is very much geared toward the class of bands that truly qualify as "indie" -- the ones whose members hand-draw their own posters and flyers, make CD sleeves from cereal boxes, count on word-of-mouth publicity, and survive by booking any paying gig they can get their hands on (and going halfsies on gas and food money). Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger will find nothing useful here, but for the remaining 95 percent of bands who regularly lug their equipment around in a used GMC van, the information contained in Nichols' guide is invaluable. Part One provides descriptions of several common types of potential bandmates (i.e., The Tortured Poet, The Rock Star, The Delinquent) and lists their respective pros and cons. Also given is an insightful list of do's and don'ts to follow when choosing the look and name of your group (do not wear one of your band's own T-shirts on stage, and avoid using weird capitalization in your band's moniker: "SeE hoW lame iT LoOkS?" writes Nichols.) Nichols has played in a number of bands (Omega Monster Patrol!, the Needies) and even self-released a few albums, so it's obvious he knows his stuff when it comes to "Etiquette"'s subject matter. And the passion with which he writes about life as a small-time musician is incredibly endearing and honest. Nichols hasn't hit the big time yet, but to hear him tell it, the sense of satisfaction and fan adoration he gets from performing at a local youth center is comparable to a headlining gig at Madison Square Garden. Information about the technical side of music abounds, with advice about the different types of recording equipment, how to best utilize your time in a studio, and even a step-by-step guide for screen-printing your own T-shirts (merchandise can be a significant source of revenue for even the most amateurish of bands, Nichols says.) The heart of "Etiquette" lies in the very genesis of its inception: manners in music. Nichols' tongue-in-cheek delusions of grandeur may elevate the persona of a humble musician to that of a bona fide rock god who would gladly melt your face off with a blistering guitar solo, but he is still very much a Nice Young Man. A lifelong Texan, a vegan and a relentless friend to the env