Publication date: 10.07.2026
£22.99
Further Information
Charting the history of punk and DIY scenes
from the 1970s to the present day.
Combines the life of a musician and a music
journalist who tapped into the cutting edge
of alternative music.
Packed with stories of well-known figures from the rock music scene.
Robb's is a life of facing down outsider struggles, overcoming career disappointments
and the DIY spirit that carried him through.
REVIEWS
'A searcher and a true believer in the magic and power of music.' - 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.
'A treasure trove of bands found and lost, wracked geniuses, greasy gigs, rumbles
and fumbles and moments of bliss.' - 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.
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.
from the 1970s to the present day.
Combines the life of a musician and a music
journalist who tapped into the cutting edge
of alternative music.
Packed with stories of well-known figures from the rock music scene.
Robb's is a life of facing down outsider struggles, overcoming career disappointments
and the DIY spirit that carried him through.
REVIEWS
'A searcher and a true believer in the magic and power of music.' - 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.
'A treasure trove of bands found and lost, wracked geniuses, greasy gigs, rumbles
and fumbles and moments of bliss.' - 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.
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.
