My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts & Glory

by Roger Miret, Jon Wiederhorn (With)

One of  Pitchfork 's Favorite Music Books of 2017 "A frank appraisal of a life filled with mistakes, triumphs, and the transcendentalism of the stage." ― Pitchfork "Miret’s memorable, affecting stories capture an important time in the hardcore music scene. . . . Equal parts music memoir and gritty coming-of-age story, it’s an eminently readable and fast-paced look at life during hardcore’s heyday. . . . Not just for music fans, My Riot is a valuable snapshot of an important time. " ― Foreword Reviews “The most wild, sincere, honest book I’ve ever read. Roger holds nothing back and delivers jaw-dropping story after story that you would see in a movie. . . . You won't be able to put it down.” ― Suburban Rebels "Fan or not, My Riot is a great look back at a singular time in musical history, written from a very singular perspective, and it was almost impossible to put down." ― Midnight to Six "Reading Miret's memories of the scene's early violent years was enthralling. . . . Despite its unflinching style, the memoir also carries a lighter tone in parts, especially any stories revolving around Miret's musical partner in crime, Agnostic Front guitarist Vinnie Stigma." ― No Echo “Roger gave a voice to the voiceless and has lived the life he sung about. This book is incredible! I couldn’t put it down.” ―Lars Frederiksen, Rancid “ My Riot is a powerful and riveting read. A brutal look into the life of a man that did what he had to do to survive.” ―Scott Ian, Anthrax “Hardcore has a code of honor that never wavers. Roger’s character and loyalty are only outweighed by the fire in his heart and his dedication to the cause.” ―Jerry Only, Misfits "This is raw, powerful and intense reading! I can't put it down! Highly recommend grabbing this book when you can, but be prepared it ain't pretty!" ―Jesse Leach, Killswitch Engage “It's a great read, tracing the roots of New York Hardcore via lots of crazy stories about potentially deadly situations. . . . Pick up this book & take a walk back in time through the Lower East Side when it was still a hair-raising adventure.” ―D. Randall Blythe, Lamb of God Gangs of New York meets Mean Streets in this gripping memoir about surviving the treacherous 1980s Lower East Side and finding refuge and a life in music. My Riot is the definitive insider account of the birth of the volatile New York Hardcore scene. With Roger Miret as front man, legendary band Agnostic Front’s focused fury and aggression defined the times. Born in Cuba, Miret fled with his family to the US to escape the Castro regime. Through vivid language and graphic details, he recounts growing up in a strange new land with a tyrannical stepfather and the roles that poverty and violence played in shaping the grit that became critical to his survival. In his teen years, he finds himself squatting in abandoned buildings with unforgettably eccentric runaways and victims of similar childhood trauma. With like-minded misfits he helps pioneer a new musical genre, but with money scarce and commercial success impossible, he turns to running drugs to support his family and winds up in prison. It’s the ultimate test of his toughness and perseverance that eventually sets him on a path towards redemption. My Riot is both an unflinching portrait of downtown New York in the 1980s and a testament to the perils of growing up too fast. Forewords by Al Barr of the Dropkick Murphys and Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed Roger Miret is a pioneer of the New York Hardcore scene. The Cuban-born singer joined Agnostic Front in 1983, and the seminal group released classics like United Blood , Victim In Pain and Cause For Alarm over the next several years. Miret also fronts his own solo group, Roger Miret and The Disasters. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jon Wiederhorn is the author of Louder Than The Definitive Oral History of Metal (with Katherine Turman) and the co-author of The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen (with Al Jourgensen) and I'm the The Story of That Guy from Anthrax (with Scott Ian). He has written for Rolling Stone , SPIN , MTV, Guitar World and Revolver , among others. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Punk, Autobiography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 29, 2017

Reviews

[Steve Rabideau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best and most interesting autobiographies I've ever read. This isn't your usual rock star tale of going hungry for a little while then becoming a millionaire and telling stories of excess. This is a book by a legend who has literally bled for his music.
Roger Miret is a legend in the Hardcore and Punk communities and rightfully so. His story is wild and crazy. This book is well written and a quick read. You don't have to be a fan of Agnostic Front to enjoy it. This is just as much a book about struggling to survive in gritty 1980's New York, the life of an immigrant trying to belong and a father doing whatever he can to provide for his family.
If you are reading because you're an Agnostic Front fan, there is plenty here for you, Roger chronicles their whole discography and the events surrounding it. If you're reading because you want a great story on an interesting man, there is plenty here also. Would definitely recommend.

