Going Deaf for a Living

by Steve Lamacq

Going Deaf for a Living is Steve Lamacq’s candid reflection of several decades spent on the frontline of the alternative music scene. As a writer at the NME and co-host of The Evening Session, Steve naturally attended hundreds of gigs and collected a lifetime’s supply of musical encounters. From witnessing Richey Edwards of the Manic Street Preachers cutting ‘4Real’ into his arm to the infamous Oasis interview that sparked national outrage, Going Deaf for a Living provides the first-hand account of some of British music’s most memorable moments. But this isn’t just a book about working in the music at its heart, this is a tale about being a music fan – what drives us, infuriates us and fascinates us about the artists we put so much faith in. Covering the periods of grunge, Britpop and the arrival of indie, this acclaimed memoir – updated for the first time – is a thrilling journey through the last great hurrah of the analogue music industry.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2019

Reviews

[Charlie Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Steve has a selection of superb rock n punk tales from his career as a DJ and a music journo. From fanzines to the NME, tour bus capers, the strokes, stone roses, blur, elastica, everything. Fantastic.

[Connor Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mix of Lamacq’s own story from gig obsessed youth to renowned voice of alternative music in the UK and insight into the workings of the music industry during the 90s, most of which is done via various pubs in London.

The first half of the book serves more as a recount of Steve’s dealings in various areas of the music-media, fanzines, magazines and eventually radio. Whilst the second focuses more on stories that revolve around the main players of the last pre-internet music scene, Britpop. Featuring run-ins with the likes of Blur, Oasis, Pulp and The Stone Rose.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chronicle of a bygone era from someone who was there for every big London musical moment in the 1990s. Still gigging after all these years, Lammo's ears are always striving to find our new favourite band. Long live Lamacq!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Really interesting and nicely written but each chapter jumps around in time which means it doesn't flow particularly well.

[C.J. DeBarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this! It reminded me of some truly great albums. Exactly what I needed- chilled out, easy to read writing

[Andrew O'reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look inside British pop music, radio, and journalism from an era I remember.

[Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelentes historias de una persona clave en la era del britpop

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not criticism, not even journalism, just gossip