Why am I a punk? Because I wasnt anything before, except different. And now its like Im different, but with a vengeance. Its been months since the suicide of Darby Crash, L.A. punk rock icon and lead singer of the Germs. He checked out on the same day John Lennon was shot: December 8, 1980. But for Rockets Redglare, it feels like yesterday. Darby was the hot-as-sun center of Rocketss world. Part ringleader, part god, and all charismatic manipulator, Darby was as close to family as a hustler and street kid like Rockets might ever get.Now, as Rockets amps up for another night looking for tricks and scrounging a meal, Sex Pistols and X lyrics on repeat in his head, he knows hes come to a turning pointthe scene is changing, and nothings as easy as it was when Darby brought him into the fold. From the underground clubs to the back of the giant H in the Hollywood sign, Rockets and his crew of friends spend the night burning bridges, building new ones, tripping and talking and searching for answers. As the dark gives way to early morning, the punks and the cops engage in their ritual standoffand Rockets faces the ultimate choice: Should he stay or should he go?From the Trade Paperback edition.