Book Review: This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika and The Third Reich by Daniel Rachel

Book Shelf Analysis- This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika and The Third Reich by Daniel Rachel

reviewed by

WesFlexner-Anon

Daniel Rachel’s This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika, The Third Reich released from Akashic Books intertwines Pop Music’s infatuation with Hitler, and The Swastika with the actual atrocities involved with murdering, and sexually assaulting during a genocide which killed 6, 000, 000 jewish people.

Daniel Rachel’s biography:

Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters – a Guardian and NME Book of the Year-, Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music & Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge -winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize-, Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia-an Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year-, The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up? Guardian Book of the Week= and Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation (a Sunday TimesUncut, Rough Trade US and Resident Music Book of the Year-, now widely considered the definitive history of 2 Tone.

He has served as consultant and appeared as a talking-head on several cultural documentaries, including Madness: Prince of Ska, Kings of Pop -2025-, Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story -2024- and Britpop: The Music that Changed Britain -2023-. He was guest curator of 2 Tone Lives & Legacies exhibition as part of Coventry Cultural City 2021, curated the anniversary edition of the Selecter’s debut album Too Much Pressure and written sleeve notes for Bryan Ferry, the Kinks, the Selecter, Ray Davies and Ocean Colour Scene.

Daniel’s latest book, This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll: Pop Music, the Swastika and the Third Reich was serialized on the front cover of the Times Review. Receiving rave reviews and standing room only appearances. This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll has been named a Rough Trade, Resident Music and Louder Than War book of the year and nominated for the Penderyn Music Book prize.

During the beginning of reading This Ain’t Rock N Roll, I contemplated if there is some network or secret society who rewards anyone famous that says: ‘Hitler was an exceptional entertainer. ‘

I debated if nazi’s affiliation power works because white supremacy’s strength in conformity or if a section of all intelligence agencies rewards people who like nazis.

The Hitler-CIA connection sorta infiltrated each other which did defeat nazis in Germany. Hip Hop in High School informed us CIA- Nazi’s fled to Brazil. I didn’t think about the idea of espionage. I said: “I don’t like Nazis.”

I haven’t ever found myself impressed with Adolf’s crowd rocking.. I look at some short dude yelling which involved into top awful things in Social Studies class. I don’t speak German. I assumed Hitler was yelling “kill the jews. white power.” I wasn’t impressed.

American’s Slavery of people of African descent…. America’s colonialism conquering Native Americans.. The Holocaust in Germany… We were all mortified and disgusted by heinous atrocities by nazis, and the American colonialism.

I don’t think this is white guilt. I dislike genocide and rape because I like people and women.

American colonialism preceded Adolf.

Daniel Rachel’s This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika, The Third Reich discusses rockstar’s Nazi fashion.

I don’t have any need for a swastiki. I suppose Maybach Music swazi use did seem brash and provocative. 

Daniel Rachel’s This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika, The Third Reich focuses on Rock Stars buying actual nazi clothes.

I wondered who was introducing the WW2 nazi vintage clothes salesperson to every rock star.  I’m supposing giving rock stars the option of dressing like terrible people was probably a manager or personal assistant mistake. 

Drugs seem like they were being sold by people who sold nazi clothes. Is there a section of all intelligence agencies that pairs drugs with Nazis?

Nazi soldiers took speed before invading England.

I don’t think every rock star in a uniform or wears Red And Black is nazi. I will counter-argue. We can’t forfeit the colors Red + Black or military chic. Black Panthers wore military uniforms. 

I won’t mention who Daniel accuses of nazism.  For awhile, during This Ain’t Rock N Roll is appalled so many people were into arguing Hitler could rock a crowd, and were impressed they could own things owned by Nazi’s 

In it’s entirety, this book reads like the Jewish Defense League, and PMRC created Ego Trip Book of Nazi Lists for the Alt-right.

IF your looking for music which Daniel Rachel doesn’t find nazi…  The Specials, and Serge Gainsbourg are your options which are complete void of swastiki’s, uniforms, and the colors Red + Black.

Serge Gainsbourg released Rock Around the Bunker which explicitly denounces nazis with songs called Nazi Rock.

