book Archive

My latest book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, gets its official release this week (of course you can already order it direct from HoZac Books, from a certain mega-online retailer, and from your local independent bookstore via Indiebound). I’m celebrating the release with a book event here in Asheville,

Niester has had a long career, writing for mainstream papers about music; that proud tradition is, sadly, one that no longer exists. Good luck finding a daily that covers live music. Even altweekles have scaled back their coverage; reviews of concerts are increasingly rare. But beginning in the early ‘70s, and working primarily in Canada,

It’s happened to me, and I’d imagine it has happened to you. You’re out in public somewhere – a bar, a food court, a record store, outside a music venue waiting for the doors to open – somewhere you’d encounter strangers. And being a not-unfriendly sort, you find yourself drawn into conversation with one of

I’m on record as being an ardent Fuzztones fan. And while the band has created plenty of music to satisfy fans’ cravings for garagefuzzpunk, those similarly inclined are apt to be interested in anything in and around the band. Happily, Fuzztone Numero Uno, Rudi Proudi understands and appreciates that fat. That, or he finds that

I love my work; I really do. But even against the backdrop of the thousands of other stories with which I’ve been – and continue to be – involved, the work on my book about 415 Records stands apart. The manuscript is coming along briskly; I’ve already written more than 35,000 words, and have drafts