Punk rock ruined my life

Name: Punk rock ruined my life
Brand: Manchester University Press
Price: 54.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder

And other stories

By: John Robb

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Hardcover | 7 July 2026

At a Glance

Hardcover
378 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.4 x 14.9 x 4.0

Hardcover

RRP $76.99

$54.99

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Available: 7th July 2026

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The irresistible story of a one-man cultural phenomenon.

Minister for the Counterculture, Mancunian mainstay and alternative national treasure John Robb has lived a life in music. In this book he charts his adventures on the cultural frontline, chronicling the making of a DIY icon.

Robb's quest began in his hometown of Blackpool where punk was a battle against the odds and went international when he toured the world with his band. The first person to interview Nirvana, he also discovered The Stone Roses for weekly newspaper Sounds and did early interviews with The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Manics, before moving on to legends such as Mark E. Smith, Nick Cave and Patti Smith. Along the way, he became an on-screen commentator and author of bestselling books.

Robb's memoir tells of deep friendships with figures from Poly Styrene to Chris Packham. Packed with riotous stories, it provides an alternative account of British musical and cultural history and a triumphant blueprint for a punk rock life.

'John Robb writes about music and culture with the insight of someone who loves it from the outside and lives it from the inside.' Johnny Marr

Industry Reviews

'A searcher and a true believer in the magic and power of music. Part of the Manchester music skyline and I'll fight anyone who tells me I'm wrong. If you know, you know...'
Noel Gallagher, musician

'John Robb writes about music and culture with the insight of someone who loves it from the outside and lives it from the inside.'
Johnny Marr, musician

'Punk rock may have ruined John Robb's life, but his writings have been like oxygen to me ever since he started. A case of his pain, our gain - and I'm forever grateful. This is a treasure trove of bands found and lost, wracked geniuses, greasy gigs, rumbles and fumbles and moments of bliss. Punk may have ruined one of John's lives, but he has lived many. All power to him!'
Ian Rankin, novelist

'John Robb. OG.'
Mary Anne Hobbs, DJ and journalist

'Clever, witty, eloquent and so weird - he's like the brother I never had.'
Chris Packham, broadcaster

'John Robb puts into words how transformative punk rock can be for entire generations of small-town artists and outsiders. Thank God it ruined all our lives. Behold the Gospel according to John Robb, who intentionally sacrificed his life at the altar of punk rock.'
Holly Ross, musician

'John Robb is beyond a Punk Potpourri. Musician, journalist, spoken wordsmith - like as sharp as a northern steely sword! This book is an essential read for anyone that punk touched... and fifty years later, John, the real truth is it made yr life!'
Gavin Friday, musician

'John Robb has been a witness to some of the greatest cultural moments of our time. This book is filled with touching humanity, sharp humour and jaw-dropping episodes from a turbulent, tartan-braided life of art, music and pop culture.'
Aideen Barry, artist

'If you want to feel like a filthy fly on the filthy flyposted wall of dark, deafening basement bars and inhale the most pungent, most hilarious descriptions of alternative Blackpool and beyond, then bounce your eyeballs around on this beauty. John's intense and often philosophical journey from punk's birth to the present day is outstanding.'
David Thewlis, actor and filmmaker

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