Subculture Vulture

A Memoir in Six Scenes

By: Moshe Kasher

Narrated by: Moshe Kasher, Larry Wilson

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A “hilarious” (Dax Shepard), “surprisingly emotional trip” (The Chainsmokers) through deep American subcultures ranging from Burning Man to Alcoholics Anonymous, by the writer and comedian Moshe Kasher

“Part history lesson, part standup set and, often, part love letter . . . Kasher’s ability to blend humor with homework works almost too well.”—The New York Times

After bottoming out, being institutionalized, and getting sober all by the tender age of fifteen, Moshe Kasher found himself asking: “What’s next?” Over the ensuing decades, he discovered the answer: a lot.

There was his time as a boy-king of Alcoholics Anonymous, a kind of pubescent proselytizer for other teens getting and staying sober. He was a rave promoter turned DJ turned sober ecstasy dealer in San Francisco’s techno warehouse party scene of the 1990s. For fifteen years he worked as a psychedelic security guard at Burning Man, fishing hippies out of hidden chambers they’d constructed to try to sneak into the event. As a child of deaf parents, Kasher became deeply immersed in deaf culture and sign language interpretation, translating everything from end-of-life care to horny deaf clients’ attempts to hire sex workers. He reconnects and tries to make peace with his ultra-Hasidic Jewish upbringing after the death of his father before finally settling into the comedy scene where he now makes his living.

Each of these scenes gets a gonzo historiographical rundown before Kasher enters the narrative and tells the story of the lives he has spent careening from one to the next. A razor-sharp, gut-wrenchingly funny, and surprisingly moving tour of some of the most wildly distinct subcultures a person can experience, Subculture Vulture deftly weaves together memoir and propulsive cultural history. It’s a story of finding your people, over and over again, in different settings, and of knowing without a doubt that wherever you are is where you’re supposed to be.

©2024 Moshe Kasher (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“You’ll probably learn something—unless you’ve lived an identical life to his, which seems statistically impossible—and laugh in roughly equal measure . . . These abridged accounts of his life serve as part history lesson, part standup set and, often, part love letter… Kasher’s research shines through, revealing detailed histories that might surprise readers . . . Kasher’s ability to blend humor with homework works almost too well.”—New York Times

“Moshe Kasher’s travels through recovery are laid out beautifully, honestly, and effortlessly. I don’t know that I’ve read a more succinct description of the entire experience from soup to nuts. With equal parts authority and humility, Subculture Vulture is an elegant and a hilarious reminder that none of us really know anything for certain.”—Dax Shepard

“An electrifying, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional trip through the worlds Kasher has inhabited, including the one we share: the world of electronic dance music . . . He takes us on a trip through the rave scene of the nineties and you won’t feel like you ‘had to be there,’ because you’ll feel like you are.”—The Chainsmokers

Delightful

I’m so glad the writer reads his own work. Great narration and the book was a treat to listen to. I laughed, I learned a lot of neat things and couldn’t wait to pick it back up anytime I had to pause. Hope this isn’t Moshe’s last book!

Fantastic dive into Moshe's world.

I've been a fan of Moshe's for a while, so I knew I was going to like this. I was not disappointed. His performance is spot on because, well, because he wrote it. I could listen to him all day. The history taught behind each subject was fascinating. I learned new things about every single subculture he spoke about. I cried with him in sadness and laughed so hard I cried. The ending was so thoughtful, so meaningful.

I don't often reread or relisten to memoirs, but this feels different. I know I'd enjoy another go of this one.

Loved it

Funny and insightful, great narration. I particularly enjoyed the epilogue, almost had me tearing up at work. I do wish the acknowledgments were included though.

Thanks, Moshe!

This book is a privileged peek behind the curtain of the communities that make up Moshe's identity. I feel so lucky to have heard these stories.

Moshe the magnificent

I am new to Moshe Kasher. This motherfucker knows how to tell a story. Funny, cocky yet self deprecating. He is a real human telling his story without fear!!!!!

Loved it

Loved Moshe’s account of his experiences in each of these subcultures. I learned something about each and thought his delivery was funny and charming. Well done!

A beautifully specific and unique memoir

This was my favorite listen/read in years. I think Moshe Kasher has written something that is uniquely him through and through, while offering a nuanced perspective on how we experience life in a new age.

Enjoyed his writing

It was fantastic and entertaining. I could listed. To his version of religion or any topic.

Unique way to structure a memoir

High five Moshe! Your voice is needed and your perspective fantastic. And you’re hilarious. Keep writing.

What a ride

Enlightening. Entertaining. Endearing. Jump into Moshes world for a bit and maybe understand a little more about your own.