Drowned in Sound

Search

Home > Reviews

siouxsie

Siouxsie & the Banshees: Siouxsie and the Banshees: The Authorised Biography

no votes
? by catwank

Siouxsie and the Banshees: The Authorised Biography is the most disappointing kind of music bio: the band shares all but in the end the book tells us nothing. Heavy on anecdote yet utterly lacking in narrative, the book is built entirely from quotations from the band members and key players in their history. The Banshees are blunt, uncompromising and direct, but writer Mark Paytress fails to produce a cohesive, comprehensive history that shows the band from the outside as well as in. This is not a primer text. Anyone exploring the work of Sioxsie and the Banshees will not find this a helpful introduction. The forward, written by Shirley Manson, provides the most context and hints at the true impact Siouxsie had on music, popular culture, and women; reading it, one wishes she authored this book instead.

Words: catwank

Comments

- Post a new comment on this article

book

What a dull review. One only paragraph.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 15 Oct '03, 11:27 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Siouxsie & Banshees, A great read!

I have been a devoted S & B fan since i first discovered them in their Hyaena days & I think this book was a real insight into the behind the scenes. Reading how while I was totally enjoying the release of their albums, all the conflicts going on. Especially on the Peepshow tour in Los Angeles, which I feel is the best time I have ever seen them live & in the background they were on the verge of splitting. All the times with Robert Smith of The Cure & Finally knowing what she really thought of him.

A fav part as well was reading about the Lollapalooza tour and what was going on with the bands. How Pretentious Nine Inch Nails performance was & how Henry Rollins was such a judgemental ass.

For someone only recently into Siouxsie & the Banshees this book might not be that interesting, but for someone who has followed them for decades & those since the start of their punk days It is a real insight to the ususally tight lipped band who never really gave much away.

ArRoNuK | 18 Oct '03, 01:03 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Siouxsie & Banshees, A great read!

Thanks!!!!!

I bought the book on the back of this review and feel a whole lot more satisfied that punk rock wasn't just Des O'Connor's latest media breakthrough circa 1977s great media eva (revo) lution.

Dom G.
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 18 Oct '03, 23:43 | Send note | Report this | Reply


© DrownedinSound.com | From the Archive - A Month In Records: July 2007