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a hardcore band I went to see at CBGB, Ritz and others places. I didn't know these guys personally but saw them around. I truly connected to their anger and energy.

The book reminded me of the old New York. People new to NYC will never understand those old days and the insanity. Crackheads, hookers, junkies, tagging kids, stripped cars on blocks, burned out buildings, etc.

I give Roger credit for being open about many things he endured. Life has really kicked him in the balls but he keeps going. You have to respect that.

It took a ton of courage to be this open.

I am glad to he survived and am giving him 5 stars for it.

Overall, is one of the best rock books I have read. It would make a great Netflix mini series.

[Juan Gallardo Ivanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una mirada íntima al corazón del NYHC

Agnostic Front era parte de los muchos compilados piratas y pasados vía mano que te daban tus amigotes cuando estabas buscando música parecida a la que salía en los juegos de Tony Hawk, Matt Hoffman y David Mirra, entre otros. Los que sabían (o decían saber) siempre coincidían que AF era uno de los padres de la escena neoyorquina del Hardcore y mientras aquí en Chile teníamos bandas que con distintos resultados trataban de emular a estos ídolos, ellos pasaban por varios cambios para hacer de su música un hito único.
En lo personal, no fue hasta que hice la práctica que aprecié la música de este grupo y fue básicamente por las limitaciones tecnológicas de la época (un reproductor MP3 con poco espacio). Debo haber escuchado el disco Warriors completo por lo menos 2 veces al día durante casi dos meses. Después con el correr de los años pude escuchar los otros discos y tengo varias canciones favoritas por ahí ("Crucified", "Warriors", "For my family", "Your Mistake", "Gotta go", etc).
Cuando vi el libro en amazon, pensé que sería interesante leer sobre Roger Miret y tras una agridulce sesión con Lords of Chaos, de un estilo musical que no domino y que leí más por curiosidad acerca de sus mitos; creí que estaba listo para sumergirme en las oscuras calles de NYC de a principios de los '80. No lo estaba pero lo disfruté.
Nuestro recorrido inicia con Roger y su niñez difícil, marcada por las privaciones y la violencia en su familia. El pequeño Roger forjó su carácter con altas dosis de golpizas y sentirse diferente por ser inmigrante.
Las cosas darían paso a una afición a la música ruidosa, la poca tolerancia a las reglas y la autoridad y al caos de abusar de drogas y alcohol. En dicho contexto, Roger encontrará que su afición es una vocación y tras pasar por bandas con menos éxito, formará parte de AF. Con la popularidad llegará algo de fama y envidia; las cosas se le pondrán de color hormiga para Roger con nuevas exigencias de la vida misma. Así este libro recoge las anécdotas más diversas de la escena y de su vida. Éstas consiguen hacer reír, llorar y reflexionar al lector.
Puedo decir que disfruté del libro y que está ultra recomendado para quiénes quieran saber de esta historia de superación y de entrega a un movimiento. Las memorias de Roger son entretenidas y atrapantes, aunque a veces él pueda ser muy directo, violento y en ocasiones muy poco pensante sobre las consecuencias de sus actos. Un personaje muy complejo y multidimensional sobre quién vale mucho la pena leer.
Desafortunadamente, sólo está en inglés pero tampoco es muy difícil.

[Serge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh well man,this was brutal to say at least. Not that I was expecting some highbrow exploration of New York Hardcore as musical phenomena.I knew what I was getting myself into- and it definitely delivered. Blood soaked, gritty memoir of a frontman from the most infamous DMS related gang. Some of the confessions are pretty shocking and borderline gory. NY was never a safe haven, I know.
But one of the passages literally brought shivers down my spine and made me feel like I was watching Lucio Fulci movie . I’m referring to that scene in the very beginning where Miret witnessed eye popping out of a man’s socket during the club fight. I witnessed a lot of violence in my hardcore punk days but even I was not prepared for this. Oh well I guess it was another day in New York.
Beside that it’s overall an interesting read and my faded love to this kind of music resurfaced with a strong passion. I blew the dust from my “Cause for alarm” record and dropped the needle on the vynil and “Eliminators” sounded like it never did before!It was a good and somewhat nostalgic experience-listening to that 80s sound that could be copied today but never matched to its spirit. For better or for worse.

