The Most Interesting Man in the World

by Vinnie Stigma, Howie Abrams (primary_contributor), Roger Miret (foreword)

The Godfather of New York City hardcore and founding member of Agnostic Front invites you into his lower east side pad to regale you with tales from his extraordinary life among mobsters, punk rockers, and a bevy of iconic artists and personalities—none of whom is as interesting or fascinating as the inimitable Vinnie Stigma!Born Vincent Capuccio on December 3, 1955, Vinnie Stigma—as his countless friends and fans lovingly refer to him—is the founder and guitarist of New York City’s legendary hardcore band Agnostic Front. He’s also one of the Big Apple’s earliest punk rockers, having frequented such eclectic downtown haunts as Max’s Kansas City, The Electric Circus, and of course, CBGB while it was still known as Hilly’s on the Bowery during the early 1970s. The Most Interesting Man in the World stretches from Vinnie’s upbringing in Little Italy amongst the tight-knit Italian families, as well as some prominent wiseguys, to teaming up with Cuban-born vocalist Roger Miret to carry punk’s angrier successor across the globe; from no-show jobs in his youth obtained by people who “protected” him, to lighting up some of the world’s biggest stages. However, Vinnie Stigma is not your run-of-the-mill rocker of many decades. He has dabbled in cooking, professional wrestling, acting, martial arts, yoga, and other creative disciplines. He is a father and a cancer survivor who helped pioneer skinhead and tattoo culture in America, and has mentored hundreds of fledgling musicians and artists. Vinnie insists he is an entertainer first and foremost, which he learned from his childhood idols Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, and Frank Sinatra. Featuring vintage photos throughout, a handful of signature Italian recipes, even a four-page comic book and crossword puzzle, The Most Interesting Man in the World is a journey through a life unlike any other. No one sees or experiences the world quite like Vinnie Stigma.

Genres: Music, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Stay Fetters · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you don’t believe in your own band or the music you are playing, I don’t have any use for you."

[Joel South · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid read from a solid guy from a solid band!

He truly is the most interesting man in the world!

[Ian Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas today and read it in one sitting, thoroughly enjoying every page. It is a memoir written by Vinnie Stigma (with the help of Howard Abrams), the legendary founding member and guitarist of the likewise legendary hardcore band from New York City: Agnostic Front. I've been a massive fan of Agnostic Front for as long as I can remember. Their music has really encouraged me in some difficult times. And not only have I been a fan of AF, I have been of Vinnie Stigma as well. I like his solo project, and I've watched a pile of interviews with him. I've also watched the outstanding documentary on Agnostic Front by Drew Stone called "The Godfathers of New York Hardcore." And so I feel like I have a sense of who he, and singer Roger Miret, are like -- really good guys. I read Roger's memoir, My Riot, a couple of years ago and likewise really enjoyed it. Both books tell the story of the beginnings of the New York hardcore scene in the early 80s with bands like Murphy's Law, Warzone, AF, and the Cro-Mags. Indeed, I read Harley Flanagan of the Cro-Mag's memoir, Hard-Core, a couple of years ago, too. It's a mind-bending book, written in an almost stream-of-consciousness style, but another that I really appreciated and enjoyed. In fact, Vinnie's book is like a half-way point between Roger's and Harley's. Roger's almost feels like it's written by an historian who has catalogued and interpreted his life as part of a bigger story. Vinnie's is also very unique from the other two memoirs. In some senses it reads like a real Little Italy kind of mobster story, at other points cook book (he even has recipes for his favourite Italian dishes, which I'm totally going to try), and even like a fanzine with the way pictures are inserted and the kind of pictures in it. The book even has a Vinnie Stigma crossword puzzle! Amazing!
I've come away from reading this with two big thoughts: 1) Vinnie Stigma is a remarkably good human being. For all the aggressive music, the petty crime early in life, the intense tattoos, you can tell that he really likes people and wants to treat humans as humans. Over and over again he described himself as loving to make friends and wanting to help people. It's quite remarkable actually. He has this strange ethic of Old World Italian Catholicism--he talks about church almost immediately, and saints, including his own. It somehow informs his ethic and I think really shaped his humble personality. And 2), relatedly, Vinnie Stigma and Roger Miret have quite a wonderful friendship. These guys love each other like brothers and it's quite touching. To read these two men -- tattooed, crazy looking, etc. -- describe the genuine love they have for each other was really great. I love seeing those kinds of thick-and-thin friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
There's so much more that could be said about this book and about Stigma -- the WWF-style wrestling he did in NYC, his tattoo parlour, his culinary interests. While the title may oversell it a little, he's nevertheless quite interesting. I came away from this book surprisingly really encouraged.

[mol 🍂 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want an audiobook of this - obviously narrated by stigma - so badly. Just imagine it.

[Joseph Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

STIGMA!

[Benedetto M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The larger-than-life presence of Vincent Capuccio, more widely known as Vinnie Stigma, is hard to contain in this book. This will be no secret to any fan who buys a copy and I'm certain it will be clear to anyone else that might read it. Like Stigma in real life, this book is anything but ordinary and won't take long to read. It is engaging and exciting, especially if you've ever seen a video of Vinnie or heard recordings of him talking because the book is written as though he is in the room with you. There will likely be a critique at some point that the book isn't as polished as a traditional bio or memoir, but I think that would be missing the aim of the book as a whole. While I don't know Vinnie or Howie Abrams personally, I feel confident in saying that the aim was to present Vinnie's thoughts on life as honestly as possible with no polish in sight. A great read from beginning to end.

