In the early 1990s, New York City–based Brannon began work on Anti-Matter
, an indie rock fanzine, and his canny timing enabled him to catch well-known acts like Elliott Smith, Rancid and Sick of It All at key points in their careers. But it's Brannon's skill as an interviewer that makes the book essential reading for fans of just-off-the-radar rock. Brannon's experience on the scene (in bands such as Shelter and Texas Is the Reason) serves him well, as artists treat him more like a friend than a journalist; he gets away with much more personal questions than most reporters would venture, proving several shades more illuminating than the average Q&A. Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine reveals how a two-faced journalist brought him to tears, Rob Fish of Resurrection speaks candidly about his mother's death, and Ian MacKaye offers a frank look at the intricacies of running influential independent record label Dischord. Also included are lesser-known bands that don't appear to have survived the decade: Endpoint, Garden Variety, Mouthpiece, Orange 9mm and others. Though Brannon assumes throughout that his audience is familiar with the artists profiled—he offers few introductions but does include a “recommended listening†appendix—fans of punk, hardcore and emo are sure to find previously hidden aspects of some favorite musicians revealed with tact and respect. (Nov.)
