Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
4th out of 699 books
—
479 voters
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991
This is the never-before-told story of the musical revolution that happened right under the nose of the Reagan Eighties--when a small but sprawling network of bands, labels, fanzines, radio stations, and other subversives reenergized American rock with punk rock's do-it-yourself credo and created music that was deeply personal, often brilliant, always challenging, and imme...more
Paperback, 522 pages
Published
July 2nd 2002
by Back Bay Books
(first published 2001)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
![[P]](http://d.gr-assets.com/users/1368277303p2/3355797.jpg)
When I was 17 I was in a band; it didn’t last very long as I was [am] a difficult person to get along with, certainly within a group dynamic. There were problems from the first, mostly due to the fact that I refused to sing any of the guitar player’s sappy acoustic love songs, preferring my own hateful, excruciatingly loud, compositions. We actually split up following a gig [you could say during it, in fact]; our gigs, on my insistence, started with a cover of this Sam Cooke song: http://www.you...more
5 likes · like · see review
view all 15 comments
as a kid i assumed punk & hardcore was an inherently right-wing music; from the safe confines of long island it seemed the nose-ringed & mohawked or shirtless & skinheaded were all about death and destruction and i naturally figured they'd be so inclined to support the party which always seemed to advocate dropping bombs on brown people and throwing a bit of 'fuck you' to the poor. yeah, dead wrong about the punks and a bit of a caricature regarding the grand ol' party. must admit i...more
25 likes · like · see review
I missed the entire “Indie Revolution” as I spent the late 80’s – early 90’s first as a psychically fragile (nearly suicidal) drifter-type (though I worked sporadically) living in Baltimore without a music collection, then as a wash-up living back in my parents’ basement in small town Delaware, and finally as a practitioner of Zen and social isolate living in Denver who listened to little more than classical music. This book helped me immeasurably in catching up with the past I missed while it w...more
16 likes · like · see review
Wow, what a read. The big plus for this tome is that Azerrad spills as much ink on some bands who were slipping off the radar - notably Mission of Burma (at least at the time the hardcover was published, pre-reunion) - and on how he's able to let the story of one band from this geographic region lead into this band from that region... so at the end the reader has an idea of how 6,7,8 different little underground scenes birthed a nationwide network that is still around and supporting interesting...more
This one took me a while to get through and occasionally led to existential crises in the nature of, "WHY AM I READING A 50 PAGE CHAPTER ABOUT THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST?"
There are certainly places where this book delves into "More information than I could possibly need about people I really don't care about." But overall, this is a fascinating reading experience, and I think just about any level of information a reader goes in with (as l...more
There are certainly places where this book delves into "More information than I could possibly need about people I really don't care about." But overall, this is a fascinating reading experience, and I think just about any level of information a reader goes in with (as l...more
10 likes · like · see review
I have read the chapters on Black Flag and The Minutemen and am loving this book. It revived so many old feelings and memories, and I didn't know it was possible to love Mike Watt any more than I already did, but I find myself even more enamored of The Minutemen. Next I think I'll skip to the Husker Du chapter--should be interesting in light of Bob Mould's recent 'coming-out' memoir.
I just finished the book and absolutely adored it. I think Azerrad does a brilliant job of tracing the geography o...more
I just finished the book and absolutely adored it. I think Azerrad does a brilliant job of tracing the geography o...more
I loved this book. Azerad profiles bands like Black Flag, Minutemen, Mission of BUrma, Butthole Surfers, Sonic Youth, Big BLack, Minor Threat, The Replacements, Fugazi, BEat Happening, Mudhoney, and Dinosaur Jr. It's the royaly of 80s underground music in America.
