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  • Sellout

  • The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007)
  • By: Dan Ozzi
  • Narrated by: Chris Abell
  • Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17 ratings)

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Sellout cover art

Sellout

By: Dan Ozzi
Narrated by: Chris Abell
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"Ozzi's reporting is strong, balanced and well told...a worthy successor to its obvious inspiration, Michael Azerrad's 2001 examination of the '80s indie underground, 'Our Band Could Be Your Life.'"—New York Times Book Review

A raucous history of punk, emo, and hardcore’s growing pains during the commercial boom of the early '90s and mid-aughts, following eleven bands as they “sell out” and find mainstream fame, or break beneath the weight of it all

Punk rock found itself at a crossroads in the mid-'90s. After indie favorite Nirvana catapulted into the mainstream with its unexpected phenomenon, Nevermind, rebellion was suddenly en vogue. Looking to replicate the band’s success, major record labels set their sights on the underground, and began courting punk’s rising stars. But the DIY punk scene, which had long prided itself on its trademark authenticity and anti-establishment ethos, wasn’t quite ready to let their homegrown acts go without a fight. The result was a schism: those who accepted the cash flow of the majors, and those who defiantly clung to their indie cred.

In Sellout, seasoned music writer Dan Ozzi chronicles this embattled era in punk. Focusing on eleven prominent bands who made the jump from indie to major, Sellout charts the twists and turns of the last “gold rush” of the music industry, where some groups “sold out” and rose to surprise super stardom, while others buckled under mounting pressures. Sellout is both a gripping history of the music industry’s evolution, and a punk rock lover’s guide to the chaotic darlings of the post-grunge era, featuring original interviews and personal stories from members of modern punk’s most (in)famous bands:

  • Green Day
  • Jawbreaker
  • Jimmy Eat World
  • Blink-182
  • At the Drive-In
  • The Donnas
  • Thursday
  • The Distillers
  • My Chemical Romance
  • Rise Against
  • Against Me!
©2021 by Daniel Ozzi (P)2021 by HarperCollins Publishers

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Epic encounter of a crazy era

Absolute amazing insight to a amazing era in punk/emo/hardcore music scene. A win for the music literature lovers

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A must listen for any music fan

Fantastic book, can’t recommend this enough for anyone interested in music, even if you’re not a fan of the bands included. Dan does a great job of linking them all together which I didn’t expect either. Loved it.

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A magnificent insight

This was a great insight into the world of music I grew up on and loved. It’s make me appreciate even more the music they put out. It’s

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Great insight into some important bands

This book made me revisit many bands I hadn’t listened to for a long time, and with added insights, made me appreciate the music so much more.

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Epic history of music we love

Great backgrounds on sick bands and the scene from the days. Loved going into depth about it!

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