A hilarious inside look at the real business of popular music by the drummer of Semisonic that does for rock and roll what Jim Bouton's Ba... read full description
reviews
Jul 07, 2008
Jodi
rated it: 
This is my plea to all rockstars past, present, and future: If you ever write a book about rockstardom please, please, please, pretty please with cocaine and slutty groupies on top DO NOT spend pages explaining recoupable debt.
Read the rest on iwilldare.com
Read the rest on iwilldare.com
3 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
May 13, 2011
Marcin
rated it: 
"'Are you the drummer for Everclear?'
No, I'm the drummer for Semisonic, and this is my story."
Timid, inexperienced, and insecure, and given to "goony" grins and fears of vomiting all over his drum set, Jacob Slichter is the perfect anti-star to narrate the improbable rise and fall of a (dare I use the one-hit-wonder label?) rock band. When he forms Semisonic with friends and industry old hands Dan and John, he finds himself on the outside looking in, and we, More...
No, I'm the drummer for Semisonic, and this is my story."
Timid, inexperienced, and insecure, and given to "goony" grins and fears of vomiting all over his drum set, Jacob Slichter is the perfect anti-star to narrate the improbable rise and fall of a (dare I use the one-hit-wonder label?) rock band. When he forms Semisonic with friends and industry old hands Dan and John, he finds himself on the outside looking in, and we, More...
Jul 28, 2010
Rachel
rated it: 
I discovered this book existed by following Dan Wilson on Facebook. Wilson made a reference to this book, which immediately intrigued me. I put a hold on it at my local library and began to read it immediately.
I actually became a fan of Semisonic near the end of their heightened popularity. I was a college student who had a radio show with the campus radio station. I think their album All About Chemistry was in the new release section of the studio. We as DJs were required to pl More...
I actually became a fan of Semisonic near the end of their heightened popularity. I was a college student who had a radio show with the campus radio station. I think their album All About Chemistry was in the new release section of the studio. We as DJs were required to pl More...
Jul 10, 2009
From Gapers Block:
About the Book: Jacob Slichter is Harvard graduate and an NPR contributor. But his most profiled career achievement was being the drummer for the 90s multiplatinum-selling band Semisonic. Slichter's memories of starting as a humble band to the overwhelming feeling of playing arenas after the success of their hit song "Closing Time" truly leave you feeling like you've been in a band that was catapulted into the spotlight.
Why I like it: After being in More...
About the Book: Jacob Slichter is Harvard graduate and an NPR contributor. But his most profiled career achievement was being the drummer for the 90s multiplatinum-selling band Semisonic. Slichter's memories of starting as a humble band to the overwhelming feeling of playing arenas after the success of their hit song "Closing Time" truly leave you feeling like you've been in a band that was catapulted into the spotlight.
Why I like it: After being in More...
Jun 16, 2009
Johnriem
rated it:
this is the first book i read using the free kindle for iphone application. slichter was the drummer for the 1990s alternative rock band semisonic, who, despite much critical acclaim prior to their album feeling strangely fine, are now solely known for their #1 hit "closing time." slichter's book traces the bands journey from obscurity to overnight superstardom and back-- a rags to riches to rags story, if you will. slichter does a good job describing the machinations of the music busi
More...
Nov 22, 2011
Jason
rated it:
So You Wanna Be A Rock And Roll Star is the book you or I might write if we were to trade places for five years with someone who had just scored a major-label record deal (and hopefully had some actual musical talent as well). It's a remarkably clear-eyed and self-aware chronicle of a trip through the looking glass of fame and back again. Slichter, drummer for Semisonic (remember "Closing Time"?), chronicles his wild ride with an Everyman mixture of bewilderment and lust (for affirmati
More...
Dec 07, 2009
Trisha
rated it:
I bought this book so I could research the music industry and what it is actually like being on tour, etc. as I was writing a story (AM writing a story I should say) that involves rock bands on tour. Plus my main character is not a druggie so I thought she could relate to Slichter's lack of drug/groupie action.
I found this book fascinating and depressing all at once...but there were many funny moments, made all the more funny because the story is true. I like how Slichter is always t More...
I found this book fascinating and depressing all at once...but there were many funny moments, made all the more funny because the story is true. I like how Slichter is always t More...
