Unicron Veteran Member Posts:1696  
| 7/12/2006 10:56 AM |
|
|
Anyone read it?
I picked it up on Sunday and I've found it to be enthralling reading. I'm nearing the end of chapter 2 at the minute so it's only covered 2 bands I've never listened to (Black Flag and hte Minuteman, in the latter case a band I'd never even heard of) but it's fascinating stuff. Mission Of Burma, who I love, is up next and if that chapter is as good as what when before then I'll be very happy.
|
|
|
|
Antistar Advanced Member Posts:544
| 7/12/2006 11:04 AM |
|
|
Sounds interesting. Who wrote it and when did it come out? I presume it's a book of some sort!
If it's got anything on MBV, Pixies, Pink Floyd, American Music Club, Red House Painters, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Massive Attack, Sugar/Husker Du or Kraftwerk then I will be undertaking a journey to the nearest book-selling emporium post-haste!
|
|
|
|
PilchardAdvanced Member Posts:699
| 7/12/2006 12:04 PM |
|
|
the minutemen rock! u gotta check out their "double nickels on the dime" album from '84. them and husker du and black flag pretty much invented alternative rock.
|
|
|
|
palace Basic Member Posts:392
| 7/12/2006 12:17 PM |
|
|
i'd throw minor threat in there as well pilchard and go for the "pretty much invented hardcore" line rather than alternative rock... but maybe that's just personal preference and pedantry
|
|
|
|
UnicronVeteran Member Posts:1696
| 7/12/2006 12:26 PM |
|
quote:
Originally posted by Antistar
Sounds interesting. Who wrote it and when did it come out? I presume it's a book of some sort!
If it's got anything on MBV, Pixies, Pink Floyd, American Music Club, Red House Painters, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Massive Attack, Sugar/Husker Du or Kraftwerk then I will be undertaking a journey to the nearest book-selling emporium post-haste!
"Our band could be your life - Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981 - 1991" by Michael Azerrad. Published in 2001.
It's a history of American Indie in that period told as the stories of the some of the bands who shaped it. Of the bands you mentioned there are chapters on Sonic Youth and Husker Du. The Pixies are conspicuous by their abscence.
There are also chapters on Mission Of Burma, Black Flag, The Minuteman, Minor Threat, The Replacements, Butthole Surfers, Big Black, Fugazi, Mudhoney, Beat Happening (worth checking out if you've never heard them) and Dinosaur Jr.
It's an excellent book, even if you're not into the bands in question it's very readable. As I said I've never heard the music of the 2 bands I've read about so far but I'm now really anxious to hear their music even though I know in my heart I'd probably really hate Black Flag. |
|
|
|
UnicronVeteran Member Posts:1696
| 7/12/2006 12:34 PM |
|
quote:
Originally posted by palace
i'd throw minor threat in there as well pilchard and go for the "pretty much invented hardcore" line rather than alternative rock... but maybe that's just personal preference and pedantry
The book argues that alternative rock was invented when indie bands saw R.E.M. having commercial success and they realised that they could actually make a career out of the whole music thing and many of them toned down some of the more "difficult" aspects of their music in order to get on college radio.
While we're discussing the music of the era, Mission of Burma had 2 songs on their first EP "(That's when I reach for my) Revolver" and "Academy Fight Song" which are about as perfect as music gets. |
|
|
|
palaceBasic Member Posts:392
| 7/12/2006 12:35 PM |
|
|
right, now i've read who's featured unicron, that book is definitely for me... coolio. thanks
|
|
|
|
Protein biscuitBasic Member Posts:364
| 7/12/2006 12:59 PM |
|
|
Unicron, I've always intended to pick up something from Mission of Burma and wondering if you could suggest the best album to pick up? I've basically read that all of their output is top class particulary their latest "Obliterati" (?) release?
|
|
|
|
UnicronVeteran Member Posts:1696
| 7/12/2006 1:14 PM |
|
|
A good starting point would be "A Gun To The Head" on Rykodisc, it's a compilation of the best stuff from the 80's and it's got those 2 songs I mentioned on it which, IIRC, aren't on the proper albums.
The previous Rykodisc compilation "Mission Of Burma" is supposed to be even better but it's long been deleted, you might be able to get it online though. I haven't got the new one yet but I've heard good things. I'd skip the live album, quite a poor recording in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Protein biscuitBasic Member Posts:364
| 7/12/2006 1:54 PM |
|
|
Cheers for that. Pay-day tomorrow so i'll see if i can get my hands on "A Gun to the Head" and perhaps something else :-]
|
|
|
|
AntistarAdvanced Member Posts:544
| 7/12/2006 2:00 PM |
|
|
Didn't they reform recently? Released a new album called 'Off/On/Off' or something?
|
|
|
|
GarVeteran Member Posts:1676
| 7/12/2006 2:02 PM |
|
|
The new Mission Of Burma album is quite good too, so if you can't find any of the older stuff I'd recommend picking up 'The Obliterati'.
|
|
|
|
deraBasic Member Posts:163
| 7/12/2006 2:05 PM |
|
quote:
Originally posted by Unicron
As I said I've never heard the music of the 2 bands I've read about so far but I'm now really anxious to hear their music even though I know in my heart I'd probably really hate Black Flag.
It's impossible to hate Black Flag! |
|
|
|
Protein biscuitBasic Member Posts:364
| 7/12/2006 2:06 PM |
|
|
Did you pick up the Archie Bronson Outifit release Gar?
If so, any thoughts so far?
|
|
|
|
GarVeteran Member Posts:1676
| 7/12/2006 2:19 PM |
|
|
I didn't Protein Biscuit. Just in the door from town and got a new stack but totally forgot about getting that album. I'll pick it up on Friday though.
|
|
|
|
strollerAdvanced Member Posts:576
| 7/12/2006 2:24 PM |
|
quote:
Originally posted by dera
quote:
Originally posted by Unicron
As I said I've never heard the music of the 2 bands I've read about so far but I'm now really anxious to hear their music even though I know in my heart I'd probably really hate Black Flag.
It's impossible to hate Black Flag!
I seriously doubt that. |
|
|
|
Protein biscuitBasic Member Posts:364
| 7/12/2006 3:03 PM |
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gar
I didn't Protein Biscuit. Just in the door from town and got a new stack but totally forgot about getting that album. I'll pick it up on Friday though.
Ah ... just wondering is all. Don't feel like you have to buy it!
|
|
|
|
Protein biscuitBasic Member Posts:364
| 7/13/2006 1:06 PM |
|
|
Unicron, checked out Amazon.com for Mission of Burma "Mission of Burma" and one seller is looking for $45 for it! Phew.
|
|
|
|
UnicronVeteran Member Posts:1696
| 7/13/2006 2:18 PM |
|
|
That's nuts, settle for "A gun to the head"
|
|
|
|