What else can I say? Roger Miret was like New York itself -beyond grey concrete and overwhelming exterior - there is soul and character to it, I’m glad he captured the chronicle of NYHC and his life in this book. Its worth it.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and this guy! Roger is the epitome of someone who has faced adversity, learned from it & remains kind, humble, open, honest & fierce, as you will learn as he allows you into very personal parts of his life in this book. It was a fascinating read. Roger's vivid memories brought back many of my own from the LES scene of the 80's. It's an honor to know him, then & now and I am thrilled for his continued success!

[Jason Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 sittings on the beach! A must read for any NYHC/ music fan. Roger does not hold back telling his ups, downs, and everything in between about his life and career. I've seen Agnostic Front live many, many times, and they never disappoint, and neither does this book. READ it NOW!

[Milos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book, a lot of informations about early NYHC scene. Very easy for reading and straight to the point.

[Pete Judge · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent book about a man who has had an interesting life. if you’re vaguely into Agnostic Front then i’d recommend

[Sladjana Kovacevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY RIOT-AGNISTIC FRONT,GRIT,GUTS & GLORY-ROGER MIRET with Jon Wiederhorn
✒️"We don’t like to follow anything, even ourselves."
✒️"We’ve always been anti-war, anti-religion and anti-society, but pro-individual. We’ve never put down any other races or ethnicities. From the start, we welcomed anyone who wanted to be a part of what we were doing. I was Cuban for Christ’s sake—far from the image of the blond-haired, blue-eyed Aryan Übermensch."
✒️"Today, I think differently. I have kids. I don’t want to live too fast and I’m too old to die young. "
✒️"It took a lot to become the man that I am today.
But inside, I’m still that rebel. I still think a little bit differently. If I really wanted to take a stand against McDonald’s or make a political statement today, I wouldn’t throw a garbage can through a window. I’d approach it differently. I’d wait until the evening, put a little glue in the lock of the front door and put a toothpick in the key hole."
❣️Iskreno i beskompromisno,Miret diktira svoju autobiografiju isto kao što piše pesme. Direktno i bez foliranja.
❣️Od nasilnog detinjstva,snalaženja na ulicama Njujorka,spavanja po skvotovima,preko zatvora do ljubavi o dece-ovo je priča o porodici. O bendu kao porodici,ali i o porodici iz koje smo potekli i o porodici koju sami stvaramo.
❣️Tu su,naravno,opisane i sve faze kroz koje je bend prošao,anegdote s turneja,saradnici i sve što jedna hardcore biografija treba da ima.
❣️Iznad svega-ovo je priča o opstajanju i trajanju.
❣️Jedva čekam 20.jun i možda priliku da knjigu nabavim i u fizičkom izdanju ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#7sensesofabook #myriot

[Ian Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, I read it in two days almost without stopping. Written by Roger Miret, the singer of one of my favourite hardcore bands, Agnostic Front. It tells his story of immigrating from Cuba and growing up in a violent family that eventually left him on the streets of early 80s New York City. Miret is rightly described as one of the godfathers of New York hardcore. He was on the ground level when the scene began at venues like A7, Max's Kansas City, and of course, CBGB. He describes what life was like living in squats (abandoned apartments) in NYC's notorious Lower East Side. Life was filled with violence, drugs, and music. The whole book is littered with legendary bands and figures like Raybeez, Vinnie Stigma, Jimmy Gestapo, and the rest; literally a who's who of New York hardcore. The stories in here are at times entirely insane.
But there is also a strong redemption theme in the book as Miret has a child and gets married just before being imprisoned for drug dealing. The prison stories are unreal. Having a child really impacts him and slowly, through his own maturation and the strength of his band, he moves his way out of the "riot" of his life and establishes himself as one of the great figures of American music. Iconic is an over-used word, but it's appropriate for Miret. But as iconic as his stature is, he seems like an approachable and likable kind of guy. I would love to meet him.
The book is written with a raw honesty, much like his music. I learned a lot not only about New York hardcore, but about life from Miret. I'm glad I read this.

