NATIONAL BESTSELLER AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR "Ozzi's reporting is strong, balanced and well told...a worthy successor to its obvious inspiration, Michael Azerrad's 2001 examination of the '80s indie underground, Our Band Could Be Your Life."--New York Times Book Review This raucous history explores the growing pains of punk, emo, and hardcore during the commercial boom of the early '90s to mid-aughts, focusing on eleven bands as they navigate the challenges of "selling out" and achieving mainstream fame or succumbing to the pressures. In the mid-'90s, punk rock faced a crossroads after Nirvana's unexpected mainstream success with Nevermind, leading major labels to target the underground scene. The DIY punk community, known for its authenticity and anti-establishment ethos, resisted this commercialization, resulting in a divide between those who embraced major label opportunities and those who clung to their indie roots. Dan Ozzi chronicles this tumultuous period, detailing the last "gold rush" of the music industry. Through original interviews and personal stories, he highlights the journeys of bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and My Chemical Romance, capturing the essence of a transformative era in music history.