There are bands that could have been incouded, namely the Pixies, but Azerad wanted to focus on bands that made a big splash in America. And while the Pixies were an American band, they were on 4AD, an English label. They began to hit...more
There are bands that could have been incouded, namely the Pixies, but Azerad wanted to focus on bands that made a big splash in America. And while the Pixies were an American band, they were on 4AD, an English label. They began to hit...more
2 likes · like · see review
This is such a GUY book. The band histories are filled with the drama and backbiting you would expect from teenage girls, but are posited as Very Important Cultural Happenings. I guess that would be its strength, and it's entire reason for existing: documenting a whole bunch of assholes and taking them seriously, even at their most hapless and idiotic. I mean, he manages to write a deathly serious chapter on Black Flag, whereas I just giggle at the thought of Henry Rollins circa '81, standing on...more
This was an interesting book, but not for the reason I had expected. I initially bought the book because I was listening to some of the 1980s underground bands that were featured in it, like Husker Du, Black Flag, and The Replacements, and wanted to learn more about them. Instead, I found that the stories about how the indie underground was founded to be more interesting. Learning more about the economics of the industry (of the lack thereof), and what it was exactly like to play music in those...more
This is rock writing that's as good as rock itself. Michael Azzerad traces the rise and--well, endurance--of American indie rock through astute (and often very funny) profiles of many of the bands that paved the way for Nirvana, Pearl Jam, et. al. These pioneers, some forgotten except for a few aging thrashers and some still either going strong or head-banging in people's memories, include The Minutemen, Mission of Burma, The Replacements, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. Butthole Surfers, Hüsker Dü, F...more
This was a landmark book that arguably helped with the resurgence of underground-alternative-indie rock from the 1980s; causing the reuniting or re-popularity of Mission of Burma, Dinosaur Jr, Bob Mould (Husker Du), etc. This book was monumental to my appreciation of underground music. I am an avid lover of music, ranging from indie to post-punk to garage to hardcore punk to experimental music. Reading this work was at times moving and deeply touched my musical chords. Perhaps that is my bias, b...more
Our Band Could Be Your Life is probably the most compelling book on music that I’ve read since Simon Reynolds’ Rip it Up and Start Again. Published in 2001, Michael Azerrad was the first to sing the praises of an era of music largely overlooked: the American independent scene from 1981-1991. Our Band Could Be Your Life documents thirteen bands in particular: Black Flag, The Minutemen, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers, Big Black, Dinosaur...more
Probably the best book on music history I've ever read. Gives a solid, engaging account of thirteen indie bands from the 80s (solid enough that most of the Wikipedia articles on those bands basically regurgitate excerpts from this book), and also thoroughly explores what those bands had in common, how they fit together in a loosely-defined scene, and how that scene became seminal for the 'alternative' music that conquered the mainstream airways in the 90s. My only complaints about the book are t...more
I'm going to be candid here...wait, when am I not? This book is really only for the hard-core music fans. The ones that want to know everything about it. From the formation and inspiration of the music to the gritty work ethics so many musicians and bands take to make it.
What I love best about this one this is that this book is purely about true indie bands. These were the bands that didn't want to sign with major-labels bc they felt it would sacrifice their integrity and the integrity of the m...more
What I love best about this one this is that this book is purely about true indie bands. These were the bands that didn't want to sign with major-labels bc they felt it would sacrifice their integrity and the integrity of the m...more
Our Band Could Be Your Life is a well-reported and decently written account of a turn of the gyre in the American independent rock scene, this particular era ending with Nirvana's explosion.
The chapters could all function as stand-alones, but given the overlapping nature of the scene at that point, Azerrad's book deserves to be read as a whole. The personalities (particularly of the 'Mats and the B.H. Surfers) come through so strongly and with so much wit, that the best chapters would have me a...more
The chapters could all function as stand-alones, but given the overlapping nature of the scene at that point, Azerrad's book deserves to be read as a whole. The personalities (particularly of the 'Mats and the B.H. Surfers) come through so strongly and with so much wit, that the best chapters would have me a...more
Our Band Could Be Your Life is the most absorbing book about music I have ever read. While it's not perfect, it's essential reading for anyone interested in independent music, be it of the era covered by this book (1981-1991) or today. Composed of about a dozen profiles of bands from across the country, it's long-form journalism at its best. Interesting tid bits (and occasionally scandalous details) abound, but more importantly the larger portraits of each of these bands feel close to definitive...more
Ah, memories of my youth -- the hardcore and indie bands of the early 80's. Each chapter chronicles a different band. The writing isn't great, and tends to focus on the sensational (fights, drunkenness, general debauchery -- standard rock-n-roll stuff), but considering this is one of the only books available that chronicles this period, it's a good resource. Strange that there isn't more written about 80's indie, because it was much more interesting, both musically and socially, than 70's punk r...more
Really cool book, especially if you were born ten to fifteen years before I was. Aside from Sonic Youth and the Replacements, I knew next to nothing about these bands, and most I had never heard before -- one (Beat Happening) I'd never even heard of. (Embarrassing to admit as a Washingtonian). Still, the collection was well written and interesting. Every single piece of music writing I've ever read always falls into that ridiculous and annoying hyperbolic bullshit of like "X's bass notes and Y's...more
Surprisingly disappointing collection of stories about bands I suddenly remembered I didn't care all that much about in the first place. I had read about all my favorites -- the Replacements, Husker Du, Minutemen -- while standing in the aisles of Barnes and Noble, so I had already hit the high points. After a couple of chapters, the stories kinda meld into one -- two weirdos meet in high school and start playing songs, then meet another goofball and go on tour; they aren't very good and the aud...more
I've always thought music writing was pretentious, boring, and not very good, but Our Band Could Be Your Life has proven me wrong. I may have missed this pivotal era in music history (boo!) but Michael Azerrad brings the scene and the music to life in a way that stirred up feelings in me as if I had really been there. I've always been a big fan of Black Flag, Minor Threat and Fugazi, but after reading this book I think I might actually be in love. Before I dismissed the Butthole Surfers; now I'm...more
Very entertaining. Made me wish I liked the Butthole Surfers' music, given how funny those assholes are... and confirmed that I still think Mudhoney is totally boring.
