Working from within

There’s a great new review of DaN McKee’s superb book, ‘Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher’, by the Personal Punk blog, here: https://personalpunk.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/anarchist-atheist-punk-rock-teacher-by-dan-mckee-earth-island-books/

“Don’t be scared. I was, a little. After all, Dan McKee‘s reputation for writing academic texts proceeds him and, like Shakespeare, it takes intensive training to read that stuff; trust me, I’ve tried. Thankfully, with Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher, McKee climbs down from academia’s oft-impenetrable verbosity, laying out this mix of memoir and philosophical musings in a more appropriately approachable style.”

“I remember McKee’s anarchist polemics in Fracture ‘zine and, while Dan has published scholarly papers on anarchism, education, punishment and punk, this book is… not that. Free from the white noise of such writings, the author attempts to tie together personal history and philosophical insight to make sense of meaningful employment, grief, religion and punk rock.

The title of the book gives away Dan’s USP, of course. That someone who hated school, formed a punk band (ACADEMY MORTICIANS) at age 14, wrote The Forbidden Curriculum at 15, describing school as ‘a capitalist con’, would subsequently become a teacher of Religious Studies is surely unconventional. Then again, it makes perfect sense that a free thinker would be drawn towards the nurturing of inquisitive minds, the bigger shock being that the state system would welcome such an individual. His experiences in the field take up a sizeable chunk of this book, and while you might be forgiven for thinking that could be a dull read, the ‘anarchist, atheist, punk rock‘ context, coupled with his expertise in Philosophy, fires the synapses. It turns out that reading about the world of teaching from such an unorthodox perspective is really fucking engaging, so it’s difficult not to draw the conclusion that such an individual would be a really fucking engaging teacher. Butting up against Ofsted strictures, experiencing the benefits of teaching in the private sector as a non-believer, clashing with traditional rules and regulations, the compromises arising from functioning as an anarchist under capitalism seem inevitable; that one must work from within to effect change. As fascinating as this story is, as told through such a unique perspective, what really stands out is McKee’s instinctive desire to make a difference by encouraging his pupils to question, to think. These sections are wholly absorbing, culminating in the rather affecting moment his punk and teaching worlds collide as he transforms the dreary school song into a rousing punk anthem.”

“As you’d expect from a memoir, McKee’s roots are explored. At times refreshingly prosaic, at others achingly poignant – his parents died within three years of each other – these sections balance philosophical musings perfectly; this is the squishy, flesh and blood stuff of the heart, bolstered by ruminations on grief, health anxiety and therapy.”

“Where I wrongly assumed that the teaching sections might be a dry read, I couldn’t wait to get into the author’s punk rock story, and it didn’t disappoint. GREEN DAY provided the spark, followed by a deep devotion to Jello Biafra, Henry Rollins/BLACK FLAG, and subsequent immersion in the DIY scene. A love of anarchist politics and philosophy informed much of the ‘thinking persons’ punk’ of his bands ACADEMY MORTICIANS and BULLET OF DIPLOMACY, and, turns out I own the complete discography of the former (okay, so it’s only two albums and a single), as well as a BOD demo. Now lost to both the mists of time and the black hole of the internet, these are ripe for rediscovery, particularly AM’s positively fizzing 7″ on Crackle Records. Imagine a sprightly BUZZCOCKS-like melodicism mixed with the kind of cerebral, quirky punk you sometimes find on Alternative Tentacles. Add some smart, socio-political lyrics – a smattering of which are scattered throughout the book – and you pretty much have it.”

“As someone who often tries too hard to figure out what the right thing to do is, I’m drawn to thinkers, even as much philosophical writing is impenetrable to me. This book works as accessible philosophy for the me’s of the world, as McKee instinctively works through the stuff of life – both immutable and pliable – just as he experiences the myriad attendant emotions; the perfect mix of brain and heart. Inspiring stuff.”

Visit Personal Punk for more great insight here ( https://personalpunk.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/anarchist-atheist-punk-rock-teacher-by-dan-mckee-earth-island-books/ ) and pick up a copy of the thinking person’s punk book, ‘Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher’, here.