Ah, the Sunset Strip. Even though it’s a shadow of what it used to be, and every new condo building that cuts into the once-open skyline there feels like a tiny stab in my gut, I still like cruising the winding, two way street after dark. The House of Blues (RIP!) was one of my first Los Angeles excursions, The Key Club (RIP!!) was one of my second Los Angeles excursions. I’ve spent more than a few nights at The Viper Room and The Whisky drinking beer and being showered with power chords.
Even though EDM currently rules the airwaves and iPods, I still long for the days of real guitars and live drums and actual people playing actual instruments. It seems like the only bands that tour now are the ones from ten years ago. Rock isn’t totally dead, but it’s not the sound of the moment. It’ll come back in vogue (everything does, right?), but for now, I will bury myself in rock history books that make me see the past through hazy, those-were-the-days glasses.
These band-centric, rock history books are currently on my shelf (or wish-list) and are just waiting to be devoured this summer.
Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll’s Legendary Neighborhood by Michael Walker
Today, Laurel Canyon is dotted with million-dollar homes that I drool over every time I drive through it. In the 60s and 70s, though, it was an artist’s enclave full of musicians and songwriters and bands like Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, the Mamas and the Papas, ETC, ETC, ETC. This is the story of how Laurel Canyon became Laurel Canyon. I picked up this L.A. Times Bestseller for a dollar at Amoeba Records! The psychedelic cover is rad, it has a bunch of old photos, and I love the map. Any book that starts with a map is instantly intriguing. I can’t wait to tear into it.
Girl in a Band: A Memoir by Kim Gordon
This is Sonic Youth member Kim Gordon’s memoir. Even though I’m not the most familiar with SY, I back any female perspective on artistic endeavors and/or being in a male-dominated scene. 80s and 90s New York City also plays a big role in this book, apparently, so I can’t wait to read about all of that and weep over how cool and gritty it used to be compared to how shiny and sterile it feels now.
Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge by Mark Yarm
Ah, grunge. I still remember the afternoon I saw Smells Like Teen Spirit on MTV for the first time. My brother and I stopped whatever we were doing in our living room and just STARED. I will forever be fascinated with grunge, and I hope this book, which features conversations all the major players, will satiate my appetite.
NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories by NOFX and Jeff Alulis
My husband claims this book might be too crazy for me. Whatever. I’ve seen NOFX play so many times. I’ve met Fat Mike and I guarantee you, he has no idea who I am. All of the reviews I’ve read so far have only made me want to read it more. I appreciate brutal honesty. So, onto my Amazon wish list it goes. Hopefully I can handle all the drugs and murder and… does that say assisted suicide? Damn.
Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.: A Memoir by Viv Albertine
Written by a member of The Slits, this book chronicles a rebellious 1970s English punk existence… and its aftermath. It’s the tease of the aftermath that got me. After being a prominent part of such an infamous, culture-shaping scene… what happens next? Apparently Albertine tells all: the before, the after, and the after that. This one’s on my wish list and will hopefully make its way to my hands soon.
And more?
There are tons and tons of rock and music history books out there to devour… these are just books number one through five on my current list. If you have any recommendations or additions, please leave them in the comments! Bonus points if you can find a good one about pop punk and a non-annoying one about emo.