 Rock Around the Bunker sounds like the upcoming Black Keys dive-bar decadence blues album Peaches

Black Keys Peaches album does contain Red + Black from a Willam Eggleston Coca Cola photo. Mike Carney designed the Black Keys cover. I know Mike. Mike isn’t anti-semitic and doesn’t own any swatikas. I know Carney is appalled at the hideous torture, and sexual violence committed against Jews.

Mike did give me Joy Divisions’ Unknown Pleasure which doesn’t equate to supporting the Third Reich,

Daniel Rachel’s This Ain’t Rock N Roll does declare black-metal band Waitain aren’t nazis.

I think the most important part of This Ain’t Rock N Roll is reminding everyone that the Holocaust is one of the worst atrocities humans experienced.

 6 million people were killed. 6 million people were brutally tortured. Each individual felt a tremendous amount of pain while dieing. 

Daniel is good a reminding us about the individuality of every holocaust victim.

I disagree with the book’s blanket accusations of nazism against the history of music.. I find many disingenuous and irresponsible. I do agree with a basic premise: People shouldn’t celebrate a genocide.

This book is effective at reminding everyone a flaw in trolling is dehumanization. Donald Trump is President again because alt-right Trolling.

There is a debate if Slayer glorifies or simply reminds everyone of the extent of Holocaust experience. I will remind: : Rick Rubin is Jewish…

Do you think Dead City Punk’s Meth Psychosis make Meth sound appealing? Slayer’s South of Heaven didn’t make me a nazi or Satan worshiper. I promise.  

South of Heaven created Public Enemy listeners. Madonna’s Justify My Love sampled Public Enemy. I think Madonna knew Louis Farrakhan existed.

Never Again to anyone.

I think the majority of jews in our country are privately aware of exact details of mass killings for each holocaust victim.. 

Jews for Palestine exist for a reason. Young jewish people’s families are empirical evidence of the awareness off a mass of people were placed in warehouses, raped, tortured and experimented upon. 

I watch Holocaust documentarys so I don’t become insensitive towards Jewish people while denouncing the current treatment of Palestinians. I can analyze fascism’s process and remain sympathetic to this those whose relationship with Isreal is probably personal.

We must understand the extent of the holocaust for several reasons:

I live in Columbus, Ohio.

ISREAL was an imperfect place of power for a people who are the target of demonization for political power. I won’t delve into the idea that America reason leaving England was seperation of Church + State.

Is it possible to separate celebrate Satan’s evil with an understanding the Holocaust wasn’t inflicted by a mystery demon?

We must make sure Jewish people don’t need to feel defensive.

With that caveet…

Democratic lawmakers like Maxine Waters aren’t allowed entrance into ICE Detention facilities where our tax dollars are involved with fascist human factory farming.  People are being shipped into prison camps overseas. 

I don’t like ICE as a vegan.

We haven’t seen a final solution where people are being mass incinerated. This doesn’t mean white supremacists abducting human beings into captivity without rules isn’t gonna make an incredibly dark chapter in our country worse.

Trump is using Israel as justification for employing nazis for nazi camp wordwide..

Would you listen to songs called…

“Alligator Alcatraz is a Gas.”

“Netanyahu is a Dope Rapper.”

Hitler wasn’t a dope rapper. Hitler is known for killing 6 million jews.

This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika and The Third Reich by Daniel Rachel fails at appreciating Rock N Roll Against Racism’s success in shifting Aerican culture to the left. I suppose Daniel could sell you another book. Daniel is an expert about Rock Against Racism.

This Ain’t Rock N Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika and The Third Reich by Daniel Rachel succeeds in reminding NEVA AGAIN for any people…including jewish people.

I wouldn’t wear a T-shirt celebrating Kristi Noem or mocking Alex Pretti’s death in a decade or 20 years from now.  Would you wear a Donald Trump shirt?

Hitler’s violent warehousing of people for human rights abuses are why people are worried about AIPAC lobbying our country in ICE Camps, and the murder of muslims overseas.

Is Hitler, Donald Trump ICE Raids, and Netanyahu’s friendship White supremacist American colonizations’ long game?

Donald Trump and Netanyahu are from Hitler’s generation. intelligence culture and community.

Why do you think this book cover looks cool and/or interesting?

