Rating: 
Summary: "Make The Music Go Bang": A must for L.A. Punk enthusiasts.
Review: "Make The Music Go Bang" is the story of the Los Angeles punk scene told through the eyes of the very people that it consisted of. Consisting mostly of 3-5 page anecdotes, the book is a relatively smooth read, although the styles are varied, jagged and real, much like the Los Angeles punk new music scene itself. Photos taken by scenster Gary Leonard appear clear and convey the chaotic, anarchic, violent happenings of the typical punk gig. Highlights are the writtings by Brenden Mullen and Pleasent Gheman, both excellent writers, and the photos of punk favorites like The Germs, The Adolescents, X, Black Flag, and The Circle Jerks. Overall an Exhillirating reading experience
Rating: 
Summary: Overpriced and Perfunctory
Review: I bought this "history" at a time when I was obsessed by the L.A. hardcore scene. Any information on it at all would have been like steak to famished hounds. So why was I let down?Maybe I was spoiled by excellent books like the essential "Banned in D.C.", but this one did little to satisfy my curiosity. It has some nice photographs and interesting (though brief and overly congenial) chapters by Brendan Mullen and Keith Morris. It has a list of punk venues and hang-outs in L.A. back in the day. But there's nothing else of substance. No history of the development of punk music in California, few exciting anecdotes, and almost no descriptions of performers and punks. What were these people like? What were their inspirations, what drew them together, how did it feel to be a part of this tribe? You won't find out here. I guess the main draw of the book is the photographs, but there are none from the most interesting and creative era in L.A. punk: pre-1979. And the slender commentary meant to tie these cryptic images together has an overly precious and wistful tone: the equivalent of an old hippie sighing, "You just hadda be there, man...." Half the chronoclers seem to have turned complacent and a little ashamed of their pasts, and others, like Claude Bessy (whose contribution is particularly worthless, rest his soul) deem themselves too "hip" to even try to be coherent. My overall impression is that a true, old-school punk would've ripped a book like this to shreds. Glibness, indifference, and price tag included, it's in denial of everything the movement originally stood for.
Rating:
Summary: Overpriced and Perfunctory
Review: I bought this "history" at a time when I was obsessed by the L.A. hardcore scene. Any information on it at all would have been like steak to famished hounds. So why was I let down? Maybe I was spoiled by excellent books like the essential "Banned in D.C.", but this one did little to satisfy my curiosity. It has some nice photographs and interesting (though brief and overly congenial) chapters by Brendan Mullen and Keith Morris. It has a list of punk venues and hang-outs in L.A. back in the day. But there's nothing else of substance. No history of the development of punk music in California, few exciting anecdotes, and almost no descriptions of performers and punks. What were these people like? What were their inspirations, what drew them together, how did it feel to be a part of this tribe? You won't find out here. I guess the main draw of the book is the photographs, but there are none from the most interesting and creative era in L.A. punk: pre-1979. And the slender commentary meant to tie these cryptic images together has an overly precious and wistful tone: the equivalent of an old hippie sighing, "You just hadda be there, man...." Half the chronoclers seem to have turned complacent and a little ashamed of their pasts, and others, like Claude Bessy (whose contribution is particularly worthless, rest his soul) deem themselves too "hip" to even try to be coherent. My overall impression is that a true, old-school punk would've ripped a book like this to shreds. Glibness, indifference, and price tag included, it's in denial of everything the movement originally stood for.
Rating:
Summary: Really puts you there
Review: I just finished re-reading this book after a few months, and it's even better than I remembered. This is the only book I've found that has classic L.A. punk (as opposed to band) photos - pics that I remember looking at twenty-five years ago, and being influenced by them. It talks about Baces Hall and the Vex; this really is the book to buy if you want to get a feel of what it was like. I upped this review from four to five stars, because it's even better the second time around. If you were there, in the mid-seventies to early eighties, it'll bring back great memories; if you weren't there - Make The Music Go Bang will give you a glimpse into what was an amazing scene.
Rating: 
Summary: This book really stinks!
Review: It's only here because so little documentation about this era exists.To look at this one would think the punk movement was started andconfined to Hollywood. Does not even have an index to referencespecific people and bands. Gary Leonard- an excellent photographer-is poorly represented with badly reproduced pictures. At ($) thisis highway robbery.
Rating: 
Summary: insightful look at a wild time!
Review: this book is cool, but even better is "High On Rebellion/Inside the Underground at Max's Kansas City" by Yvonne Sewell Ruskin, loaded with NY Dolls/Johnny Thunders,Psychotic Frogs,Jayne County, Cherry Vanilla, etc THE REAL SCENE! YEAH!
Rating:
Summary: The pictures speak, the text kept me reading.
Review: This book is full of exceptional photos that document the early L.A. punk scene. I remember seeing Gary Leanord (the photographer) at many of these shows. Hidden in these photos are many of those who went on and carried the L.A. punk scene into the the next stage, such as members of Bad Religion. I purchased this book for the photos but I soon found myself deeply involved in the text. I was especially impressed by the section written by Keith Morris of Black Flag and Circle Jerks fame. Although it was exciting to find myself in a picture slamming at the Starwood, I wouldn't just recommend this book to those that were there, I also recommend Make the Music Go Bang to all those who have an interest in punk rock and music history.
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!
Review: This book, to say the most is O.K., the writing, as a 1 on 1 peice is great, but when they put it toghter it's too much, like a "we we're just there to party" kinda thing, no real mentions of bands no real stories, just a kinda what-were-we-thinking kinda book. There was no photos from the 70s since only Gary's photos are in this book and it's too bad because they missed out! I don't think I saw one picture of the Weirdos, the Screamers, the Bags, the Eyes, the Controllers - I can go on..
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!
Review: This book, to say the most is O.K., the writing, as a 1 on 1 peice is great, but when they put it toghter it's too much, like a "we we're just there to party" kinda thing, no real mentions of bands no real stories, just a kinda what-were-we-thinking kinda book. There was no photos from the 70s since only Gary's photos are in this book and it's too bad because they missed out! I don't think I saw one picture of the Weirdos, the Screamers, the Bags, the Eyes, the Controllers - I can go on..
Rating:
Summary: & it Did Go Bang!!!
Review: Very Good Overview of the Seminal late 70's Punk Scene & beyond. The LA scene seemed to Rise up on its own Without The Rock Press giving much notice or influence. That is a Good thing. New York was "Too Cool" London "Too Reactionary" But the LA scene since it was very much more of a Vacuum, was able to Grow up on its own terms & inevitably Crumble under Its own Terms too. The Book has many Voices telling the Tale, The Best way to tell almost Any Rock history. Loosely put together, which gives a Great Feel of the scene for those Stuck Elsewhere, because of Age, Location, or Natural Selection! Beer! Pills! Loud Guitars! Many New unseen Pictures. Great Cast of Characters. This Book sits Nicely next to "We've got the Neutron Bomb" & "Forming" as Great History Books of the Wonderful LA Punk scene. Poseurs Note: Black clothing is Nice, but Wild Colors Look Much better in the Southern California Sunshine, when you are Stoned(I imagine)!
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