Private School Punk

By: Erik Talkin

Narrated by: Luke Walrath, full cast

FULL CAST AUDIOBOOK WITH MUSIC AND EFFECTS!

THE STORY London in the year 1976, a place and a time desperate for change. Chris, a 17 year old expat American Air Force brat is shoved into the alien world of a British private (public) school. A gifted classical cellist, Chris struggles to reconcile the focus on form, control and technique with being increasingly drawn into the vortex of raw, rebellious energy that is the punk movement. It allows him to let out pain that has been held in too long. He meets Johnny Rotten and is inspired to start his own band. When Chris is drawn into a deadly conflict with an abusive teacher, his only weapon is his music. He used to think music changed nothing, but now he discovers that music changes everything.

THE PRODUCTION Twenty five voice actors in ten different countries combined their talents to epic results. This immersive production includes cinematic sound design and original incidental music to enhance your quality listening experience (and to drop you right into the loud, dirty, smelly London of 1976) OVER NINE HOURS OF PUNKY GOODNESS The original soundtrack is available on Bandcamp and at privateschoolpunk.com

©2024 Erik Talkin (P)2025 Erik Talkin

Critic reviews

Nominated for 2026 SOVAS (Society of Voice Arts and Sciences) AWARD for Best Narration (Teen Fiction)

Totally Original

The author brings listeners into a world that is like no other, and yet at the same time is totally relatable. You’re immediately invested in Chris’s journey as he navigates the slings and arrows of an all-boys school. A true coming-of-age story that builds tension and raises the stakes in every chapter. The writing is studded with wit and the metaphors are razor sharp. Then there’s the immersive experience of sound, music and effects, which are added with a light touch, just enough to enhance without overwhelming the narration. Great listen!

It's a blast!

Private School Punk kicks in like an aggressive beat on a bass drum that sets up the entrance of a snarling guitar. Everything works. The characters are wisecracking and alive. The songs grab you with clever lyrics. The setting crackles with all the social change that young people know they need to bring to the world. But best of all, Private School Punk inspires you to think about how art - specifically music - changes lives. Chris figures out we can make things to share with others and those things can be wise or trashy -- or both!  But whichever they are, they can make us more alive. And sharing our aliveness with other people helps them too. Private School Punk is a master class on how music and art can make both us and the world better. The characters are real. The energy is palpable. And finding your purpose in the clanging chords of liberation is what it’s all about.

Up The Punks!

This audiobook is as expertly written and performed as the classical music our expat protagonist Chris Valentine is familiar with before he discovers the wild magical abandon and enthusiasm of Punk Rock. A highly infectious and enjoyable read from start to finish.

Up The Punks!

This audiobook is as expertly written and performed as the classical music our expat protagonist Chris Valentine is familiar with before he discovers the wild magical abandon and enthusiasm of Punk Rock. A highly infectious and enjoyable read from start to finish.

Great characters

Great story, easy listening, the music track really brings it to life. Would love to have been part of the punk scene