Tony Rettman is a freelance music journalist dedicated to the raw and uncompromising facets of the music scene. His work, featured in prominent publications, unearths the authenticity and spirit of underground artists. Through his writing, Rettman offers readers a glimpse into the heart of alternative music, where passion meets reality. His editorial contributions and zine work establish him as a voice resonant with the history and present of music subculture.
With a foreword by Freddy Cricien of Madball, who made his stage debut with Agnostic Front at age 7, NYHC slams the pavement with savage tales of larger-than-life characters and unlikely feats of willpower. The gripping and sometimes hilarious narrative is woven together like the fabric of New York itself from over 100 original interviews with members of the key bands of the era of New York Hardcore.
Exploring the straight edge hardcore punk movement of the 1980s, this book delves into its unique sound, visual style, and the adoption of vegetarianism among its followers. It examines the evolution of the movement as its "don't drink, don't smoke" ethos spread globally, highlighting the challenges adherents faced in defining their ideals and boundaries. The narrative also addresses the emergence of a militant fringe, shedding light on one of the most resilient yet often misunderstood youth subcultures in music history.