[Mary Allegretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is “not my genre” of music, but after an intriguing sociology project led me to conduct qualitative research on the New York Hardcore scene, I came to understand how influential Agnostic Front is among the key players. After watching the Showtime documentary on the band, I learned that Roger Miret had written this memoir. He’s no literary genius, and despite having worked with a co-author, there are sections of prose that rely heavily on the same overused words and phrases, and the narrative barely makes an effort to follow some sort of timeline. Still, it’s raw and real, an account of what it’s like for a child of Cuban descent to come of age on the streets of New York’s LES in the early days of CBGBs. Miret suffered through quite a bit: domestic violence, extreme poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, prison, and many failed relationships. He makes explicit connections from these life events and his lyrics, but most importantly, he explains how the “brotherhood” of the NYHC scene helped him find his place in the world. Worth a read for any punk fan of the 80s and 90s.

[Daniel Hipkiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Agnostic Front and I've been fortunate enough to meet Roger a couple of times, however I really just don't get along with music biographies. Though this is one of the better ones.

As a fan of the band I'd have preferred more in depth stories of each AF album and subsequent tours. I understand Roger telling his story but let's be fair now most of these biographies are the same. Messed up childhood, drugs, struggling to make ends meet, landmark achievements, drugs, some trouble/rehab, straightening out their lives and musical career regains momentum. That's every Rock/metal/punk autobiography summed up.

That being said, reading about the early NYHC scene is fascinating and Rogers writing reads ever so easily.

Highly recommend you watch the Godfathers of Hardcore documentary or read NYHC by Tony Rettman over this.

[Shane Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Much more detailed and structurally a better book than Harley Flannegan's though I enjoyed both. It painted a pretty vivid picture of that old NYHC scene with some awesome stories.

[Jeff B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a memoir by the singer of a New York hardcore-punk band named Agnostic Front. It's a punk rock memoir, but also a memoir about growing up a poor immigrant, a prison memoir, and a memoir about being strung out and homeless. It's a captivating read. I gave this book 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5 stars). Here are my thoughts:

1. I consider myself a fan of Agnostic Front, but not a super-fan. I've always respected them and considered them the spiritual center of the New York Hardcore Scene of the '80s. I really like their first album and have all their albums, but I like many other New York Hardcore albums more by bands such as Cro-Mags & Warzone. Agnostic Front gets a lot of points for longevity. They continue to put out albums, and good ones at that, to this day. Few bands are able to do that. I guess what I'm saying is that you don't need to be a super-fan to enjoy this book. I think you could maybe even love this book without even knowing who Agnostic Front are, though I'm not sure.

2. While not required, I think having a basic knowledge of Agnostic Front-adjacent bands really adds to the enjoyment of this book - bands like Warzone, Cro-Mags, Murphys Law, Nausea, and Madball. I only know the most basic of things about Nausea and Madball, but it was enough.

3. While the book is hard to put down (as it's so captivating), many parts are also hard to read. There are plenty of what the kids these days would call "trigger warnings". Lots of child abuse he experienced as a poor immigrant. Lots of graphic violence and gang wars (in prison and outside the shows). There's a fair share of toxic masculinity. There's even dog fighting in one part, though Roger never condones it. Roger is often a jerk and a thug, though you get the impression he's often trying to do the right thing by his own code of honor. Like he starts running drugs to help support his very-young child. Stuff like that.

4. When reading about his young, poor mom on welfare, I was really curious about what he was going to say about Agnostic Front's most infamous song, Public Assistance. The song is pretty racist and kind of about what Reagan would call "welfare queens" or whatever. I couldn't wait to see what he said about that song. I expected a full-throated defense or a mea culpa, but instead it was a weird mix of saying he wasn't really involved in that record too much and that the song was about the "other people" - not the ones that need it. Kind of lame, but in any case, it is a catchy song.

