Roger Miret Opens Up His Hardcore Archives in "With Time"

Roger Miret isn’t one for nostalgia tours. But in his new book, “Agnostic Front With Time: The Roger Miret Archives”, he takes us back to the gritty streets of 1980s New York City, where hardcore punk wasn’t a scene — it was survival. Pre-orders for the standard and deluxe editions are open now, for those who still care about physical media.

The book, co-written by Miret and Todd Huber, offers a raw look at AGNOSTIC FRONT’s rise to becoming the undisputed godfathers of hardcore. And when I say raw, we’re talking never-before-seen photos, old flyers that look like they were run through a Xerox one too many times, and Miret’s personal stories. It’s not just a book—it’s a snapshot of an era that shaped punk into what it is today. Or what it used to be before TikTok bands started calling themselves punk.

Miret’s approach to punk is as unapologetic as ever. “I never got into punk! Punk got into me!” he says, throwing down what could be the tagline for his entire career. He describes it as a “virus” that infected him, and he’s still riding that wave into this next phase of life. Now, he feels the urge to share his story with the world. And, honestly, who can blame him? When you’ve lived through the streets, the stages, and the road, why not give people a peek behind the curtain?

The book digs deep into AGNOSTIC FRONT’s early years, from their formation in 1982 to the release of their now-legendary albums “United Blood”, “Victim In Pain”, and “Cause For Alarm”. Between 1982 and 1986, the band wasn’t just playing shows—they were building the foundation for the New York hardcore scene. If you weren’t there, the book throws you right into the middle of it, packed with flyers, photos, and even the band’s 1985 U.S. tour diary. None of that polished, overproduced nonsense either—just gritty, real snapshots of a scene that was as DIY as it gets.

Miret has been holding onto this treasure trove of material for years. “These are some of my personal archives that I have cherished my whole life,” he says. A time capsule, as he calls it, from some of the darkest days of his life—days where that faint light at the end of the tunnel turned out to be hardcore punk. And in typical Roger fashion, he paints a picture of a colorful rose rising from the concrete grime of New York City. A bit poetic, sure, but when you’ve lived through the grime, maybe you earn the right to wax lyrical every now and then.

The book’s available in two flavors: the standard hardcover with 348 pages of full-color goodness, and the limited deluxe edition, which throws in a hard case, exclusive prints, and a poster. You know, for the collectors who need a reason to feel special.

Pre-orders run from October 9 to November 7, 2024, and the book ships out on December 7. That gives you plenty of time to figure out which edition you’re springing for. For those in the U.S., Miret will also be making the rounds with signings in Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles. So if you’ve ever wanted to shake the hand of the man who helped define New York hardcore, now’s your chance.

In case you missed it, Roger’s been through a lot in the past few years. Back in 2021, he revealed his cancer was in remission after a rough battle. Diagnosed earlier that year, he went through multiple tests, surgeries, and hospital stays before getting the good news. Miret’s toughness isn’t just on stage—it’s a life philosophy.

Born in Cuba, Roger fled with his family to the U.S. to escape the Castro regime. By 1983, he was fronting AGNOSTIC FRONT, pumping out classic after classic while dodging all the chaos of life in downtown New York. If you want more of the gritty details, check out his 2017 memoir, “My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts, And Glory”. That book dives even deeper into his childhood, the poverty, squatting as a teenager, and eventually turning to drug-running to support his family. You know, typical hardcore frontman stuff.

These days, Roger’s traded the New York streets for Scottsdale, Arizona, where he’s been living for the past few years. A bit of a change of scenery, but maybe even a legend like him needs a break from the grind of the city eventually.

For more info, visit withtimethebook.com.