Orange County is known for so many things; fun and sun – and it is literally a mecca for the different. It is a destination place, for the world of music, it’s becoming a pilgrimage zone.
The OC has been exporting music to the world for decades. We gave the word the Righteous Brothers, Dick Dale. In more recent times Cold War Kids and Avenged Sevenfold. But The OC has also been the epicenter for two seismic shifts in the world of music.
The last one was the third wave of ska. It produced music industry juggernauts Reel Big Fish, The Aquabats, Save Ferris and No Doubt. Sandwiched between all those bands and genres was the world of punk rock.
Anyone in the know will tell you to be part of this community, it takes another state of mind. This genre is not for the mild mannered or Poppy GoLighty’s of the world.
I have been very-very lucky to have been immersed in this scene since the early ‘80s. I have seen just about every iteration of every evolution of the genre. It was those early days that really set the bar.
Despite there being great documentaries and books about punk rock in general, there hasn’t been one that was solely dedicated to The OC scene and how it exported this way of life to the world.
Fast forward to 2025: I have been waiting for some time to be able to talk about this. Over the past several years I have run into two guys at many of the punk shows and festivals I attend for the magazine. Each time, I got brought up to speed where they were on their “punk rock” project.
The Orange County upbringing for a lot of these bands is part of their identity and their music; it’s a part of them – no different than the tattoos that are on them for life.
NATE JACKSON
The guys were Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn. They were working on this epic piece of punk rock and the Oc. They would talk to all that made this scene a lifestyle and because they were their alongside many of the punk OG’s, this project took on a very legit feel.
I am pleased to announce that their project has been completed and it is ready to come to the masses.
The book covers it all, the good, the bad the ugly – from moments of despair and sadness, to the triumphs, social acceptance and mega-stardom.
Jackson and Kohn did it right, they took the time to not only know the material, but to walk the walk with the bands that made history.
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Stories will include conversations with Mike Ness of Social Distortion, Joe Escalante of The Vandals, and members of the bands that really matter in the genre; The Adolescence and Sublime and many surprises that will take you back in time so you’ll understand how bright the future rally is.
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You can catch Jackson and Kohn on May 28th at the Grammy Museum for a Q&A with Kat Corbett.
Along with Jackson and Kohn, you’ll be able to hear from legendary manager, Jim Guerinot, No Doubt’s Adiran Young and The Vandals Joe Escalante.
Tickets for that event are now available.
The book comes out May 20th, it will be available on all normal platforms. However, you can pre-order with a discount through Barnes and Noble.
If you are fan of music history, this is definitely the book you have been waiting for. It just might tell the story of your life!
