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Punk Paradox

A Memoir

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From the legendary singer-songwriter of Bad Religion comes a historical memoir and cultural criticism of punk rock’s evolution.

Greg Graffin is the lead vocalist and songwriter of Bad Religion, recently described as “America's most significant punk band.” Since its inception in Los Angeles in 1980, Bad Religion has produced 18 studio albums, become a long-running global touring powerhouse, and has established a durable legacy as one of the most influential punk rock bands of all time.

Punk Paradox is Graffin's life narrative before and during L.A. punk's early years, detailing his observations on the genre's explosive growth and his band's steady rise in importance. The book begins by exploring Graffin’s Midwestern roots and his life-changing move to Southern California in the mid-’70s. Swept up into the burgeoning punk scene in the exhilarating and often-violent streets of Los Angeles, Graffin and his friends formed Bad Religion, built a fanbase, and became a touring institution. All these activities took place in parallel with Graffin's never ceasing quest for intellectual enlightenment. Despite the demands of global tours, recording sessions, and dedication to songwriting, the author also balanced a budding academic career. In so doing, he managed to reconcile an improbable double-life as an iconic punk rock front man and University Lecturer in evolution.

Graffin’s unique experiences mirror the paradoxical elements that define the punk genre—the pop influence, the quest for society’s betterment, music’s unifying power—all of which are prime ingredients in its surprising endurance. Fittingly, this book argues against the traditional narrative of the popular perception of punk. As Bad Religion changed from year to year, the spirit of punk—and its sonic significance—lived on while Graffin was ever willing to challenge convention, debunk mythology, and liberate listeners from the chains of indoctrination.

As insightful as it is exciting, this thought-provoking memoir provides both a fly on the wall history of the punk scene and astute commentary on its endurance and evolution. Entertainment & Celebrities Music Social Sciences Celebrity Memoir Inspiring

Critic reviews

“Greg Graffin has been in the guts of the Punk Rock machine for literally decades. I would dare say there's not a lot you can tell him he doesn't already know. Any observation Greg makes is from the front line and worthy of consumption. In Punk Paradox, Greg meticulously lays out the evolution of Bad Religion not only as a band working to stay relevant but also as an entity that's had to carefully navigate great success and the myriad challenges that come with it. Good stuff.”—Henry Rollins
"Fearlessly pulling back the veil to show us the unpretentious, self-aware, deeply sensitive pacifist with a love for humanity and going against the grain, Greg Graffin shatters all expectations and assumptions of what it means to be punk rock, inviting us all to evolve."—Aimee Allen, lead vocalist of The Interruptors
“Before Nirvana ever recorded a note, Greg Graffin’s band, Bad Religion, was brilliantly fusing punk rock intensity with philosophy. Who else but Graffin would cite both Black Flag’s ‘Nervous Breakdown’ and Charles Darwin’s Voyage of the Beagle as major influences?

With wit and brutal honesty, Graffin brings to life his unique journey: his parallel paths as an academic with a PhD in Zoology and that of an internationally influential punk rocker. He offers insights into band dynamics, the creative process, the way that art and career intersect with personal lives, the Southern California punk scene of the ’80s and ’90s and the currents of the music business that artists deal with along the way.”—Danny Goldberg, author of Serving The Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain
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A really intriguing deep dive into Graffin's life, qnd hus psyche. Surprisingly open and candid considering his more limited and seemingly guarded approach during interviews.

Probably just for fans, but what an insight!

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The much-needed insight into Bad Religion that the by-numbers biography of the band didn't deliver. At times poignant, occasionally insufferable and all extremely entertaining, this is the exact book you would expect from BR's lead pontificator. It's got some great deep dives into the early years of the band, as well as granular detail of the music business and the bands uncomfortable fit in the wider punk scene.

Only downsides are the abrupt ending, skipping over everything post-Process of Belief. For another book, maybe? Also appreciated the opening and ending being read by the man himself. But given how great his voice is, why not the whole thing? While the narrator did a good job, I can't help feeling Graffin would have read certain bits with more knowing and irony, taking the slightly pompous air from some of the thinkier passages. Overall though, a wonderful read, that only slightly demystifies a truly unique and wholesome entertainer who continues to be relevant in a pop culture landscape dominated by narcissism and fashion.

The Book the Bad Religion Biography Wasn't

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Great insight into the life of a great man. learnt a great deal about him and not just bad religion.

damn!!

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The narrators used in the book were disappointing in that the change to Bill and Ted at the end just ruined the book. It's almost like the commissioners ran out of funds and just found some surf dude to read the rest of the book. Other than that I enjoyed the book and was interesting understanding some of the reasons Bad Religion came to be

Great backstory to Bad Religion

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