Sassenberger at Sonik

Earth Island Books in the UK has printed a second edition of Bill Sassenberger’s great book, ‘Toxic Shock Records, Assassin of Mediocrity: A Story of Love, Loss and Loud Music’.

This heavily illustrated tome is now expanded from less than 200 tiny pocketbook pages in its original limited US release to a 6” x 9” 338 page full colour work of art.

Images that were originally postage stamp size now encompass half or full pages from brand new scans and layout by graphic designer Welly Artcore. The new book includes 40 more unreleased photos not seen in the first edition! Plus rare flyers, album artwork, highlights from the 2024 Books n Broccoli book tour, plus full sets of photos from all manner of early gigs Bill attended in the 80's at venues like the Whisky, Olympic, PAL boxing gym, the Eastern Front fest, Desolation Center and several Raw Power US tour diaries. There are also new photo contributions from the likes of Edward Colver, Ben DeSoto and Bob Durkee. The revamped cover art and illustrations are by Brian Walsby, Pushead, Vince Ransid, Jim Blanchard and more. With Earth Island Books distributing the book worldwide now, it is finally at an affordable postage for all our friends in the UK and Europe, as well as the USA!

Additionally to this new paperback, the book is now available to read as an eBook.

You can get it online anywhere, here are some example links:

https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Shock-Records-Assassin-Mediocrity-ebook/dp/B0DWVGY842 (US)

and here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toxic-Shock-Records-Assassin-Mediocrity-ebook/dp/B0DWVGY842/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 (UK)

If you would be so kind to give the book a review on Amazon, we would appreciate it very much!

Bill loves to travel and when he does he often stops off in book and record stores to speak about his book and his life, then do a few readings and sign some copies. His next event is in Montreal, Canada, at Sonik Records from 2 to 4pm on Saturday 3rd May to help celebrate the store's 25th anniversary! Get along if you can.

Thoughts Words Action reviewed the book here: https://thoughtswordsaction.com/2025/02/27/earth-island-books-to-release-toxic-shock-records-assassin-of-mediocrity-by-bill-sassenberger-on-march-28th/

Razorcake reviewed the book here: https://razorcake.org/toxic-shock-records-assassin-of-mediocrity-by-bill-sassenberger-204-pgs/

And you can pick up a copy here.