A Rock Band on the Road

Sean Ennis is a seriously talented writer, who in an earlier life found himself traveling cross-country by van as part of a garage rock band. His "Tour Diary: Excerpts" is an exceptionally written and always captivating piece of work that draws from his experiences, and details the travails of a band that's not quite famous, or "Almost Famous," but perhaps almost almost famous. Think Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady chasing rock star dreams.

Ziggy Played Guitar

Ever wake with the granddaddy of hangovers and begin to philosophize on David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust and all those spiders from mars?

Me neither... but in "David Bowie Against the Enemy" Adam Moorad's protagonist Lamb undergoes a surreal morning in his little apartment and finds himself essentially communing with Ziggy.

So, with that, I say, "Pass me the bottle...and make me an alligator."

Now the Seats Are All Empty...

Let the roadies take the stage...

No rock lit anthology is complete without a story about the crew behind the scenes: the roadies, those manning  the soundboard, etc.. In EXPERIENCED, Brian Goetz pays homage to such folks whose work--like sports officials--goes largely unnoticed unless something goes wrong.

"Heavy Lifting Days" recounts Brian's decades of experience in setting up live performances, including a few of the mishaps along the way. With the advent of digital technology a lot has changed over time, but there's something to be said for all the tricks and trials employed back in the day that might provide the perfect sound, visual or effects.

EXPERIENCED Review in The Nervous Breakdown

Caleb Powell has reviewed the book for The Nervous Breakdown and has many kind things to say. As a bass player who played in a band that struggled but had its moments, Caleb really gets it. He writes: "Anyone who loves music can understand the pull of this world of fantasy and reality; Experienced revisits and expands this dream."

Go check out the entire review at The Nervous Breakdown

Memphis' Gift to the World

 

In Corey Mesler's wildly entertaining and occasionally hilarious "The Growth and Death of Buddy Gardner," a rock critic narrator plies every $10 word at his disposal to describe a rock legend from River City, a very big star. Buddy's stay amid the limelight eventually came crashing down, but not before he'd penned such classics as "Wrong for the Right of Way," "Buttermilk Thighs," and "Haley Mills' Underpants."