[Jason Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is called “The Most Interesting Man In The World” and there is no other title that could fit!
There are not enough good or proper words to describe how awesome Vinnie is!
He is NYHC.
He is The Godfather of Hardcore.
He is Agnostic Front.
And he is The Best. The best what you ask?
Just The BEST.
Congrats to Vinnie and Howie on the book.
If you do not know who Vinnie is, shame on you.
Read the book, go see AF live, you can thank me later!

[Mercedes Collarini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solo para fans. Muy divertido

[Juan Gallardo Ivanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great a complete account on Stigma’s mind

Wow, what a read! This book is the personal account of Vinnie “Stigma” lead guitarist of NYC Hardcore legend band Agnostic Front. Stigma will guide us on the travel of his life, with some of chapters dedicated to his many roles that he has had on the course of the years.
What really surprise me is that beyond the legend, Vinnie is pretty much a simple, but charming man who wants to fully embrace life as a experience. He is also a easy going guy, normally talking his way out of some situations that others will do with their fists. He wants to know and befriend people in order to get to know some other approachs and views.
It is a really fun read but it is also a piece of history on both New York’s and Hardcore itsels annals, as our Vinnie often recalls important episodes for both the city and the music style. Furthermore, the way that is written gives a familiar sensation as Vinnie felt so real. It is like a an old friend or mentor that you already haven’t met.
Hands down to a real, fun and important account that will be delighted by his NYC Hardcore fans but also for whom want to know more about a great guy on the scene.
Fot me it is 5/5.

[Blair Hoyle]

Incredible read! One of the most unique autobiographies I've ever read, with chapters comprised of recipes, comic book panels, and photos of the author sleeping... There's a crossword puzzle in this thing!

Furthermore, Stigma's rambling style where he will, mid-paragraph, go into a stream of consciousness ramble where he writes things like "I gotta call my friend Frankie. He's still alive." It gives the book a uniquely authentic vibe. There's a chapter dedicated exclusively to stories of Stigma and his friends getting drunken and embarking on insane adventures, and I could have used an entire book's worth of those.

If you have even a fleeting interest in early hardcore/Agnostic Front, this is an absolute must-read book.

[Billy Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its fun and short is what I'll say. The middle is the best part of this book and it has a lot of good stories and inner thoughts from the author. But at under 200 pages it feels like he just did it to say he did. Especially at the end of the book it feels like he really phoned it in with just a couple paragraphs on whatever topic happened to grab him in the moment or what the writer asked about. Filled with pictures but no info about them so I don't know what I'm looking at most of the time. You could finish this in a day but only do it if you're interested in the NY punk scene beginnings or Agnostic Front specifically.

[Joshua Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not going to give a bad rating to a memoir, it takes a lot for someone to open themselves up like that and Vinnie Stigma did it with ease. It seems as though Vinnie has always been a bit of an open book and a positive personality. Hearing of New York back in the day and how the music scene started shifting from punk to hardcore was a fun read. Vinnie throws in some recipes and even a cross word and really just writes in a way that feels like you’re sitting across the table hearing an excited dude share details of his life with you

[Robnrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was blessed to meet Stigma on two occasions. The two conversations I had with him are still burned in my memory banks. He was hysterical, incredibly warm and wildly entertaining. He regaled us with tales and jokes in his wonderful NY accent. This book is filled with a ton of heart and his trademark humour. There are not anywhere near enough unfailingly positive people in the world. We need more Vinnie Stigmas.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story. Never been a huge AF fan, but enjoyed them enough, especially Something’s Gotta Give.

But Vinnie rambled at times, and despite their being a co-author, who I would have helped put a narrative flow to the story, it was all over the place. I did this as an audiobook read by Vinnie which added some charm to it, though his stumbling over the words and sentences didn’t help the already choppy flow.

Still if you’re a fan of punk and hardcore biographies, this is a definite must.

[Jeffrey S. Kuehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of The Godfathers of hardcore giving us quick, fun retrospective of his life, philosophy, humor, recipes, family! Must read for all Agnostic Front fans!

[Stacy Czerwinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best memoir of 2024!!!

[Jon B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a hardcore icon still going strong. Seems like a great guy. Loved all the pictures too.

[Chris Coll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stigma forever

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Respect to this great Eyetalian American icon for sharing all of his family's recipes

[Tony Honan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Agnostic Front, then you’ll want to read this. It’s an ‘easy read’ and it will make you laugh out loud, and maybe shed a tear here and there.

[Sarah (Skele) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! it's like sitting down and chatting with Stigma & the odd bits like the kids story and photos are great.

[Anthony Schorr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stigma is great but is not a good writer.

[David Brinkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What guy, fun history, and a great way to look at things. It’s too bad NYC has changed so much, Vinnie represents the charm and nuances of one of the greatest cities to ever be.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

one hell of a guy

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, STIGMA 4LIFE!

[Christopher Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun quick read but doesn’t really tell anything new.

[Tristan Saltmarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Da fucking goat bruh,

But why can’t you add half stars coz this is 3.5 stars not 3.

[Orlando Velazco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiography that isn’t - pics, poetry and recipes. I can relate with the author’s POV on so many fronts (that was intentional); perhaps it’s a place and time thing. NYC in the 80s was rough but the scene that I stumbled upon in 1989 was always a great respite from the BS of daily life. Thanks for putting these words to paper. Side note: I started the book at JFK and finished it in Roma. Coincidence?