Top Rankin': A Punk/Ska Noir Novel

In 1980, James Dual and Drea Dresden start the ON Klub, a ska, soul, and reggae club in Los Angeles. The club becomes a home for diverse kids united by their love of vinyl. However, the club's popularity attracts attention from the Rampart police division, a mob-related music man, and corrupt Sheriffs homicide detectives. James is threatened by the detectives for the death of a band, and Drea hides out in London until things cool down. She meets the controversial new English band Vortex and joins them for their first US tour, warning of the dangers of a potential Ronald Reagan presidency.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 27 May 2021
\n Publisher: Rare Bird Books
\n

It's the dawn of 1980 in Los Angeles, and everything is changing. Punks, drug addicts, and assorted miscreants play in the decaying homes of Hollywood golden era stars. The playfully decadent, diverse LA punk scene is under threat from the violent, misogynistic hardcore scene, not to mention the suddenly cheap, high-grade heroin that tempts many who haven't managed to get their artistic careers in gear yet.

James Dual wants no part of that and is inspired by the racially integrated punky ska revival in England. He starts the ON Klub, a ska, soul, and reggae club at the rough and ready pre-gentrified Silver Lake end of Sunset Blvd. He and partner-in-crime, actor spawn Drea Dresden, try their best to make the transition out of the 1970s in one piece.

As the hole in the hillside dump of a joint successfully explodes, there's no fighting on the ON Klub dance floor, shared by young Jamaicans, sharp-dressed Asian American girls, South Central kids, London escapees, mods on scooters from Orange County, Latino kids from the neighborhood—all united by the inspiring vinyl they can't hear on the radio or anywhere else in the US. This is the only place these kids can go, where everyone's welcome, and they are treated equally, so it becomes home to them.

All this attention, not to mention overcapacity crowds and underage kids, leads to a visit from the soon-to-be notorious Rampart police division, who threaten closure and worse. A journalist friend brings a mob-related music man connected to Bob Marley to visit the club, who becomes obsessed with the charismatic young Jamaican singer Loraine Sulley, who is performing that night.

He lures James with promises to bring in iconic ska and reggae artists to perform at the club if James convinces Loraine to sign to Marshalls planned new record label.

In the meantime, James and Drea's relationship is strained by their conflicting dreams and priorities. James is determined to make the ON Klub a success, while Drea is more interested in pursuing her acting career and getting involved with the local drug scene.

The club's success attracts the attention of rival factions in the music industry, who are eager to muscle in on the action. James and Drea must navigate the treacherous waters of the music industry, while also dealing with the challenges of running a successful club and maintaining their personal lives.

Ultimately, the ON Klub becomes a symbol of hope and unity for the diverse community of young people who gather there. It provides a place for them to express themselves, connect with others, and find a sense of belonging in a world that often feels like it's against them.

In the end, the ON Klub is a story of resilience, creativity, and the power of music to bring people together in times of crisis. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light and a chance for something beautiful to emerge.

\n Weight: 210g\n
Dimension: 140 x 215 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781644281932\n \n