Drowned in Sound

Search

Drowned in Sound Event sponsored tours and events.

Home > Community > Music forum

good rock biographies

no votes
? by soapy
ive the tim/jeff buckley one, and one of the better led zeppelin ones, one of henry rollins books and im currently hooked on motley crues the dirt
but what other good rock books/biographies are there that i should read ?
soapy | 01 Jul '05, 20:28 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

I quite liked the Kurt Cobain one - I forget it's name but it tried to imply Courtney Love was dodgy.

Recently read the Green Day & New Punk Explosion one, it's ok but has too many asides. The author is more interested in dazzling with his pop culture knowledge than his subject who he never appears to engage.
Patricide | 1 Jul '05, 20:31 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

Our band could be your life - the story of the US underground in the 80's with chapters on Dinosaur Jr, Minutemen, Black Flag, Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma etc etc. Even if you don't know/particularly like those bands it's still worth a read. Best music book I've ever read.

The Pavement bio 'Perfect Sound Forever' is not a bad read but only really if yer a fan. Only took me an afternoon to read it.

I'm looking forward to the day a book is written about the Pixies that is worth reading.

Also, are there any books written about the Scottish music scene? If not....well there should be!
Kleeb | 1 Jul '05, 20:31 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

"Everything"- A book about the Manic Street Preachers by Simon Price. Fab.
"Touching From a Distance"- Deborah Curtis.
marilyninthesky | 1 Jul '05, 20:33 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

Soapy - brilliant topic you've got there.

I read a lot of books, but rock bios are definitely the ones I can't put down.

Am currently reading Motley Crue's Dirt. I don't know much about the band's music, but the book is hilarious.

One of the most interesting rock biogs I've recently read is the Carter USM one by Jim Bob.

Pavement one disappointed me, as it was so short.

Charlatans one you can pick up for cheap, but is a bit boring.

Iron Maiden, Run to the Hills is a great book. I'm not a fan of their music, but it's a fascinating story.

Steve Lamacq's book is a cracking read.

Not a book, but I saw the Flaming Lips docum. Fearless Freaks the other day. Now THAT is an awesome insight into an amazing band. And so is the Year That Punk Broke, the Sonic Youth film.
weak_lager | 1 Jul '05, 20:48 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

Passion Is A Fashion, The Real Story Of The Clash-Pat Gilbert. £5 in Fopp just now and a good read.
cadd | 1 Jul '05, 20:52 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

Don't know if you would classify it as "rock", but Anthony Kiedis' biography is fantastic and highly readable. He did alot of drugs....
captainpoohat | 1 Jul '05, 20:52 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

the dirt is amazing ... i can barely put the thing down, i doubt you could make some of this stuff up if you tried.
the rise and rise and rise, then fall and rise again of motley crue is perfect movie material (but they'd probably have to tone it down a bit to get passed the censors)
soapy | 1 Jul '05, 20:57 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

Has anyone read Mark Radcliffes bio? Didn't he used to be in nazi oi band Skrewdriver or is that a vicious rumour?!!!
Kleeb | 1 Jul '05, 21:01 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

He did but before they became a nazi band
cadd | 1 Jul '05, 21:11 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

any of the john peel books worth reading ?

i was tempted when i saw one was by mick wall, but ive read its meant to be a bit heartless and clinical
soapy | 1 Jul '05, 21:12 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

I've read the bio of peel by Michael Heatley....it's ok but it just felt like it was a rush job after his death.
Kleeb | 1 Jul '05, 21:14 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

Isn't Shiela his wife doing a proper autobiography?

I'd wait for that, some of them seemed to spring up days after his death.
tom_from_sparks | 1 Jul '05, 21:16 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

The Mike Wall one is rubbish. I didn't find it too heartless just poorly researched. It was obviously written in a rush to catch the Christmas presents/ book tokens market.
spartacus | 1 Jul '05, 21:24 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

I wanna see that film Dig! about the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre, and how their differing attitudes towards commercialism caused rifts between them. It looks well good.
CaviarAndCigarets | 1 Jul '05, 22:13 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

I'm off to see Dig! tomorrow lunchtime.

Can't wait.

Hate the Dandy Warhols, but know I'm gonna love this film.
weak_lager | 1 Jul '05, 22:22 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: good rock biographies

His rock career was virtually non-existent but I love Mike Atherton's autobiography.
bobbygeorge | 1 Jul '05, 22:21 | Send note | Report this | Reply