About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
It’s 1978 and a non-stop carnival of debauchery begins as the first shock of punk hits Vancouver. Now, in 2022, revisit John Armstrong’s pivotal memoir in the 21st anniversary edition of Guilty of Everything.
As Buck Cherry – lead singer and guitarist of The Modernettes – Armstrong had himself a front row seat to the frenzy of the 70s and 80s alongside the likes of I Braineater, Joey Shithead, Dimwit, Chuck Biscuits, Mary Jo Kopechne, Art Bergmann and other figures of Vancouver’s earliest punk days. From White Rock to Vancouver, the back rooms and alleys of the Smilin’ Buddha to the Commodore Ballroom, Guilty of Everything recounts the drug-addled, booze-soaked days and nights of this anarchic era, brought to life once again by Armstrong’s candid and compelling prose.
Contributor Notes
John Armstrong is an award–winning journalist, writer and musician. He is the author of three books, Guilty of Everything (shortlisted for the BC Book Prize), Wages, and A Series of Dogs (longlisted for the Leacock Medal for Humour). After his early days as frontman Buck Cherry of The Modernettes, Armstrong began a 15-year long career as a journalist with the Vancouver Sun. He now lives with his family and dogs in Chilliwack, BC.
Editorial Reviews
Quite possibly my favourite punk memoir/historical account...He told the story of some of the formative years of the Vancouver punk scene as he experienced it and created a thoroughly entertaining tale of a bygone era in the process.
— Chris Eng, author of Molotov Hearts
Armstrong is a natural storyteller and vividly places the reader at a variety of seminal scenes...an entertaining and essential historical document of Canadian punk.
— Michael Barclay, exclaim.ca
Think Hunter S. Thompson meets Hemingway in Vancouver, and goes on a musical bender. Delicious.
— Erica Leiren, Discorder Magazine
Armstrong’s sardonic and conversational writing style, studded with frequent one-liners, keeps the narrative energy high.
— Derek Weiler, Quill & Quire
