OFF THE BUS AND ON THE RECORD 22 Candid Rock Interviews by the Teen Journalists of The Rock Star Stories

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Nine years ago, four Florida kids started a teen-centered TV show called The Rock Star Stories, on which they interviewed rock musicians and other personalities who passed through town. OFF THE BUS AND ON THE RECORD (June 2009, Zest Books) is a compilation of The Rock Star Stories’ best music interviews, along with funny and poignant anecdotes about their experiences as teen journalists, and additional factoids about the artists.

OFF THE BUS provides a unique Almost Famous perspective: In their interviews, the teens created a casual, off-the-cuff environment, and the artists definitely let their guards down. The artists were captured at various points in their careers, some on the upward trajectory and others enjoying big success.

Included are high-visibility rock stars like Gavin DeGraw, Maroon 5, The Donnas, and Rooney, as well as hot up-and-comers such as Charlotte Sometimes, Eisley, and The All-American Rejects. Other featured bands are Cartel, CKY, Cobra Starship, Dave Melillo, Fat Mike (NOFX), Marko 72 (Sugarcult), Gym Class Heroes, Jack’s Mannequin, Meg & Dia, My Chemical Romance, New Found Glory, OK Go, The Academy Is…, The Starting Line, Yellowcard, and some surprise superstars.

Author-interviewers Jaime, Amanda, Zac, and Brittany Rich started The Rockstar Stories when a local Boca Raton TV network asked them to make a music show for teens. They’ve filmed more than 200 episodes, which are in 68 markets and on 4500 college campuses. Swept Away Media, the family’s production company, is a nonprofit that offers real music journalism and production experience to teens.

Austin-based Editor Aaron Burgess is the former editorial director of Alternative Press magazine, and current contributor to Alternative Press, Spin, The Onion A.V. Club, Revolver, Blender, and Rolling Stone.

Indie rock poster artist Kevin Tong designed the cover art. Kevin has designed editorial for the LA Weekly and OC Weekly, and posters for Tapes ‘n Tapes, Beck, Weezer, Jenny Lewis, The Decembrists, MGMT and others.

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ABOUT ZEST BOOKS:

Zest Books is an exciting line of smart and edgy titles that focus on the colorful chaos of teen life. The books cover timely topics in creative ways by incorporating solid life advice, practical how-to instruction, and humorous commentary. Zest Books’ catalogue includes INDIE GIRL, FASHION 101, 97 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU FINISH HIGH SCHOOL, UNCOOL, and GIRLS AGAINST GIRLS. Supported by parents, teachers, and teens themselves, Zest Books is a progressive leader in teen nonfiction.

Zest Books is an imprint of Orange Avenue Publishing. .

www.zestbooks.net

via Alternative Press

It’s been nearly a decade since four Florida teenagers started interviewing musicians who came through town for their TV show, The Rock Star Stories. The budding Lester Bangs compiled 22 of their favorite interviews for Off The Bus And On The Record–featuring candid interviews with the likes of members of My Chemical Romance, the Academy Is…, Cobra Starship and, well, 19 more bands.

Check out their video intro below and an exclusive excerpt from the book, out in June on Zest Books here. Retailers should have the book the week of June 29th, 2009.

Off The Bus And On The Record (Altpress.com exclusive) from Alternative Press on Vimeo.

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