BSA Hip Hop 3-26-2026


7pm Thursday 92.7 / 98.3 wcrsfm.org
midnight replay 
wesflexner@anonrocknroll.com
Columbus, Ohio
BSA courtesy of AREL BSA/io
Raekwon w Nas – Omerta
Rashad Thomas – We Expect You
Talib Kweli + J-Rawls – We Outside

ANON
Mos Def w Slick Rick – Auditorium
Atmosphere – Really
FishBone – A Selection
Grieves w Benz Shelton w Blueprint DJ Detox – 1 of 1
Nas w DJ Premier – Bouquet
7xvethegenius – Worthy
Blueprint w Aesoprock – Lo-Fi Funk
J-Swifa w Vada Azeem – Funeral
Aesoprock feat Homeboy Sandman x Lupe Fiasco – Charlie Horse
Talib Kweli w J-Rawls w Buckshot w Skyzoo – Turnstile
Moonchild w Rae Khalil w Britteny Carter – Nothing To Prove
Nas w DJ Premier – Git Ready
Rashad Thomas – Courage

anonrocknroll’s sexycoast2coast 3-21-2026


11pm Sexy Saturday wcrsfm.org 92.7 / 98.3
wesflexner@anonrocknroll.com
Gil Scott Heron – Lady Day + John Coltrane

‘B’SederAnon
Nas + DJ Premier – Get Ready

B’SederAnon
Wes Flexner aka ANON discussion about Shalom Auslander’s recent Playboy column.
Playboy’s I Read The News Today delivers historic caliber of Playboy content expectations. Shalom dresses in traditional Jewish attire to examine people’s reactions. OY Veigh…Shalom reveals liberals aren’t antisemitic in human interactions.
Shalom confirms the idea that Nazis are antisemitic..
De La Soul – The Simple Life Of A Truth

B’SederAnon
Denzel Curry w Tia Corrine w A$ap Ferg – The Scythe
Fishbone – When Problems Arise
Beastie Boys – No Sleep Til Brooklyn
Raekwon w Nas – Omerta
Ramesh – Sharma Boose
Wild Style Theme
Nas + DJ Premier – Writers

Atmosphere – Scapegoat

B’SederANON
Nas w DJ Premier – Bouquet
Sha Rock + Lisa Lee WHBI 105.9
El-P – True Story

WesFlexner- ANONROCKNROLL PODCAST QNA’s

Fishbone’s Chris Dowd Discusses Fishbone’s In Your Face Album

Glen E Friedman Discusses Fearless Vampire Killers Bad Brains’ Book

Bobbito Conversation About Bobbito’s Book of Basketball

Danny Goldberg Liberals with Attitude: The Rodney King Beating and the Fight for the Soul of Los Angeles conversation

Roddy Bottum of Faith No More/Imperial Teen Conversation about the Royal WE

Slug of Atmosphere Conversation about Renee Good, ICE, ETC

Katrina Brownlee And Then Came The Blues Conversation

Sinkane We Belong Conversation About Bilal, Money Mark etc

BSA Hip Hop 2-19-2026

BSA by ZOOK aka JEK 182


7pm Thursday 92.7 / 98.3 wcrsfm.org
wesflexner@anonrocknroll.com
Columbus, ohio
Roberto Garcia discusses Wexner questioning
Nas w DJ Premier – Pause Tapes
Stetsasonic featuring Jesse Jackson – A.F.R.I.C.A.
El-P – True Story
Rashida Tlaib comments about Wexner’s questioning.
Lord Jah Monte Ogbon w bbymutha – 360 Photo
OC – Times Up

ANON BSA/ io
De La Soul – Good Health
De La Soul w Nas – Run It Back
Nas w DJ Premier – Writers

AURA Can’t Be Stopped x CERN BSA / io
Atmosphere – Scapegoat

ANON io bsa
Jasmine Crockett comments about Wexner questioning.
Slick Rick – Hey Young World
Mavi w Earl Sweatshirt – Landgrab
Mobb Deep – Discontinued
Eyedea w Blueprint – Before + After
Thundercat w Lil Yachty – I Did This To Myself
Denzel Curry w Tia Corrine w A$ap Ferg – The Scythe

