[Finally Complete] Legendary Rock Critic Lester Bangs' First Japanese Translation Anthology Vol. 2 Released - The Music of Words That Raced Through the 70s is Here. "Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste"

Tonkachi Co., Ltd. (Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Yukari Katsuki) is pleased to announce the release of "Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: The Collected Writings of Lester Bangs," the second and final volume in the collected works (anthology) of the legendary rock critic Lester Bangs, who passed away at the young age of 33 after a career in the golden age of rock in the 1970s.

This is the third book related to Lester Bangs published by Tonkachi Books, following the biographical work "Lester Bangs: The Legendary Rock Critic, His Words and Life" (2024) and the first collection of writings, "Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung" (2025), and is a long-awaited first Japanese translation.

Currently available for purchase at the Tonkachi Store (https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp), Amazon, Rakuten Books, and more.

This is the first complete Japanese translation of "the music of words" left by the legendary rock critic Lester Bangs, selected by his close friend and leading American music journalist, John Morthland. It covers everything from Lester's fresh manuscripts from his teenage years, which were not included in the previous volume, to travelogues written from his unique perspective. This is the definitive, must-have final volume, packed with electrifying insights, digressions and delusions, and unparalleled shifts and passion for rock.

▼ Special Website

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/blogs/special/lbs_mbf

▼ Click here to purchase "Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: The Collected Writings of Lester Bangs"

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/products/lbs005

Book Information

Title: Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: The Collected Writings of Lester Bangs

Author: Lester Bangs

Editor: John Morthland

Translator: Yudai Okuda

Price: 4,950 yen (4,500 yen + tax)

Release Date: June 25, 2026

Format: Paperback, 188mm (H) x 128mm (W) x 35mm (D), 576 pages

ISBN: 978-4-910592-48-0

Publisher: Tonkachi Co., Ltd.

Publisher's Website

https://www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784910592480

"Lester Bangs" 3-Book Set

[Contents]

1 copy of "Lester Bangs: The Legendary Rock Critic, His Words and Life"

1 copy of "Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung: The Collected Writings of Lester Bangs"

1 copy of "Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: The Collected Writings of Lester Bangs"

Price: 14,410 yen (tax included)

▼ Product Page

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/products/lbsd001

・Lester Bangs (Author)

Lester Bangs

December 14, 1948 - April 30, 1982

Began his career in college by submitting a reader review to Rolling Stone magazine. Established his popularity with a raw yet extremely sharp writing style honed through self-study. After being fired from the magazine in 1973, he contributed to numerous publications including Creem, The Village Voice, and Playboy. Known for his noisy and radical critical style, including a performance where he brought a typewriter on stage during a J. Geils Band concert to write. Died in 1982 at the age of 33 from a drug overdose.

He continues to have a significant influence on many creators even after his death, with Philip Seymour Hoffman playing him in the 2000 film "Almost Famous," and the Ramones and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. singing his name in songs, and author David Foster Wallace dedicating his books to him.

・John Morthland (Editor)

John Morthland

A leading music journalist in American rock and country criticism. Began his career at age 17 by interviewing the Rolling Stones on their first US tour. After editing for Rolling Stone and Creem, he served as a contributing editor for Texas Monthly for many years. Died in 2017 (age 68).

・Yudai Okuda (Translator)

Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1958. Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies with a degree in British and American English. Has translated numerous renowned music-related books and autobiographies.

Major translated works include: "Neil Young: Shakey" (Biyosha), "Lou Reed: A Biography" (Aki Shobo), "Robbie Robertson: Testimony" and "Paul Simon: The Great American Songbook" (DU BOOKS), among many others.

・Table of Contents

Introduction and Acknowledgments

PART 1 DRUG PUNK

PART 2 HYPES AND HEROICS

PART 3 PANTHEON

PART 4 TRAVELOGUES

PART 5 RAVING, RAGING, AND REBOPS

A Professor's Notes By Jim DeRogatis

・Tonkachi Store Lester Bangs Book Lineup

Lester Bangs: The Legendary Rock Critic, His Words and Life

The long-awaited first biography in Japan of legendary rock critic Lester Bangs, who defined "punk rock" during the turbulent 1970s.

This meticulously recorded account of his "soulful words," considered untranslatable, and his dramatic life, from his rise to fame to his death at 33, fills a historical void. It's a book where you can encounter true literature and youth, from a scarred hero who genuinely confronted music over 40 years after his death.

Price: 3,960 yen (tax included)

▼ Product Page

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/products/lbs001

"Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung: The Collected Writings of Lester Bangs"

"Piercing through authenticity and fakery with words" - The second Japanese translation of writings by legendary rock critic Lester Bangs is now available from Tonkachi Books!

Following the 2024 biography "Let it Blurt," this volume is an anthology carefully selected by music critic heavyweight Greil Marcus from a vast collection of record reviews and unpublished manuscripts.

This is the definitive, must-have final volume, bringing "rock and roll as literature" back to life through the torrent of words that defined the peak of rock in the 1970s.

Price: 5,500 yen (tax included)

▼ Product Page

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/products/lbs003

▼ Feature "Lester Bangs: The Legendary Rock Critic, His Words and Life"

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/blogs/special/lbs_book

▼ Feature "[Lester Bangs Collected Writings Released] Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung"

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/blogs/special/lbs_book_prcd

▼ Click here to purchase books

Tonkachi Store

https://shop.tonkachi.co.jp/collections/prcd

Rakuten Books

https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18685460/?l-id=search-c-item-text-01