📖 Overview
Brendan Mullen (1949-2009) was a Scottish-born music promoter, nightclub owner, and author who played a pivotal role in shaping the Los Angeles punk rock scene. He is best known for founding The Masque, an influential punk rock club in Hollywood that operated from 1977 to 1979 and helped launch numerous prominent bands including X, The Go-Go's, and the Germs.
Born in Paisley, Scotland, Mullen began his career writing for British music magazines before moving to the United States in 1973. His most significant contribution to music history came in 1977 when he established The Masque in a Hollywood basement, initially conceived as a rehearsal space but quickly evolving into a crucial venue for the emerging punk scene.
After The Masque, Mullen continued to influence the Los Angeles music landscape through his work at various venues, including Club Lingerie. He later documented the scene he helped create through his writing, authoring several books about the Los Angeles punk movement and its key figures.
Mullen's impact on music extended beyond punk rock, as he provided early support to bands that would achieve mainstream success, most notably the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His contributions to music history were cut short when he passed away in Los Angeles in 2009, just days after his 60th birthday.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Mullen's raw, firsthand documentation of the LA punk scene, particularly in "We Got the Neutron Bomb" and "Lexicon Devil." His close relationships with musicians gave him access to intimate stories and details others missed.
Several reviews note his writing can be disorganized and rambling. Some readers found his recollections inconsistent with other historical accounts of the same events. Multiple reviews on Amazon mention the need for better editing and fact-checking.
What readers value:
- Detailed scene descriptions
- Personal anecdotes about key figures
- Rare photos and flyers
Common criticisms:
- Scattered narrative structure
- Too much focus on himself
- Writing quality varies
Ratings:
Goodreads:
"We Got the Neutron Bomb" - 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings)
"Lexicon Devil" - 4.3/5 (2,000+ ratings)
Amazon:
"We Got the Neutron Bomb" - 4.5/5 (90+ reviews)
"Lexicon Devil" - 4.6/5 (150+ reviews)
📚 Books by Brendan Mullen
We Got the Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of L.A. Punk (2001)
A comprehensive chronicle of the Los Angeles punk scene from 1977-1980, featuring first-hand accounts from musicians, artists, and scene figures.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History (2009) A detailed documentation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' history through interviews, photographs, and memorabilia, covering the band's formation through their Stadium Arcadium era.
Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and The Germs (2002) A biographical account of Germs frontman Darby Crash and his band's influence on the Los Angeles punk scene, told through interviews with band members and contemporaries.
Live at the Masque: Nightmare in Punk Alley (2007) A photographic and written documentation of Hollywood's The Masque club during its brief but influential existence from 1977-1979.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History (2009) A detailed documentation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' history through interviews, photographs, and memorabilia, covering the band's formation through their Stadium Arcadium era.
Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and The Germs (2002) A biographical account of Germs frontman Darby Crash and his band's influence on the Los Angeles punk scene, told through interviews with band members and contemporaries.
Live at the Masque: Nightmare in Punk Alley (2007) A photographic and written documentation of Hollywood's The Masque club during its brief but influential existence from 1977-1979.
👥 Similar authors
Legs McNeil - McNeil co-founded Punk magazine and wrote "Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk," which uses first-person accounts to document the early punk scene. His writing style and direct involvement in the punk movement mirror Mullen's insider perspective of the scene.
Dave Thompson - Thompson has authored numerous books on punk and alternative music, including detailed accounts of the London punk scene. His focus on the cultural impact of punk movements and venues parallels Mullen's documentation of The Masque's influence.
Clinton Heylin - Heylin writes extensively about punk and music history, with works focusing on the evolution of various music scenes. His research-based approach to music documentation reflects Mullen's method of capturing historical moments in punk culture.
Marc Spitz - Spitz documented the evolution of punk scenes through books like "We Got the Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of L.A. Punk." His focus on the Los Angeles punk scene directly connects with Mullen's territory and perspective.
John Doe - Doe, from the band X, wrote "Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk." His first-hand experience of The Masque and the L.A. punk scene provides the same insider perspective as Mullen's work.
Dave Thompson - Thompson has authored numerous books on punk and alternative music, including detailed accounts of the London punk scene. His focus on the cultural impact of punk movements and venues parallels Mullen's documentation of The Masque's influence.
Clinton Heylin - Heylin writes extensively about punk and music history, with works focusing on the evolution of various music scenes. His research-based approach to music documentation reflects Mullen's method of capturing historical moments in punk culture.
Marc Spitz - Spitz documented the evolution of punk scenes through books like "We Got the Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of L.A. Punk." His focus on the Los Angeles punk scene directly connects with Mullen's territory and perspective.
John Doe - Doe, from the band X, wrote "Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk." His first-hand experience of The Masque and the L.A. punk scene provides the same insider perspective as Mullen's work.