Rip It Up and Start Again: Post-Punk 1978-1984

Rip It Up and Start Again chronicles the post-punk music movement that emerged after the initial punk explosion of the mid-1970s. The book tracks the evolution from 1978 to 1984 across scenes in Britain, New York, and other musical hotspots. The narrative follows key bands like Public Image Ltd, Joy Division, Talking Heads, and Gang of Four as they pushed beyond punk's limitations. Reynolds draws from interviews with musicians, producers, and label owners to document how these artists incorporated influences from funk, disco, electronics, and avant-garde experimentation. The book examines parallel developments in music journalism, record label operations, and the intersection of post-punk with politics and art movements. Through detailed accounts of concerts, recording sessions, and scene dynamics, Reynolds reconstructs the rapid transformations that occurred during this six-year period. The book reveals how post-punk's emphasis on innovation and boundary-pushing created lasting impacts on alternative music, while exploring themes of artistic ambition, cultural upheaval, and the tension between underground ideals and mainstream success.

Readers describe this as a detailed chronicle of post-punk music that uncovers many lesser-known bands and scenes alongside the major players. Liked: - Deep research and interviews with musicians - Coverage of overlooked regional scenes (especially UK) - Places music in broader cultural/political context - Clear explanations of how the music evolved - Strong focus on the business/industry side Disliked: - US edition removes several chapters about UK bands - Writing can be dense and academic - Too much focus on certain scenes (esp. London/NYC) - Some readers found the chronological structure confusing - Limited coverage of hardcore punk and American scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Well-researched but occasionally dry" Several musicians mentioned in the book have praised its accuracy, including Gary Valentine of Blondie who called it "the definitive document of post-punk."

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🎸 The book's title comes from an Orange Juice song released in 1983, which itself was a tribute to Little Richard's 1956 hit "Rip It Up" 📝 Simon Reynolds conducted over 125 interviews for the book, including conversations with members of Gang of Four, Devo, and Talking Heads 🌍 The UK and US editions of the book differ significantly - the American version is about 200 pages shorter and reorganizes the material substantially 🎼 The book argues that post-punk was more revolutionary than punk itself, with bands incorporating influences from avant-garde music, funk, reggae, and electronic experimentation 🏆 A companion compilation album was released alongside the book, featuring 15 tracks from artists discussed in the text, including Pere Ubu, Mission of Burma, and The Pop Group