An American Demon: A Memoir
$14.95-
An American Demon is Jack Grisham’s story of depravity and redemption, terror and spiritual deliverance. While Grisham is best known as the raucous and provocative front man of the pioneer hardcore punk band TSOL (True Sounds of Liberty), his writing and true life experiences are physically and psychologically more complex, unsettling, and violent than those of Bret Easton Ellis and Chuck Palahniuk.
Eloquently disregarding the prefabricated formulas of the drunk–to–sober, bad–to–good tale, this is an entirely new kind of life lesson: summoned through both God and demons, while settling within eighties hardcore punk culture and its radical–to–the–core (and most assuredly non–evangelical) parables, Grisham leads us, cleverly, gorgeously, between temporal violence and bigger-picture spirituality toward something very much like a path to salvation and enlightenment. An American Demon flourishes on both extremes, as a scary hardcore punk memoir and as a valuable message to souls navigating through an overly materialistic and woefully self–absorbed “me first” modern society.
An American Demon conveys anger and truth within the perfect setting, using a youth rebellion that changed the world to open doors for this level of brash destruction. Told from the point of view of a seminal member of the American Punk movement — doused in violence, rebellion, alcoholism, drug abuse, and ending with beautiful lessons of sobriety and absolution — this book is as harrowing and life–affirming as anything you’re ever going to read.
Now in heavy demand as a public speaker, Jack Grisham currently receives thousands of calls a month from individuals and organizations seeking his advice, expertise, wit, mentorship, and support, especially on drug and alcohol–related issues. Grisham is a master hypnotherapist and resides in Huntington Beach, California. He spends his time with his family, surfs, and voluntarily offers his services to his community.
-
Published: May 2011
ISBN: 9781550229561
Dimensions: 6 x 9 in.
Pages: 360
Reviews
“Jack Grisham is a legend to those in the know. Much of the success of punk rock was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of this surf punk, Southern California mad man. After such a compelling read, it's so nice to see him break on through to the other side . . . some weren't so lucky . . .” — Mark McGrath, singer
“Sociopathic art in its rawest form, as wickedly relayed through the eyes of a surfer demon. American Demon is a punk rock parable written by a bedlamite, whose immoral compass is cranked up to 11.” — Heidi Siegmund Cuda, author of Sublime's Brad Nowell: Crazy Fool, Vans Warped, and Got Your Back
“Jack Grisham finally, irrevocably, puts to death the slander that the early Los Angeles punk scene was 'plastic.' The first true literature to come out of our pathetic little punk lives, American Demon is haunting and awakens monsters. But it should come with a warning label: it's a dangerous little book. Read Patti Smith's Just Kids. Then read this. But only if you have the courage to follow poetry as far as it can go.” — Paul Roessler, producer, composer, musician
“Unnervingly brilliant, compulsive reading for those of us that are glad it's all over.” — Rat Scabies, musician and former drummer of punk band the Damned
“If you've ever found yourself unable to turn away from witnessing an accident, crash or natural disaster, you'll read American Demon straight through, like I did. Jack Grisham's memoir is as original as it is horrifying. I couldn't put it down.” — James Frey, bestselling author of A Million Little Pieces and Bright Shiny Morning