Title: Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991
Author: Michael Azerrad
First published December 20, 2001
522 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780316787536 (ISBN10: 0316787531)
Rating: 4.2
Overview
Discover the untold story of the musical rebellion that took place during the Reagan era. Within the pages of this book, you’ll be transported to a time when a vast network of bands, fanzines, record labels, and subversive individuals came together to revolutionize American rock music.
Drawing from the do-it-yourself ethos of punk rock, these musicians created deeply personal, challenging, and influential music that left an indelible mark on the industry. From Mission of Burma to Sonic Youth, The Minutemen to Fugazi, this sweeping chronicle of music, politics, drugs, and faith has become an indie rock classic in its own right.
Get ready to delve into the stories of the underground legends who made it all happen.
About the Author
Michael Azerrad is an accomplished writer, having contributed to various publications such as Rolling Stone, Revolver, and Spin. Currently residing in the bustling city of New York, he continues to pursue his passion for writing.
Editoral Review
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991 by Michael Azerrad is a non-fiction book that documents the history of American indie rock bands. First published in 2001, the book provides a fascinating, in-depth look at some of the most influential bands of the time, including Black Flag, Sonic Youth, and the Butthole Surfers.
Azerrad is a well-known music journalist who has also authored books about Nirvana and the grunge music scene. His passion and knowledge for music are evident in this book, as he delves into the history, culture, and politics of the indie rock scene.
The book is structured into separate chapters, each focusing on a specific band or region. The chapters themselves read like mini-biographies, providing details about the band’s formation, their music, and their impact on the music industry.
Azerrad also includes interviews with the band members themselves, as well as other key figures in the music industry at the time. One of the strengths of the book is its blend of anecdotes, analysis, and historical context.
Azerrad does an excellent job of using the stories of the bands to illustrate larger cultural trends, such as the rise of alternative music and the decline of traditional record labels. He also provides insights into the struggles and challenges that faced indie rock bands at the time, including issues of race, gender, and sexuality.
Another strength of the book is its readability. Azerrad’s writing is clear, engaging, and often humorous.
He has a knack for painting vivid pictures of the bands, their music, and the cultural landscape in which they thrived. Even for those who are unfamiliar with the bands or the era, the book is accessible and entertaining.
One potential weakness of the book is its narrow focus. As the title suggests, the book primarily focuses on American indie rock bands of the 1980s and 1990s.
While Azerrad does touch on the impact of these bands on the broader music industry, readers looking for a more comprehensive view of music history may be disappointed. However, this is a minor quibble.
Our Band Could Be Your Life is an engaging, informative, and entertaining read, and is sure to be a hit with anyone who has an interest in music or American culture. For fans of indie music, the book is essential reading.
It provides a valuable glimpse into the history of some of the most influential bands of the era and sheds light on the cultural and social forces that shaped their music. Overall, I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