Dec 16, 2007
Matthew
rated it:
This memoir from Semisonic's drummer is mildly entertaining, but a bit depressing. Made me especially thankful to not have to rely on idiotic record labels to determine the course of my career. I thought there would be better stories in the book, but he generally takes a sad-sack tone and talks about missed opportunities rather than anything truly entertaining.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 15, 2011
Bill
rated it:
If I could give this book six stars, I would. It was absolutely, and as a musician, this is one of the best real-life books written about being a musician that I've read.
I don't know how much more I can say specifically about the book other than the fact that I loved it and was drawn in from word one. I could have finished it in a single sitting had I the time to do so.
If you are a musician, definitely read this book. If you are just a music fan, you should still probably r More...
I don't know how much more I can say specifically about the book other than the fact that I loved it and was drawn in from word one. I could have finished it in a single sitting had I the time to do so.
If you are a musician, definitely read this book. If you are just a music fan, you should still probably r More...
Dec 16, 2009
christa
rated it:
memoir of the former drummer of semisonic (closing time). seems like it should have been more funny and anecdotal and less about numbers and sales.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 21, 2010
Monica
rated it:
Slichter's a pretty damn good writer. I never heard of his band, Semisonic, prior to reading the book but it got some excellent reviews that piqued my interest. They were, I guess, the sort of decent band that wanted the big bucks and got made into sausage by the corporate music machine. Slichter's a smart guy and his self-depreciating and humorous anecdotes help make his story of the corporate rock machine palatable, if not at times, quite enjoyable.
Considering how many god-awful rock More...
Considering how many god-awful rock More...
May 11, 2009
Kid
rated it:
An almost perfect encapsulation of the absurdity of the major label music game. . .this guy was a schlubby looking drummer in a band with one hit (remember "Closing Time"?). . .
It's a great rags to fame to rags again story w/o the typical descent into sordid self-destruction. Slichter managed to escape fairly unscathed.
Anyway - it was an enjoyable read and yet another reminder that shattered illusions are the bread and butter of many music biz memoirs. But to b More...
It's a great rags to fame to rags again story w/o the typical descent into sordid self-destruction. Slichter managed to escape fairly unscathed.
Anyway - it was an enjoyable read and yet another reminder that shattered illusions are the bread and butter of many music biz memoirs. But to b More...
Jan 19, 2009
Owen
rated it:
This is a book by the drummer of the band Semisonic, who had a big hit with “Closing Time” in the late 90s. It’s a little bit like a VH1 Behind the Music, but instead of talking about groupies and drug abuse, it goes into the business aspect of being in a band, and how once you sign a record contract you are immediately hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. I loved all of the references to the bands that were around at the time that the book covers, and could relate to some of the stage an
More...
Jun 08, 2011
Benjamin
rated it:
Autobiographies of musicians are almost uniformly indulgent but this contribution by Semisonic drummer Jacob Slichter is a refreshing change. Perhaps because he was in his thirties when he achieved success or perhaps because he was clearly the third-most important member of his trio, his narrative is consistently tempered with self-effacing humor and slight sense of wonderment that anyone cares about his band at all.
Quite unintentionally, this book is also an interesting period p More...
Nov 03, 2007
David
rated it:
If you're not offended by regular droppings of the F-bomb, this book is a fabulous read. Some say it's the definitive expose to date of the American recording business. Parts of it are hilarious, parts of it are reflective & sobering, all of it is fascinating. I read it in one sitting staying up 'til 3am or so. I've read it 5 or 6 times since. It's one of my favorite books.
Jacob Slichter was (is?) the drummer for Semisonic, the band that brought you "Closing Time" back in 1
Aug 05, 2011
Steve
rated it:
Jake Slichter tells of his days of Rock & Roll Stardom with his band Semisonic. The book/band spanned about 8 years and some of his recollections about experiences in the music industry are quite detailed and informative. His narrative style makes for an enjoyable and easy read. It does lack the crazier rock star stories you'd find in some other musician's autobiographies (Anthony Kiedis, for example, sits opposite with Slichter on the rocker personality/antics spectrum).
