Tearing Down the Orange Curtain, Nate Jackson
Tearing Down the Orange Curtain, Nate Jackson
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

Tearing Down the Orange Curtain
How Punk Rock Brought Orange County to the World

Author: Nate Jackson, Daniel Kohn

Narrator: Marc Worden

Unabridged: 14 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Da Capo Press

Published: 05/20/2025


Synopsis

The untold story of OC punk—the loud, rebellious force behind the ‘90s explosion of the Orange County music scene, featuring stories about legendary bands.

When it comes to punk communities across the world, the Orange County punk scene stands out as an undeniable trendsetter that helped define the sound and style of the rapidly evolving genre. From hard luck storytellers Social Distortion and multi-platinum sellers like The Offspring to cult heroes like The Adolescents and T.S.O.L., there’s much insight to gain from the story of this popular though often misunderstood music scene.   

In Tearing Down the Orange Curtain, journalists Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn explore the trajectory of punk and ska from their humble beginnings to their peak popularity years, where their cultural impact could be felt in music around the world. Delving deep into the personal and professional lives of bands like Social Distortion, The Adolescents, The Offspring, and their ska counterparts No Doubt, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, and more, this book gives readers a deeper look into the very human stories of these musicians, many of whom struggled with acceptance, addiction, and brutal teenage years in suburbia.   

Through exclusive first-hand interviews, Tearing Down the Orange Curtain brings the 20-year period of OC punk and third-wave ska (1978-2000) to life, focusing specifically on the historical and musical roots of this creative explosion. Thought-provoking, meticulously researched, and refreshingly candid, this book presents a compelling narrative of how a suburban wasteland turned into a hub for rock-n roll culture, just over 30 miles away from the bright lights of LA.  

About Nate Jackson

Nate Jackson played six seasons in the National Football League as a wide receiver and a tight end. His writing has appeared in Deadspin, Slate, Daily Beast, BuzzFeed, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. A native of San Jose, California, he now lives in Los Angeles. This is his first book.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Catherine on May 18, 2025

I learned a ton about not only rock, but Orange County through this read! 4.5 stars rounded up. I wouldn’t call myself a huge rock fan, so I wasn’t sure going in what I would think about the book. Can absolutely say I have a newfound appreciation since having finished Jackson and Kohn’s account! Roc......more

Goodreads review by Marc on April 20, 2025

"Tearing Down the Orange Curtain" is one of the best rock books I've ever read. And I've read a lot of them. Who knew that Orange County was so punk, having birthed not only the Offspring and No Doubt but the great Social Distortion, TSOL, the Vandals and later topflight ska punk bands like Save Fer......more


Quotes

“A spirited portrait of an influential subculture.”—Publishers Weekly