5. I read all these punk rock memoirs - love them. There is a lot of overlap between this book and The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon and Harley Flanagan: A Hardcore Life of My Own. That makes sense as they were part of the same scene. But it's kind of cool as you see these same events from different angles. We also get very different stories about the singer of Warzone (RIP) from different books that together paint a fuller picture of this amazing dude. I guess I'm saying if you're a fan, a little redundancy isn't so bad. Another funny thing that happens in so many of these memoirs is they go to see some band they never heard of, and it ends up being the Bad Brains - and they're completely blown away. I love the Bad Brains.

Much like the band Agnostic Front, this book is raw and violent, but with heart. I've always thought it would be cool to be able to go to those early shows, but after reading this book, I'm not so sure. I'll use my time machine for something else and just read about those crazy shows from the safety of 2021.

[Jim Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to see Agnostic Front tonight, borrowed this from a friend to get me in the mood for the show. Saw them once before years ago, loved them. Reading this, I can't help but feel tonight's show will be even better... the book makes you feel connected to the music, makes it meaningful on different levels.

This is a good book, but it was tough because it automatically begs for comparisons to John Joseph's "Evolution of a Cro-Magnon," the other great early-days-of-NYHC memoir. John Joseph's book is one of my favorite books of all time, led me to make some fairly significant changes in my life the day after I put it down, and so the comparison is a little unfair to Miret's book. Both books tell the story of a childhood filled with horrifying abuse and poverty, an adolescence filled with squatting and homelessness and drugs and violence, of finding a community in the hardcore scene. Both show how the love of the music and the ideas behind the music led to personal growth, to becoming a "man" in some meaningful way. Miret's book mostly leaves it on the personal level; Joseph's goes on to tell the story of activism and outreach and spirituality, of feeding the homeless, going back into the prisons to mentor a younger generation, of animal rights activism, and so on. For me, that makes John Joseph's book inspiring.

But that shouldn't sound like a criticism of Miret's book. It's damn good. It's an exciting read. There are some horrible, horribly stories that make you shake your head and want to slap the shit out of young Roger, and there are some stories that make you laugh out loud.

I'm looking forward tonight, excited to see these no-longer-young guys put on their show.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best music biographies I’ve read. Roger tells and unbelievable tale of his very rough upbringing, his squatting in New York while recording Agnostic Front’s classic first EP and album, the birth of the New York City Hardcore scene, Roger’s arrest and prison sentence, Roger’s release from prison and struggle to be a good father, his return to the hardcore scene and struggles as a scene he helped create had grown apart from him while he was imprisoned, and his return to Agnostic Front and balancing a career as an electrician with his career as a musician.

This book touched me in a way few biographies have, Roger presents the information so raw that it feels like a therapy session at times. There were parts of the book where I was frustrated with him and then rooting for him by the end of the book. Roger presents some of the most realistic portrayals of living on the streets, going to prison, and the disconnect one feels when returning to society from a correctional facility that I have ever read. Roger utilizes skills he used in prison to become a productive member of society, but is very honest about his struggles to separate himself from the people and life he knew prior to his arrest.

You often read about the punk rock community being like a family, Roger paints this picture well, detailing his ups and downs with members of the community and giving a very honest account of seeing how the hardcore scene had changed while he was away. This is one of those music biographies that is easy to recommend to anyone whether they are familiar with the music or not. If you’re a Agnostic Front fan, you will likely love this book, if want to read a real human story about with unbelievable depiction of struggle and triumph ,you will enjoy the book as well.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming from another country and not being able to speak a lick of English and being forced to build traps to catch pigeons so your (working poor) parents can make a soup to feed the family? Yeah… that’s definitely going to add fuel to the fire to help you become a successful singer in one of the all-time classic NYHC bands.

I gotta be honest – I was never a fan of Agnostic Front (early Cro-Mags and Token Entry were more my thing) but I’m a sucker for all the punk and hardcore-related books and this one is dynamite. Countless insane stories and memories on almost every page.

Now if you don’t mind – I need to devour Agnostic Front's ‘Victim in Pain’ (11 songs in under 14 minutes) to really appreciate Miret’s book.

“We didn’t care if we wrecked him. He deserved a beating. I don’t know if the guy walked away. It was street justice, hardcore-style.”

“We were living the turmoil of the music, mired in the filth, muck and blood of the street, not sitting in a vacuumed office thinking we were hard because we turned up the volume on records we got for free.”

