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Description
How a group of Portland, Maine, punks defeated a murderous gang of neo-Nazis.
The X Gang is a group of punks led by the scarred, silent, and mostly unreadable Christopher X. His best friend, Kurt Blank, is a hulking and talented punk guitarist living in the closet. Sisters Patti and Betty Upchuck form the core of the feminist Punk Rock Virgins band, and are the closest to X and Kurt. Assorted hangers-on and young upstarts fill out the X Gang’s orbit: the Hot Nasties, the Social Blemishes, and even the legendary Joe Strummer of the Clash. Together, they’ve all but taken over Gary’s, an old biker bar. Then over one dark weekend, a bloody crime nearly brings it all to an end.
Based on real events, Warren Kinsella tells the story of the X Gang’s punk lives — the community hall gigs, the antiracism rallies, the fanzines and poetry and art, and what happened after the brutal murders of two of their friends.
The X Gang is a group of punks led by the scarred, silent, and mostly unreadable Christopher X. His best friend, Kurt Blank, is a hulking and talented punk guitarist living in the closet. Sisters Patti and Betty Upchuck form the core of the feminist Punk Rock Virgins band, and are the closest to X and Kurt. Assorted hangers-on and young upstarts fill out the X Gang’s orbit: the Hot Nasties, the Social Blemishes, and even the legendary Joe Strummer of the Clash. Together, they’ve all but taken over Gary’s, an old biker bar. Then over one dark weekend, a bloody crime nearly brings it all to an end.
Based on real events, Warren Kinsella tells the story of the X Gang’s punk lives — the community hall gigs, the antiracism rallies, the fanzines and poetry and art, and what happened after the brutal murders of two of their friends.
Author Bio
Warren Kinsella is an author, musician, lawyer, and political consultant. His previous books include Recipe for Hate and New Dark Ages from the X Gang series, and the national bestseller Web of Hate. Warren also plays bass in the punk band SFH and runs the popular blog The War Room. He lives in Toronto.
Prizes
- Best Books for Kids & Teens, Spring 2018Winner 2018
- White PineShort-listed 2019
- John Spray Mystery AwardShort-listed 2018
Review Quotes
Unlike anything he has written before.
— Calgary Herald
Tension starts high and stays there in this unflinching page-turner, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the early punk scene and a moving testament to the power of friendship.
— Publishers Weekly
Kinsella’s book explodes off the page from the start...a dark and engrossing tale of punk-rock heroes fighting for justice.
— Booklist
Kinsella’s book explodes off the page from the start … A dark and engrossing tale of punk-rock heroes fighting for justice.
— Booklist (U.S.)
A compelling and jagged read.
— School Library Journal
a complex, multilayered mystery that highlights the energy and passion of youth while pointing a finger at issues like police misconduct, irresponsible journalism and the rise of the alt Right.
— CM Magazine
Absorbing, jarring and raw.
— Globe and Mail
Of interest to anyone interested in punk culture — not just the music, but the fanzines, art and writing of the period.
— Toronto Star
Kinsella skilfully blends convincing depictions of both the punk scene and the racist underground with the hoary trope of a band of kids setting out to solve a mystery … a suspenseful page-turner that also gives considerable food for thought.
— Quill & Quire
Raw and gritty and soaked in the passion for personal freedom, disdain for authority, and commitment to indie music
— TheStorySanctuary.com
excellent
— Edmonton Journal
Biographical note
Warren Kinsella is an author, musician, lawyer, and political consultant. Recipe for Hate is book one in the X Gang series. Warren plays bass in a punk rock group called SFH and runs the popular blog The War Room. He lives in Toronto.