Mar 18, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
Jacob Slichter is an excellent writer and provides an interesting perspective on the music industry. As the guy in Semisonic who wasn't deemed sexy or particularly interview-worthy, he took advantage of being overlooked to observe up-close the manipulations and machinations around him. What do the musicians that aren't consumed by women and drugs think about? Business, apparently, mixed with some guilt that they aren't reading better books. It's a fun read.
Nov 19, 2009
Deb
rated it:
I actually loved this book, one of my all time favorites. The author was the drummer in Semisonic (Closing Time was their biggest hit)--a band I travelled more than five hours to see on more than one occasion. Indeed, I was at nearly all of the concerts the author talks about. So, this book may be more amusing to me than others, but I thought it was hysterical. Of course, it's also revealing for someone who doesn't know much about the music industry.
Jan 07, 2009
Jeff
rated it:
If you ever wanted to get a glimpse inside the music industry, this is a good place to start. This book has some interested insights into the way music is really marketed by music and radio execs. It is just as sleazy a business as you think it is!!! Also, for the Semisonic fans out there, this has some great insight into the start of the band and the creation of the first couple records. This is a good, quick read.
Aug 07, 2009
Christian
rated it:
A really good look at the workings of a band from the eyes of the drummer. Semisonic's Jake Slichter describes the beginnings, the heights, and the denouement of the "Closing Time" fellows.
What really goes on in the choosing of a single? The shooting of a video? How long does it take to recoup an advance when everything you do adds on to it? Jake has a love of music and a keen and cynical eye on its industry.
What really goes on in the choosing of a single? The shooting of a video? How long does it take to recoup an advance when everything you do adds on to it? Jake has a love of music and a keen and cynical eye on its industry.
Feb 19, 2009
Emily
rated it:
This memoir by the drummer of Semisonic is not your typical rock 'n roll story. It's not about groupies, sex, drugs, and wild times, but instead is an MBA survey course on the business of being in a band in the current musical landscape. It was really fascinating to get a glimpse of how some songs become hits, some die trying, and some mega-hits are all but ignored by "the suits," and somehow find life when an influential DJ puts them on the radio.
This book was written larg More...
This book was written larg More...
Aug 19, 2009
Gordon
rated it:
Incredible story of true life in a band that made it big (or not, whatever that's supposed to mean). Written by the Harvard educated, Minnesota-loyal drummer from Semisonic, who most Americans will know from the ubiquitous single "Closing Time" or the Ten Things I Hate About You soundtrack piece "Fascinating New Thing".
Feb 25, 2011
Francesca
rated it:
This book was a little slow because it kind of read like a text book. That being said, it was one of the most entertaining and informative text books I've read. I also enjoyed that it brought me back in time to reminisce about the music of the 90's. This book is a must read for anyone interested in working in the music industry.
May 09, 2011
Marcus
rated it:
Pretty delightful. Opens one's eyes to how success is earned (it's by chance), capitalized upon (lots of long days in tour buses) and diminished (out with a whimper, not a bang). A much better writer than you'd figure any drummer to be, besides.
Oct 31, 2009
Semisonic's "Closing Time" was a key part of the soundtrack of the summer of 1998 for me, so I was curious enough to read this book. It gives a realistic view of the music business, and Schlichter's humor makes it a very entertaining read.
Mar 02, 2011
Amy!
rated it:
Written by the drummer for Semisonic ("Closing Time"), this memoir focuses on the business part of the music business and is fascinating reading for any music (or business) fan. Find out how songs get airplay and how good songs often have nothing to do with a band's success. There are additional bits of fun for KROQ or BNL fans.
Jan 07, 2010
Erin
rated it:
listening to the semisonic records I love while Slichter basically narrates their creation? yes, please.
I have very vivid memories of reading this on tour in nashville on sam's couch.
I have very vivid memories of reading this on tour in nashville on sam's couch.
Mar 08, 2010
Julie
rated it:
This is a memoir by the drummer from the band Semisonic. Semisonic is an awesome band, and this is an awesome book--funny, exciting, poignant. I read it quickly and was very sorry when it was over.
Sep 28, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
Written by the drummer from a one-hit wonder band from Minnesota in the 90's. Really interesting - the music industry is full of pricks.
Dec 14, 2009
Steve
rated it:
Well written "travelog"/guide to the harrowing world of pop stardom. Confirms all of you worst suspicions of the music industry, multinational corporations and popular culture. Nevertheless, fun to read.