[The Book Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roger Miret's My Riot is a no-holds-barred exploration of a life lived on the edge. This unflinching memoir offers a brutally honest look into the world of hardcore punk, from its gritty origins to its global impact.

Miret's raw storytelling pulls readers into the heart of the New York City underground, painting a vivid picture of a time and place that shaped a generation. His candid reflections on personal struggles, triumphs, and the unwavering spirit of rebellion are both captivating and inspiring.

Beyond the music, this is a testament to resilience and the power of human connection. Miret's journey is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but his unwavering determination to overcome adversity shines through on every page. This book is a must-read for fans of hardcore punk and anyone seeking a truly authentic and unforgettable story.

My Riot is more than just a memoir; it's a punk rock anthem in prose.

[FB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I thought AF was a group of violent, ignorant, and unintelligent guys, but after reading the book, I rhink they are a group of violent, ignorant, and unintelligent guys. Miret is certainly no Ian McKaye, Jello Biafra, or Sam McPheeters. At least, he's not a scumbag like Harley Flanagan. At a certain point, the book becomes boring and is too long. Dave Dictor's autobiography is half as long and twice as interesting! Miret's political analysis is puerile, and his views blatantly conformist. Although the writing is flat and boring, with dozens of unnecessary dialogues, I think the main problem with this book isn't the biography, but the life itself. The best parts are the chapters on life in prison. It's certainly not the best book about hardcore punk you'll ever read.

[Mark Tolch · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of great autobiographies out by hardcore personalities at this time, but there's no doubt that Cuban-born immigrant Roger "Rogelio" Miret takes the prize for the best one. Literate, but still gritty, this book doesn't shy away from the squalor of the early squat-bound NYHC scene, of which Agnostic Front were no doubt one of the trailblazers.

Alternating between fantastic road stories and tales of hanging on the LES and his struggle with addictions while trying to be a family man, Roger also takes the reader into his drug bust and time in jail, avoiding the typical urge to glamourize or glorify any of it.

The book also features a number of great photos, and is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in music, but essential for fans of hardcore and Agnostic Front.

[RoboCrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the life story of Roger Miret, the lead singer for influential hardcore band Agnostic Front. From his rough and abusive upbringing to his seedy and violent life in New York's Lower East Side to his stint in federal prison, Roger maintains an impressive outlook. Roger will continually remind you throughout the book that this was a movement about unity not violence and inclusion not racism. Whether you are a fan of the band, the movement, or just punk history this is a great look into a chaotic and dangerous time for the hardcore scene.

[Mihai Stoenciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting stuff, but also very straightforward. It's always good to remember where these guys - the godfathers of NYHC, of which Miret is one - came from and to find out more about their amazing lives on and off stage. I'd recommend it to the fans of Agnostic Front or to fans o music in general. On the other hand it's more nuanced and I liked it better than Harley Flanagan's auto biography. All in all, a simple and interesting read for people who are "in the know".

[bassfunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one. very interesting.
Suprised there was very little about Amy Miret though. Personally I like Nausea better than Ag. Front. It must be hard when your girl friends hippie crust band is better, more aggressive and more punk than yours. lol :)
Cool war stories about early NY punk and NYHC scene . Good book altogether though. Enjoyed.

[Lori Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brutally honest gripping autobiography. Roger Miret does not shy away from the hard details of his childhood, drug use and mistakes he made. That’s what makes this book so real and that’s what makes his evolution so amazing. Set in the early days of NYHC in the old LES makes this a satisfying music history book as well.

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unflinching look back at an abusive childhood and teen years spent squatting in burned out apartment buildings in Alphabet City, while becoming the leader of Agnostic Front. The NYC punk and hardcore scene in the 1980s are discussed, and the ways a small group of artists moved from band to band in search of success.

[Trey Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

Great read and a killer history of the early NYHC scene. A definite must read for the youth of today.

[Cedric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thug life

[Jenalyn Russo-Unger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It's real, and honest. Roger takes you right into the NYHC scene beginnings. He's open and honest about his whole life and his whole story.

[Bruno Genaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One the best and most humble book in hardcore history!

[Carlos Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, it takes you back to the old hard core days