Basement Songs

by Scott Malchus

One song. One moment in a lifetime of music.

Basement songs hold a special place in our hearts. Decades may pass when suddenly one of these melodies begins playing, instantly reminding you of the time and place it first sank its hooks into your heart or into your soul. It doesn't matter if it was at work, in a car, on your friend’s radio, or in your parents’ basement. What does matter is the music and how it still affects you.

In this unique collection of essays, Scott Malchus explores the songs that influenced and guided him throughout the years: from his discovery of popular music as performed by a green felt puppet to the rock anthems played by a Journey cover band. In between, life-long friendships are forged, true love is found and adversity is met head-on. Each defining moment in his life married to a song and each song an anchor to an everlasting memory. Basement Songs is a journey full of heart, humor and above all, a love of music.

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2012

About the author

From LuLu.com "When not obsessing about the Cleveland Indians or Bruce Springsteen's next album, Scott Malchus writes screenplays, novels, comic books and the popular "Basement Songs" feature for Popdose.com. In 2003, he wrote and directed the movie, King’s Highway, a micro-budget romantic comedy which was shot in 14 days for $5000. Scott and his family live in the Los Angeles area where they are tirelessly involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and finding a cure for the disease. BASEMENT SONGS is his first book.

100% of the profits from the sale of his book Basement Songs will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation."

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malchus, my colleague at Popdose, has fashioned an episodic memoir from the music that has formed his life's soundtrack, from the first song he loved ("The Rainbow Connection," by Kermit the Frog) to the one that he links to his late brother-in-law (Porcupine Tree's "Trains"), whose death last year devastated him and spurred him on to write the book. Between those bookends (and a foreword from Popdose editor-in-chief Jeff Giles), Scott writes about the brotherhood with his high school friends; the beauty within his relationships with his wife, Julie, and their children, Sophie and Jacob; the fear for Jacob's life, a life spent battling cystic fibrosis; and other aspects and moments and adventures located in the nooks and crannies of a life. He does so with grace and wit, and an uncanny knack for expressing in words the deepest aspects of the human condition in the most direct and effective way. His capable way with a story was evident when the bulk of these pieces ran in column form at Popdose, but compiled here, the cumulative power of those stories is impressive, to say the least.

I have to admit I find Basement Songs so affecting in part due to the similarities between Scott's experiences with music and my own. To link specific songs to specific instances or periods in one's life is a more or less universal thing, at least to music lovers, but Scott and I are the same age, give or take a few months, and many of the same artists that made this book -- Petty, Journey, Indigo Girls, Springsteen, the Beatles, etc. -- are common touchstones, and we are bonded by our mutual love of mix tapes and appreciation for their communicative powers. There are specific moments when our soundtracks align, though for different reasons -- Robbie Robertson's "What About Now," Crowded House's "Distant Sun," the Who's "Baba O'Reilly," and a couple others have significance in my life as well, and it occurs to me that one day I should share my stories on the page or screen, too.

Such is the inspiring nature of Scott's work, the stories behind that work, and the reasons the work exists in this form -- 100 percent of the profits from Basement Songs will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Basement Songs is a quick read (and an inexpensive one, for you Kindle and Nook users -- six bucks!), but the stories Scott tells are deep and lasting. This is only fitting -- they represent a lifetime’s experience, and a lifetime’s worth of songs.

[Sophie Malchus · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something special about reading something your dad wrote. Let alone a book full of his memories. While on the plane to Denver, I finally sat down and read my dad’s book “Basement Songs” and boy was it an emotional rollercoaster. I cried, laughed, and even found myself anxious at points even though I know how this love story ends. To read how proud my dad was of me when I was so little embodies the love that this man has. To be loved by him is the greatest gift. Dad, thank you for letting me be there through the hard times and showing me that it is okay to feel emotions. I am truly honored to be your daughter.

If this hasn’t convinced you to read Basement Songs, here is me flat out telling you. Read Basement Songs and listen to the songs that go with it as you read. Also all proceeds go towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so it is a win win for everyone!

https://a.co/d/0CJUORn

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of basement songs on Popdose, so I was looking forward to the book Scott put together. I was not disappointed! What a treat. Scott's smart and descriptive writing style lets the reader into the story easily. I love the nostalgia of it and the layout. He tells his story through the music, as in the Popdose articles, but also gives a current story of how his family is growing and changing. How he chose these particular stories out of the plethora of stories he's written for Popdose to tell this cohesive piece is amazing. A feat in itself. I really enjoyed it. Get yourself a copy...ALL of the proceeds go to finding cure for Cystic Fibrosis. http://www.lulu.com/shop/scott-malchu...

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of essays on songs and what they meant to the author was a fast and enjoyable read. We are close to the same age, but don't have similar experiences, but it was interesting and I like the idea of exploring your history through the songs you listened to. Bonus - all the proceeds of the book go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the book looks like a mixtape.

[Dick Grunert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of non fiction, but this book is funny, poignant and wonderful. Highly recommended.