The definitive story of The Slackers, Leftover Crack, and the New York City Ska Scene from one of the best punk drummers of his generation, Ara Babajian.
Set in four parts, Mister Tragedy spans the suburban Southern California punk scene of the mid-80s with Babajian’s first band The McMartin Choir Boys. The book then travels cross-country to the early 90s ska scene of NYC with his next band Agent 99, before moving on to the late 90s and early 2000s success of seminal bands Leftover Crack and The Slackers. Capturing the musical exhilaration of the era and sharing personal battles with mental health, Babajian’s memoir celebrates a golden age of music.
Within, Babajian tells the tale of what it was like to be a full-time member of two of the most influential punk/ska bands of their time. This non-fiction book also shares stories of bands such as Operation Ivy, Rancid, Choking Victim, Mephiskapheles, Hepcat, The Toasters, NOFX, The Aggrolites, Subhumans, Citizen Fish, Jeff Rosenstock and Bomb the Music Industry!