More Fun in the New World

The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk

By: John Doe, Tom Desavia

Narrated by: John Doe, Tom Desavia, Various

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Sequel to Grammy-nominated best seller Under the Big Black Sun, continuing the up-close and personal account of the LA punk scene

Picking up where Under the Big Black Sun left off, More Fun in the New World explores the years 1982 to 1987, covering the dizzying pinnacle of LA's punk rock movement as its stars took to the national - and often international - stage. Detailing the eventual splintering of punk into various sub-genres, the second volume of John Doe and Tom DeSavia's west coast punk history portrays the rich cultural diversity of the movement and its characters, the legacy of the scene, how it affected other art forms, and ultimately influenced mainstream pop culture. The book also pays tribute to many of the fallen soldiers of punk rock, the pioneers who left the world much too early but whose influence hasn't faded.   

As with Under the Big Black Sun, the book features stories of triumph, failure, stardom, addiction, recovery, and loss as told by the people who were influential in the scene, with a cohesive narrative from authors Doe and DeSavia. Along with many returning voices, More Fun in the New World weaves in the perspectives of musicians Henry Rollins, Fishbone, Billy Zoom, Mike Ness, Jane Weidlin, Keith Morris, Dave Alvin, Louis Pérez, Charlotte Caffey, Peter Case, Chip Kinman, Maria McKee, and Jack Grisham, among others. And renowned artist/illustrator Shepard Fairey, filmmaker Allison Anders, actor Tim Robbins, and pro-skater Tony Hawk each contribute chapters on punk's indelible influence on the artistic spirit.   

In addition to stories of success, the book also offers a cautionary tale of an art movement that directly inspired commercially diverse acts such as Green Day, Rancid, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco, and Neko Case. Listeners will find themselves rooting for the purists of punk juxtaposed with the MTV-dominating rock superstars of the time who flaunted a "born to do this, it couldn't be easier" attitude that continued to fuel the flames of new music. More Fun in the New World follows the progression of the first decade of LA punk, its conclusion, and its cultural rebirth.

Read by John Doe and Tom Desavia, with Dave Alvin, Allison Anders, Charlotte Caffey, Peter Case, Shepard Fairey, Norwood Fisher, Pleasant Gehman, Terry Graham, Sid Griffin, Jack Grisham, Tony Hawk, Chip Kinman, Maria McKee, Angelo Moore, W.T. Morgan, Chris Morris, Keith Morris, Mike Ness, Louie Peréz, Tim Robbins, Henry Rollins, Jane Wiedlin, Annette Zilinskas, and Billy Zoom

Cover Photograph © Laura Levine 

©2019 John Doe, Tom Desavia (P)2019 Random House Audio

Amazing Story Telling!

I loved this audio book! Maria McKee, and John Doe story telling is spot on! MUST LISTEN!

Awesome.

Just as good as Under the Big Black Sun. More than musicians contributing which was interesting.

Loved it!

Great book! loved the music included as well! the authors reading their own chapters really made it for me!

Amazing

It’s so great to hear most of your favorite artists, musicians, actors, and directors of your favorite movies tell their tales of the same punk scene that you never knew they were a part of.
How most of them we’re friends, too.

Could not be better.

I lived in Southern California during these years, and spent a lot if time in LA. I was an avid music fan, and of X and many of the musicians in this book. thank you John Doe and company for honoring this time in music history.

Love it

I hope all theseartists will tour together. Come to Chattanooga at least. Their narration of the book was really cool. I am ready for the next book.. Book 3.

My brother was there. One of the fallen soldiers

I really enjoyed this book. John Doe has taken a clear non-syrupy, sentimental, first hand reflection and created a history book.
My brother was part of the scene at that time and chronicled the moment through photography.
Though my brother, Dave is now, since 2015, passed on.
His contribution and archival footage, of which I possess.
states that it wasn't a waste of time, film or concept. It was a feverish passion.
He brought me to many shows in L.A, NYC, San Francisco, New Haven, and many other cities. My memories of those times and events were brought to light in this great book. Oh yeah, by the way, ALPHABETLAND IS A MASTERPIECE of continuum.
Thanks John.

Great but not as good as the first volume

You’ll love it if you loved any of that music and those times. Not as gripping as the first volume, but still fascinating tales.

So many great angles on the era.

It's worth the price of the book--it's worth the price of your last car--just for the Jack Grisham chapter/rant.

But much of the rest is fascinating too. Doe is a great storyteller and a great curator of the viewpoints of others.... just like he is in the first book. Having everyone read their own chapter is perfect.

Fun / informative / thoughtfull

I was in my late teens in the early 80's and was in North Carolina ... Didn't know much about the history but loved the music