Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "anthrax"

Fathers, Brothers, and Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, and Anthrax by Frank Bello

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. I've been an Anthrax fan since 1989, when I first saw them in concert at Hammersmith Odeon. Since then, I have seen the band live many times and Frank Bello always brings lots of enthusiasm and passion to his performances. I've seen many of the band's interviews over the years, so when reading the book it was easy to imagine Frank speaking and saying all of the stuff in the book. At the start of the book Frank says that he wanted it to be like a conversation between him and the reader over a cup of coffee or a beer, and it really does come across like that. Frank and his co-writer Joel McIver have done a great job, bringing all of Frank's memories alive and presenting the book in a way that is both compulsive and entertaining reading.

The foreword is written by Gene Simmons from Kiss and it's a great introduction to what is to come. The relationship between Frank and Gene started off with Frank being a bit of an annoying fan of Kiss who used to follow them everywhere, but it has since grown, and there is now a mutual appreciation that comes across.

The one thing that stands out when reading Frank's story is how he is very down to earth, and unlike many artists—especially artists as successful as he is—there is no ego problem. He appreciates that without fans he wouldn't be where he is and his gratitude is evident in the way he writes his story. His story demonstrates that the band have never taken anything for granted and always strive to produce the best music they can, seeing the relationship between bands and fans as a two way street.

The chapters that reflect on Frank's time in Anthrax make interesting reading. Although I knew a lot about the band, being a long-time fan, I learned a lot too; for example, how close they were with other bands that they toured with. Some of the stories of the antics on tour are fun to read.

But the book is not all about Frank's experience as a bassist in Anthrax, it also has a great deal of content about his personal life. His early life was far from easy and he has written his story with honesty and wisdom. We learn that one of the reasons he wrote the book was to help others and to talk about life lessons he has learned that he can pass on. He has certainly had a lot of experiences that many will relate to and perhaps find some inspiration or comfort from.

Another stand out thing from this book is the theme of tragedy that runs through it. Franks talks about his own mental health struggles when his younger brother was murdered and does so in a very open and honest way. He recollects other losses and how his experiences have made him live his life differently. He definitely has a great deal of wisdom to pass on with this book.

Frank Bello's love of music comes across from page one, and any music fan will instantly feel a connection when reading about his obsession with bands and music. One thing I learned from this book was that as well as being a musician, Frank has also trained as an actor. I wasn't aware that he had serious aspirations to be an actor alongside his musical career. His stories relating to that are very interesting.

"Fathers, Brothers, and Sons" is the story of a music lover who became a famous musician and has somehow managed to keep his feet on the ground. Frank comes across as fun-loving and sensible at the same time. It's a touching and honest account of a man's journey through life from childhood to fatherhood. Frank has had to deal with many tragic and heartbreaking events, however, he has endeavoured with this book to pass on some of the lessons he has learned from the ups and downs. It makes entertaining, thought-provoking reading.

If you are an Anthrax fan, this is a must-read book, but generally I think it would also be of interest to a wider audience. Frank Bello has a story to tell and his life lessons are well worth reading.



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