BSAHipHop 1-15-2026: Slug from Atmosphere

BSA by ZOOK aka JEK 182


BSA Hip Hop 7pm Thursdays replay midnight
wesflexner@anonrocknroll.com
Wes Flexner interviews Minneapolis Rhymesayers Hip Hop epistolarian Slug about Renee Good, talking about ICE with kids, MF Doom, Kurious, Dank Daze, Rhymesayers, Black Starr, Ultra-Magnetic Mc’s and MSK.
instrumentals: El Michels Affair – 24 Hour Sports...Badbadnotgood
Atmosphere – Really?
The Lost Boys – Renee
Atmosphere – 7th Street Entry
Buckshot w KRS-1 w Slug of Atmosphere – You Made It
Problems Have a History – Tariq Ali 
Soul Position – Exhale
Atmosphere – Guns And Cigarettes
Atmosphere feat Kurious – Kilowatts

Wes Flexner aka ANON’s North American College Community Chart 2025’s Album of the Year
Ultra Magnetic MC’s – Poppa Large
Nas + DJ Premier- Writers
Atmosphere – Scapegoat
Atmosphere – Daley
Nas w DJ Premier – Nasty Escobar Nasir

BSA Hip Hop January 8, 2026

BSA by ZOOK aka JEK 182

BSA Rap 7pm Thursday wcrsfm.org 92.7 / 98.3 replay midnight – host – Wes Flexner
Dublin Scioto High School Protested Ice Attempting Car Jacking Parents Picking Up Their Children
De La Soul w Nas – Run It Back
Nas + DJ Premier – Writers
De La Soul – Package
ICE CAR-JACKING – DEMOCRACY NOW “Terror & Chaos”: Minneapolis Reels After ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Renee Good, Mother of 3
De La Soul show Native Tongue love 2 Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler The Creator + Denzel Curry
Earl Sweatshirt – Gamma
Denzel Curry w Saul Williams – Mental
Nas w DJ Premier – Pause Tapes
Clipse w Tyler, The Creator – P.O.V.
Atmosphere feat Kurious – Kilowatts
Danger Doom w Sparklehorse w Patrick Carney – Ninjasaurus
Mavis Staples – Sad + Beautiful World
Run The Jewels w Mavis Staples – Pulling The Pin
Jay Swifa w Vada – Funeral
Blueprint – Black Plates
Big L w Nas – U Ain’t Gotta Chance
Mobb Deep w Clipse – Look At Me
Ghostface w Badbadnotgood – Food
Bob Dylan – John Birch Society Blues

Wes Flexner’s Rock N Roll Show 1-7-2026

92.7 / 98.3 wcrsfm.org  Wednesdays 7pm
wesflexner@anonrocknroll.com
Calvin Johnson – Bubbles, Clouds + Rainbow
VickiAnderson – The Land of ….
Sharp Pins – With A Girl Like Mine
Peoples’ Choice – I Like to Do It
Horsegirl – Switch Over Switch Off
Lil Uzi Vert – XO Life
Gorilla Biscuits – Degradation
Shout-out 2 Dublin Scioto High School for Protesting ICE’s Attempted Car Jackings.
Turnstile – Sailin
Clairo – Love Songs
Paimon Gate – From Womb To Cauldron
Third Pyramid Band – Runnin
Earth – Blue Suede Shoes
Issac’s Movement – Vykkii
D’angelo w AZ – Lady DJ Premier Remix
ZZ Top – Tush
Ahmad Jamal Trio – I Love Music
ElMichelsAffair-TakeMyHand featuring Rashaan Roland Kirk
Lou Johnson – The Beat

ANON’s SexyCoast2Coast 1-3-2026


11pm Sexy Saturday
wcrsfm.org 92.7 / 98.3
De La Soul w Nas – Run It Back

North American College Community Albums Of the Year
Nas w DJ Premier – Writers
Mobb Deep w Clipse – Look At Me
Nas w DJ Premier – Pause Tapes
Wu Tang – Wu Wear
2 Chains feat Alchemist – Generation
Clipse w Tyler – P.O.V.
Nas w DJ Premier – Bouquet
Roxanne Shante – Horny
ZZ Top – Bad Girl
De La Soul – Package

Do Ice Raids Make January 6 Kool? Nope!
the curfew aka ANON’s Sexy Coast 2 Coast wesflexner@anonrocknroll.com