The Ramones And Temecula Paraeducator Rock In 'Gabba Gabba Hey'

TEMECULA, CA — A paraeducator from Temecula is one of several writers from around the globe whose work was picked for a new Ramones-inspired anthology released on the 45th anniversary of the first gig the New York punk band ever played outside of the United States.

Released by the U.K.'s Fahrenheit Press, the 182-page book "Gabba Gabba Hey" contains 24 short fiction stories inspired by the Ramones. The book's title is a nod to the catchphrase that was included in the band's 1977 song, "Pinhead."

Temecula-based author Kevin David Anderson, who penned the cult fave "Night of the Living Trekkies" and 2019’s "Midnight Men: The Supernatural Adventures of Earl and Dale," was selected from hundreds of international writers to contribute fiction to "Gabba Gabba Hey."

A Ramones fan since he was a teenager, Anderson saw the band for the first time in the early 198os at the Wilson Theater in Fresno.

“The Ramones were one of those bands that really inspired. It didn’t matter if you were a musician, sculptor, painter, or even a writer, they just made you want to create, and do your own thing,” Anderson said.

Anderson’s contribution takes its inspiration from the Ramones’ song "The KKK Took My Baby Away" and is a commentary on racial inequality, set in the past but with modern-day overtones.

Over the past two decades, Anderson has contributed to more than 50 anthologies, but this one means the most to him.

"I’m thrilled I was selected to be a part of this project," he said.

Before becoming a writer, Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in communications and worked as a marketing professional for more than a decade. These days, he's a Temecula Valley Unified School District paraeducator and is pursuing a career in special education.

According to his website, KevinDavidAnderson.com, the author has a penchant for the dark side. In addition to his many works, he is a member of the Horror Writers Association.

U.K publisher Chris McVeigh of Fahrenheit Press explained that he crossed paths with Anderson after putting out an international call to authors for "Gabba Gabba Hey."

“We asked writers from all over the world to choose a Ramone's song and write a story inspired by that song. The resulting 24 stories contained in this anthology are as varied as the songs themselves ranging through the crime, horror and music genres including writers from all across the world — some of whom knew or even played with the Ramones,” McVeigh said.

For example, the anthology kicks off with a firsthand account written by David Noonan (drummer and founding member of punk stalwarts The Cryptkeeper Five), where he recounts the night he backed up Joey Ramone on the drums.

"Gabba Gabba Hey" was released July 4 — the 45th anniversary of the first gig international gig for the band at The Roundhouse in Camden, England. The book has been released in a special 8.5-inch by 8.5-inch square print size to mimic the shape of a record album, available in hardback, paperback, and ebook, according to the publisher.

For more information and a complete table of contents, go to the publisher’s website here. The book is available on Amazon at "Gabba Gabba Hey."