It was fun in to learn who's friends with who and about the making of a national network of bands that just wanted to melt your face.
Black Flag's "My War" got like 34 mentions in the book, and only half were in the Black Flag chapter.
Of note: a few years ago I heard a Replacements record at a party and thought "WOW these guys ar...more
It was fun in to learn who's friends with who and about the making of a national network of bands that just wanted to melt your face.
Black Flag's "My War" got like 34 mentions in the book, and only half were in the Black Flag chapter.
Of note: a few years ago I heard a Replacements record at a party and thought "WOW these guys ar...more
Gotta go with Tim on this one, this was pivotal in my musical development at the time that I came across this book. My own explorations had been inching me closer to that whole area of music, so this book turned out to be a good companion throughout. Real fun read for lovers of the music!
Bought this in my mid teens as i wanted to read about the histories of Sonic Youth, Minor Threat, Black Flag and Fugazi (the latter of these 4 bands i never actually read in full). Azerrad champions these bands as heroes of the American underground scene of the time who would later pave the way for a trio of Seattle, Washington natives called Nirvana (i've never heard of them either).
For 3 years i read this book on a somewhat regular basis and eventually read the backgrounds and histories of som...more
For 3 years i read this book on a somewhat regular basis and eventually read the backgrounds and histories of som...more
This is the type of book, that had I read it several years ago, would have definitely made me feel more inspired to actually be in a band (I mean, I was playing drums for a hot minute). Of the 13 bands chronicled, most are bands that I respect rather than harbor strong attachment. However, there are a few that I really love or have loved in the past (Mission of Burma, Replacements, Husker Du, Fugazi, Sonic Youth) and the last chapter on Beat Happening showcases a mythology and style still very m...more
This is right up there with "Please Kill Me" and "The True Adventures of The Rolling Stones" as one of those foundational rocknroll books with a "You Are There" feeling throughout. Basically, if you were under the impression that punk died when Mick Jones got kicked out of The Clash and wasn't revived until Nirvana released Nevermind, do yourself a favor and read this book. Yes, there are a few omissions (okay, just one that kind of sticks out in my mind. Meat Puppets. They're mentioned several...more
FINALLY! A book that has all my favorite bands. Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Dinosaur Jr., Butthole Surfers, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat etc. This is the best book you can read for music. I recommend it to anybody who likes Punk Rock or even just any kind of music.
Basically Azerad does a mini-bio of most of the punk bands and underground indie bands. The most interesting part, is he is basically questioning how Nirvana came out of nowhere and became one of America's most popular bands ever...more
Basically Azerad does a mini-bio of most of the punk bands and underground indie bands. The most interesting part, is he is basically questioning how Nirvana came out of nowhere and became one of America's most popular bands ever...more
This book is a must-read for anyone who is or was into indie music. Although it's obviously biased toward tracing a straight line from the early American punk/hardcore into the explosion of bands like Nirvana into the mainstream, it does an excellent job at that. Plus, Azerrad's street cred is solidified by including lesser known and seminal bands like The Minutemen and Mission of Burma (the latter of which I previously knew little about).
Azerrad's strength is his ability to dish serious dirt o...more
Azerrad's strength is his ability to dish serious dirt o...more
Much of the material covered in this book happened right around the same time I was coming-of-age so it's difficult sometimes not to read this through rose tinted glasses. For me, it was great to fill in some of the backstory of bands that I'd known about or had listened to and to see how their first footsteps into the DIY world may have lead ultimately to the breakout success of Nirvana (note: if Malcolm Gladwell came along and did a Tipping Point-style book on this subject I would probably die...more
I am a hardcore junkie of a fan for the Minutemen. Michael Azzerad really captures that early 80s so-cal punk scene. I spent college and time since discovering and falling in love with (again) all that amazingly creative output. Minutemen, Big Boys, Black Flag, Sonic Youth, Descendants, All, (further east) Husker Du, Saccharine Trust, Overkill, Saint Vitus, Dead Kennedys, (a little north) D.O.A., Dickies, Agent Orange, (DC) Bad Brains, (NYC) Ludichrist, Government Issue, Gorila Biscuits, JFA, DR...more
Brought back a tremendous amount of nostalgia for music scenes that I was not a part of or didn't hear until long after it was hip. I missed all these bands until I was off to college in the late 80s, I spent the time frame of this book listening to the top 40 or "mainstream alternative" music many of these bands were raging against. The profiles get a little samey as the books goes on (there are only so many ways to tell the same stories of dysfunctional bandmates, low pay, punk living conditio...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Rock'n'roll is a teenage sport, meant to be played by teenagers of all ages--they could be 15, 25 or 35. It all boils down to whether they've got the love in their hearts, that beautiful teenage spirit... -Calvin Johnson”
—
11 people liked it
More quotes…
