I just finished How To Ru(i)n A Record Label, Larry Livermore’s first-hand account of the rise and fall of legendary East Bay punk label Lookout Records, which he cofounded and, among many other bands, gave the world Green Day.
I’m not a massive nonfiction fan, but Livermore’s voice and brutally honest accounts of major and minor events made this a great read, not just for fans of pop punk music, but those who like a good story well told.
I was introduced to Lookout Records by my roommate at the start of my freshman year of college when he loaned me Energy by Operation Ivy. I couldn’t stop listening to it. It was my gateway to Green Day, Screeching Weasel, Mr. T Experience, Pansy Division, and so many more awesome bands.
I loved Lookout’s releases so much, it became one of two labels from which I would buy a new release even of I didn’t know the band. The other was 4AD, home of the Pixies.
And my love of the East Bay pop punk sound led to me see Green Day play a small club in Richmond, VA about a year before they signed with a major label. The second time I saw Green Day was last year at SoFi Stadium in L.A. Quite the change.
(It’s also worth mentioning Richmond, VA’s own Avail became one of the few non-East Bay bands on Lookout.)
Anyway, if you’re a music fan, an old punk, or just like a good memoir about a historic moment in music created by a handful of outcasts and misfits, check out the book.
