Smash!: Green Day, The Offspring, Bad Religion, NOFX, and the ’90s Punk Explosion

The 90s were a chaotic, challenging time for punk music. Never before had mainstream attention and big money been more attainable, nor the consequences of hitting it big more caustic and reputation-damaging. It was the ultimate punk paradox, where runaway success was branded as selling out, and the fans who had supported you in the lean times might turn on you at a moment’s notice.

Smash! brings this turbulent time in music to life with singular insight, taking you into the heart of the studios, vans, and venues that birthed some of punk’s wildest success stories. Winwood’s knowledge of the field is second-to-none, and he happily gives praise to bands whose reputations have suffered over the years for incredibly stupid reasons.

The Offspring, NOFX, Green Day, Bad Religion, Social Distortion, X, Black Flag, and many other bands are mentioned, even if only a few get major stage time in the narrative. The world of LA punk was vivid, mean, and hungry, and Winwood puts you backstage, in the pit, and behind the scenes.

It’s all the high points and low points of punk, but without feeling melodramatic, melancholy, or condescending. Smash! is full throttle understanding, appreciation, and love for the scene. It’s awesome.