Assistant Principal (a very un-punk job); Fulbright Distinguished Teacher; Author - Hardcore Punk in the Age of Reagan (May '25) with UNC Press
Normal, IL and London, UK
Joined December 2016
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Had a great time talking to Ken Reid about my @UNC_Press book on his TV Guidance Counselor podcast which is now available. You can check out the episode at tvguidancecounselor.libsyn.c…
A much appreciated chance to talk about my @UNC_Press recent book with Bradley Morgan for the @NewBooksNetwork podcast.
My new interview for @NewBooksNetwork is out! Spoke w/ Robert Fitzgerald about “Hardcore Punk in the Age of Reagan” (@uncpress 2025) which examines the hardcore punk response to the administration by challenging the myth of American exceptionalism (1/2)
newbooksnetwork.com/hardcore…
I had a wonderful time with Jason doing this podcast last night. Much thanks to him for the invite and opportunity.
HARDCORE PUNK IN THE AGE OF REAGAN ft. ROBERT FITZGERALD xitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1ypJdZkPV…
Robert Fitzgerald retweeted
My great friend @RobertFitz74’s NEW book is out and it is a huge hit! If you’re a fan of the history of music and the affect it has had on politics and the world, this will be a fun read! #HardcorePunkInTheAgeOfReagan @CoeCollege
"I heartily recommend reading it with a device that streams music within reach. That way, if there’s a song you don’t know or aren’t sure you remember, chances are you can find it in the internet ether and turn it up. LOUD, of course."
Exactly what I hoped readers would do!
Another much appreciated read and review of my book, this time from Ron Jacobs at @NatCounterPunch. #punk @UNC_Press counterpunch.org/2025/06/23/…
Another much appreciated read and review of my book, this time from Ron Jacobs at @NatCounterPunch. #punk @UNC_Press counterpunch.org/2025/06/23/…
Another much appreciated read and review of my book, this time by Forrest Gaddis from @DyingScene. Check it out at dyingscene.com/ds-book-club-…
#punk #hardcorepunk
A much appreciated read and review of my book from @SilasLapham. interminablerambling.medium.…
Robert Fitzgerald retweeted
44 years ago
The Minor Threat EP is the first release by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat and was released in June 1981 with a red cover
Later releases were added in order with green, yellow, and blue covers.
#punk #punks #punkrock #hardcorepunk #minorthreat #punkrockhistory
A surreal moment when these showed up in the mail last week. Thanks to @UNC_Press @Lucas_Church @BedenbaughT for all their work to see this through to fruition. And always thanks to @HartmanAndrew for the support. #punk
Just came across the work of ClearXCut while doing some research on straight edge. Their first two releases - The Vegan Straight Edge and For the Wild at Heart Kept in Cages - are two of the most passionate, powerful records I've ever listened to. #ClearXCut #straightedge
ClearxCut (Members of Heaven Shall Burn, Implore) Warn of a World “Collapse” (PREMIERE): bit.ly/2UKRxlA
Crazy. Without knowing this, I've been writing a lot lately about straight edge as I ponder what could be my next book, possibly a lyrical history of the movement. Maybe it was meant to be. Minor Threat was the first tape my brother lent me, a powerful moment for an 13 year old.
Released 43 years ago
In My Eyes, Minor Threat's second expanded track, featuring 'Out Of Step', the iconic song of the straight edge movement
Minor Threat - Out of Step
#punkrock #hardcore #straightedge #minorthreat #punkrockhistory
My May '25 @UNC_Press book on hardcore punk's response to the Reagan Revolution is now available for pre-order on the UNC Press site. Use code 01SOCIAL30 at check out to save 30%
uncpress.org/book/9781469685…
Robert Fitzgerald retweeted
Fun essay by @RobertFitz74, author of the forthcoming book "Hardcore Punk in the Age of Reagan: The Lyrical Lashing of an American Presidency." Fitzgerald wonders if punk rock will lyrically attack Trump the way they did Reagan.
selftitledmag.substack.com/p…
Cheers to @selftitledmag for putting out my brief piece on whether we will witness some punk pummeling the next four years (and whether it really matters). A little taste also of what my @UNC_Press May '25 book touches on in more detail.
Who better to ask about Trump 2.0 than punk rock scholar @RobertFitz74, amirite? selftitledmag.substack.com/p…
Just got back from a great trip to Helsinki! Cheers to @punkmuseo for the invite to come and speak about punk rock and Reagan and my May '25-published @UNC_Press book, as well as to @giacbotta for his help in setting it up.
A much appreciated plug for my @UNC_Press upcoming book from @selftitledmag. I expect we will see some more hardcore punk presidential haranguing in the very near future.
Not a regression per se, but it's a hell of a morning for Reagan-era hardcore records. Looks like @RobertFitz74 has a surreal, perspective-setting book for that on the way, actually: amzn.to/48ASvaN
