Punk Rock Ruined My Life – John Robb

Thu 22 October, 2026 at 6:30 pm

Minister for the Counterculture, John Robb has lived a life in music beginning in his hometown of Blackpool – where punk was a battle against the odds – and went international when he toured the world with his band. The first person to interview Nirvana, he also discovered The Stone Roses for newspaper Sounds and did interviews with everyone from The Manics to Patti Smith. Along the way, he became an on-screen commentator and author. Robb’s memoir tells of deep friendships with figures from Poly Styrene to Chris Packham. Packed with riotous stories, it provides an alternative account of British musical and cultural history and a triumphant blueprint for a punk rock life.

John Robb is a writer and musician. He is the author of numerous books, most recently Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis (2025) and The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth (2023). He is the founder of the culture site Louder Than War, plays bass with the band The Membranes and contributes a column to Viva!life Magazine, published by the Vegan campaigning charity Viva!

Age Guidance: Adults and 16+