FLOORPUNCH : No Exceptions 1995 - 2000 Book

Floorpunch No Exceptions 1995-2000 is the definitive oral history of the most important and coolest straight edge hardcore band since 1989—the one that goes in the time capsule. 340 pages containing interviews with every member and key individuals of the time—in their scene and others—the book also shakes out as an illuminating document of a revelatory time in hardcore, and describes the sea change in the scene in the 1990s which Floorpunch brought on. Effectively, No Exceptions gives the Robert A. Caro treatment to straight edge hardcore—finally—via thorough and lively coverage of the band’s formation and span, with lore on every show and recording, their growth, the scenes’ reactions, controversy, the Final Mosh, and all the stories… severe depth and context on a pivotal band the way they deserve to be seen. Anyone who likes or knows about Floorpunch is likely already feet first on this book; No Exceptions is also recommended reading for individuals who are curious about what the hardcore scene—scenes—was really like in 1990s, or who were around then, and/or what it was like to be in the middle of something special. Throughout there are photos—live, everything else—an index with an exhaustive archive of the band’s T-shirts, as well as every show flier, selected graphics, logos and more.

The book contains interviews with everyone who was around during that time and involved. On the record are: Floorpunch’s Mark Porter, Chris Zusi, Bill Punch, Marc Zev and Mike Kingshott. Brett Beach of In My Blood Records, which put out the demo and 7”, Steve Reddy of NY Wolfpack whose Equal Vision Records released the band’s full length LP, Duncan Barlow, who was involved in an altercation with the band; all central members of FPC (Floorpunch Crew), including: Geoff D'agostino, Shark Attack’s Matt Summers and Matt Smith, Jesse Standhard of Follow Through, Dave Murphy (great stage diver); In My Eyes’ Anthony Pappalardo, Martin Castro, whose exploits cannot be described judiciously in a blurb, Ari Katz and Dan Yemin of Lifetime, Guav (designer for Cabal 315 Straight Edge clothing), Sean O'Donnell of Youngblood Records, Chris Kelly of 97a, West Coasts’ Todd Jones from Nails, the author Ray Lemoine, and many more. If you think there is a voice missing here, trust me, they were asked to participate and either declined or just didn’t respond.

The book contains photography from Justine DeMetrick, Jess Humphrey, Carl Gunhouse, Traci McMahon, Matt Summers, Casey Kulas, Christina Dong, Steve Larger, Erin Murphy, Nick Martinson, Donny Mutt, Sharon McCarthy, Christina Garcia, Katie Dance, and many more.

The book contains a foreword and afterword by Brett Beach and T-shirt images courtesy of Ry Fillman; All interviews were conducted by Crucial John. No Exceptions was edited by Shivaun Watchorn and designed by Crucial John and Tom Bejgrowicz.