LAST ONE TO DIE by Michael Essington

Michael grew up in the thick of LA punk rock, created fliers, was in a few bands and writes for Strange Reaction, Flipside 2010 and has interviewed many legends.  This is his book about growing up in those times and onward to more recent.

Last One To Die is an entertaining and informative look into what it was like to grow up in The LA area of California in the 70's, 80's, 90's to now as a dedicated punk rocker, student. employee, skater, band member, rapper, dad and fighter. It's all in here - struggles, moments of brilliance, dysfunctional families/people, relationships, told in various stories that vary in time period as though you were being told in person.  The perspective is great for those of us that have no idea what life was like then and now in that part of CA; something I'd always wished I had done.  Some of my favorite stories were Ray and his crazy wife, the 20 mph mudslide to a luckily red lighted street, El Lobo and the knife and razorblade with cops moment...ok, I'm teasing you...because I want you to read this book.  There's way more, but I don't like to do long drawn out reviews; rather short and to the point (like a good punk song)... Towards the end are some great interviews Skateboard legend and punk rocker Jay Adams (I've viewed many Jay interviews and this one stands out) , Eric Leach of Symbol Six, Lisa from Frontier Records and the incredibly innovative and talented musician; Rikk Agnew. 
I must admit when I first started reading the book it wasn't what I expected, and it turned out to be so much more.  It was an honest accounting through the stories of one who lived it with no glam, no self pity through one of the most interesting time periods in music and Skate history that keeps you going page to page til you've stayed up too late or blown off other responsibilities - so grab this book and experience it for yourself.