My first book, If You Like the Ramones, was recently published by Backbeat Books. To help promote it, I’m doing a few author events and readings in the region. One of these happenings—which I’m calling “I (Heart) NYC Punk!!”—takes place tomorrow night and finds me honored to be sharing the bill with Andy Shernoff of legendary band the Dictators. This night of songs, stories, and rare vintage video will go down at the Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson.
Shernoff, who in addition to being a founding member and the chief songwriter of the Dictators worked as a musician and songwriter with the Ramones and Joey Ramone, will perform solo acoustic versions of new songs and Dictators classics interspersed with anecdotes and commentary. I’ll be reading from If You Like the Ramones and signing copies of the book, which is a fun-filled guide to “Over 200 Bands, CDs, Films, and Other Oddities You Will Love” if you are a new or long-time fan of the famed Forest Hills foursome. And as if that ain’t enough, attendees will also be treated to rare live video footage of the Ramones and other vanguard New York punk acts courtesy of Bedazzled Video.
To get you fired up, here’s a vintage peak at Shernoff (on acoustic guitar) with Joey Ramone and others at CBGB Gallery:
“I (Heart) NYC Punk!!” will take place at the Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson on November 22 at 8pm. Admission is $5. For more information, call (518) 671-6006 or visit http://www.thespottydog.com/blog/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/563814200357232/.
This article appears in November 2013.
Learn all about the Ramones in the book;
“ON THE ROAD WITH THE RAMONES”.
Throughout the remarkable twenty-two-year career of the Ramones the seminal punk rock band, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers, Recording Academy Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners and inductees into The Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, Monte A. Melnick saw it all. He was the band’s tour manager from their 1974 CBGB debut to their final show in 1996. Now, in this NEW UPDATED EDITION he tells his story. Full of insider perspectives and exclusive interviews and packed with over 250 personal color photos and images; this is a must-have for all fans of the Ramones.