Book Review: Namedropping - Seeking Creative Truth Through Trendy Altruism and Punk Rock by Jameson Ketchum

All I wanted was to be part of something new; something apart from my parents without the basic, teen rebellion. I suppose it’s normal for any kid to want to claim something as their own (it’s not a phase, Mom!), to want their own music, their own interests—craving leaders for their generation versus leaning on the tired and outdated signposts of their parents’ culture.

During the spring, I had the chance to read Namedropping: Seeking Creative Truth Through Trendy Altruism and Punk Rock by Jameson Ketchum, who happened to be the guest for episode 53 of The Keep It Posi Podcast. It was a fun conversation and to sum up Jameson’s book, it’s part memoir and part self-help. For anyone who’s a fan of music who grew up in the early 00s listening to emo, pop-punk, or post-hardcore, this is a book you may want to read.

For every experience or significant moment, Jameson wrote about, there was a specific song connected to it. The moments Jameson refers to are when he’s interviewing a band, when he’s on tour, or writing about a band. These are just some of the experiences he talks about in Namedropping. Some of the most notable bands talked about in the book due to some of Jameson’s biggest moments are MxPx, Emery, August Burns Red, Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, and Anberlin.

For anyone who’s been going to shows since they were a teen, has been supporting the music scene, has dreamed about a career in the industry, and continues to support touring bands (especially with tours resuming), this is a book for your suggested reading. You can order your copy at rhetaskewpublishing.com.