A small town Florida teenager discovers punk rock through a loaned mix tape and punk music and culture slowly takes over all aspects of his life. His new passion causes him to form a band, track down out-of-print records that he loves and begin to reissue them, open a record store, begin a record distribution operation as a public service, mentor a host of young musicians, and befriend all manner of punk luminaries along the way. Slowly, his life's pursuit pushes him to the point of personal ruination and ultimately redemption.
About the Author :
Bob Suren: Bob Suren discovered punk rock as a teenager and spent thirty years of his life exploring all aspects of the genre. He is the founder of Sound Idea Store and Distribution and Burrito Recordster and remains an obsessive vinyl collector.
Review :
Really brings to life the early days of the American punk scene as it spread slowly across the country, through turntables, fanzines, and word of mouth. His vivid vinyl recollections illustrate how good record stores and adventurous college radio stations were so essential in bringing startling new music into the lives of many previously isolated kids. It follows the trajectory of a kid-turned-concert-promoter as his passion for music became all-consuming. --Jeff Nelson, Minor Threat A fun, easy-to-read, personal narrative of 30 years of living through Punk Rock--finding records, going to concerts, making discoveries, and a myriad of other experiences--that help the reader make sense of a still-inspiring cultural revolution and breakthrough philosophy of life that spawned the current entrepreneurial culture (where everybody wants to start their own start-up). D-I-Y, indeed... --V. Vale, RE/SEARCH Publications
"Bob Suren delivers some great punk rawk history through anecdote and wit, intermingled with personal stories of love, loss, the characters that have come and gone and that elusive hunk of vinyl that's just around the next corner.... All spanning 30 years of Bob's life." - Ami Lawless, Voetsek
A passionate and cautionary tale of the ecstasy and dark side of a serious vinyl addiction in the golden age of pre-internet wax hoarding . A must read for anyone who collects anything!" - Tesco Vee, the Meatmen.
"More than just your typical "record guide," Crate Digger allows us to accompany Bob on his passionate 30+ year punk rock journey. The anecdotal approach reminds us that, for the passionate music fan, there's a personal connection to a particular record that often conjures up various memories, both good and bad." - Al Quint, Suburban Voice magazine and Sonic Overload Radio.
To say that Bob Suren is punk, or this book is just about punk or hardcore would be extremely limiting. Anybody who has grown up within an underground music scene will get the feeling of community, appreciation and contribution from this book, AND Bob writes about some killer bands, killer shows, killer records as well as amazing anecdotes and experiences with others as committed to underground music as he- and some not so much! This is his journey over the decades. Accolades to him for playing a vital role within that scene. This book is a tribute to being human, and living FOR music. - Diane Kamikaze Farris, WFMU DJ
This reads like my own story except in some other state and a record store instead of a tape label. And he's incredibly more productive than me. And he's in a band. Ok, it's nothing like me. No, it's our story. It's a shared punk rock story. That is a delight to read because so much is recognizable and he remembers things that make me laugh. I'm still laughing at a couple of things. - Chris BCT, Borderless Country Tapes
