A HARDCORE HEART: ADVENTURES IN A D.I.Y. SCENE | David Gamage | Book

Packed with first-hand stories and unpolished nuggets, this hefty but very-readable book plots a path through UKHC in the ‘90s as it developed into an underground scene.
Focusing on the people; artists, promoters, venues, record labels and fanzines, and following the evolution of the author’s bands, it looks at the intricacies of the post-punk genre and bursts with ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’ hardcore anecdotes that’ll keep you turning the pages.
You’ll read about touring and gigs with hundreds of bands, including Green Day, NOFX, Alice Donut, Jailcell Recipes, The BBMFs, Majority Of One, Spermbirds, The Babies Three, Understand, Samiam, Down By Law, Alloy, Hot Water Music, Bob Tilton, Tribute, Discount, Blue Tip, Leiah, Leatherface, Spy Versus Spy, Hunter Gatherer, Dismemberment Plan, Burning Airlines, Piebald and many more.
If you were ever in a band, then you’ll recognise and empathise with much of the narrative. And if you’ve wondered what it would be like to tour and release records at the underdog end of the alternative music scene, then this book will take you on an invigorating and enlightening roller-coaster ride.

“ ‘A Hardcore Heart’ is an invigorating time capsule, of a period before Instagram, Facebook and MySpace, even before mobile phones, sat navs and Google Maps. It wasn’t easy (nothing worth doing ever is) but we somehow made things happen; we stubbornly battered our dreams into reality and bullishly ignored anyone that told us it couldn’t be done. It was a truly inspirational time, when it seemed anything was possible, and a two-bit hardcore band from a leafy town in Kent could share stages and records with the best the world’s hardcore punk scene had to offer.”
Ian Glasper, Author of ‘The Scene That Would Not Die’

“There have been hundreds of books, films and documentaries about punk rock, it’s initial explosion and the impact it had. They all have their merits, but all seem to think it all stopped in 1979. While a lot of the old guard moved on, punk didn’t die, it moved underground and became more pure, more political and much more relevant to a new generation.

While those early bands talked the talk, these new kids were walking the walk, punk was now a lifestyle. Like a lot of us, David found himself immersed in this lifestyle, and spells out how he got involved, how it all worked and why it was so intoxicating.”
Tony Whatley, Editor of Suspect Device fanzine

“A Hardcore Heart is a comprehensive collection of stories narrated by David Gamage, a hardcore punk veteran who shares insights into the ’90s UK scene in a brilliant, descriptive, and entertaining way. This book will hold your attention until the last pages and hopefully inspire you to start a band, zine, or record label.”
Djordje Miladinovic, Editor of Thoughts Words Action blog

The first edition limited printing is 662 pages with colour images and is shipping now.

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Format Paperback | 662 pages
Dimensions 156.00 x 234.00 x 55.00mm | 1,300 gr
Publication date November 2022
Publisher Earth Island Books
Language English