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BOOK REVIEW | "I'M THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX" BY SCOTT IAN

1/20/2020

photo by nacrowe
to access our review of SCOTT IAN's other 2017 memoir ACCESS ALL AREAS click HERE

much like his other release ACCESS ALL AREAS: STORIES FROM A HARD ROCK LIFE (DA CAPO PRESS, 2017), which i covered in a previous review, legendary THRASH METAL guitarist SCOTT IAN of ANTHRAX is a more than capable narrator of his own life story in his debut book I'M THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX (DA CAPO PRESS, 2014), which sees him overcome a troubled childhood with a neurotic mother, two failed marriages and surviving the music industry over 30 years with his mind and band intact.

it may be due to his long-term sobriety (minus a few PANTERA and OZZY tours) that the detail of his recollections seem to be precise and noteworthy. i made the point before in the other review that his writing style is very utilitarian, much like his guitar playing and this is holds true with this book as well. he tends not to embellish and hold himself to account for past misjudgments and moral lapses, which only further gains his voice credence in the reader's mind.

of interest to me with this book, which is very much a traditional chronological affair (unlike ACCESS ALL AREAS which is more a series of interesting stories), is the beginnings of THRASH METAL and MEGAFORCE RECORDS. specifically the stories IAN chooses to tell about his friend and legendary bassist/composer CLIFF BURTON (R.I.P.) and the formative years of METALLICA and ANTRAX. sharing the same indie label and manager provided him a front row seat to their early development which is compelling in historical terms. you really get a sense of the brotherhood of that early scene that carried on throughout their entire career, most famously in the BIG 4 concerts that happened this past decade.

i have to say that i also enjoyed his humor. too many times METAL bands take themselves and their image way too seriously (i'm looking right at you SLAYER) and even though ANTHRAX come off juvenile and goofy from time to time, in the end they come across as themselves: a bunch of METAL dudes from NYC.

and i can't fault them for that.

if you're interested in THRASH METAL, this book is worth your time and is a painless read, which is not always the case (cough, cough COREY TAYLOR).

CHECK OUT THIS BAND | RED FANG

1/17/2020

photo manipulation by nacrowe

the OREGON-based SLUDGE METAL/STONER ROCK band RED FANG is renowned as much for their comically infantile yet ingenious music videos often depicting such blue collar staples as SASQUATCH, DAGORHIR, TIME TRAVEL and PABST BLUE RIBBON as they are for their crushing BLACK SABBATH meets MELVINS sound.

just an awesome consistent band that keeps on delivering. check out their music.

DOUBLE-BILL DEER GOD RADIO TONIGHT AT 8PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

1/16/2020

parodies by nacrowe

tonight starting at 8PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC there will be a double-bill of two separate DEER GOD RADIO episodes showcasing both the progged-out master riffage and sonic mayhem of MASTODON and the innovative, creations of post-war GERMANY now commonly referred to as KRAUTROCK. gonna be an intense night. enjoy1

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

MASTODON

KRAUTROCK

"DEER GOD 75: A DAY TO REMEMBER" LIVE TODAY AT 6PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

1/13/2020

parody by nacrowe

today's new episode of DEER GOD RADIO at 6PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC is all about FLORIDA hybrid POP PUNK / METAL CORE outfit A DAY TO REMEMBER.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 68: NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL" NOW AVAILABLE

1/11/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO focused on the legacy of the NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL, a very influential era that progressed from vintage BLACK SABBATH with more propulsive drumming and uptempo songs that led the way for THRASH METAL and modern DEATH METAL. if you aren't familiar with these bands, they are definitely worth your time checking out! check out the show.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

CHECK OUT THIS BAND | TORCHE

1/3/2020

photo manipulation by nacrowe

one of the things that always turned me off of METAL and ALTERNATIVE ROCK in general were the fans. i don't think i'm all alone in that. too often the atmosphere at ROCK shows seemed to cater to some dumbed down, conservative mindset that wasn't inclusive of women or multiple varieties of masculinity. in fact, i can remember going to OZZFEST years back in high school, pre 9/11 and feeling this weight of all the total right-wing bullshit that was flying around both on-stage and from the crowd. had these people never read OZZY's lyrics to "War Pigs" or maybe the better question is could they read those lyrics.

TORCHE is a powerful, anthemic modern STONER ROCK/SLUDGE METAL outfit from MIAMI whose members had previously played in respected underground bands FLOOR and CAVITY. for me their music hits that emotional sweet spot that splits the difference between the brutality and advance technicality of modern METAL while also indulging in sustained feedback and looped harmonics that are indicative of SHOEGAZE. seems almost besides the point (and really, who cares?) to mention that vocalist/guitarist STEVE BROOKS is one of the few openly gay men in METAL. much like ROB HALFORD before him, my hope is that this increased exposure will end this common denominator, caveman-like posturing that has plagued METAL shows forever. has no place now unless you live in TRUMP country. in that case, drag you knuckles away.

TORCHE is a tremendous band and their new album ADMISSION just takes it all to another level. highly recommended.

"DEER GOD RADIO 65: DEVIN TOWNSEND" NOW AVAILABLE

12/29/2019

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO dedicated to mercurial, eccentric world of PROG METAL wizard DEVIN TOWNSEND.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

BOOK REVIEW | "WHITE LINE FEVER: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY" BY LEMMY KILMISTER WITH JANISS GARZA

12/23/2019

photo by nacrowe

written at the turn of the millennium in a jovial, conversational style in first person, WHITE LINE FEVER: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY (CITADEL PRESS, 2002) by legendary MOTÖRHEAD frontman LEMMY KILMISTER is an engaging look back at a most interesting career in music and the legend's almost ZELIG-like ability to be connected to various cultural movements and figures over the years.

i would like to get the drawbacks of this book out of the way before i go all fanboy, because obviously the draw of reading this is to learn more about one of my all-time favorite bands, who really cemented the attitude of PUNK ROCK in a more technical METAL landscape, even if he was a precursor that ultimately transcended both scenes. the tone of the book feels like you are in the presence of a great storyteller at the end of a bar drag on about his life and the reasons for past decisions to date. this is a double-edged construction for a book since all bases are covered chronologically but can come off a bit forced and repetitive at times, especially give the life of a successful musician with the requisite recording and live performance schedules. about halfway through this book i had a good idea of how the trajectory of his narrative was going to pan out and the book didn't disappoint, which was unfortunate as you want the reader to not be lulled into boredom by being predictable.

which is odd given the subject of this book. KILMISTER led an anything but normal life, even by ROCK AND ROLL standards. he was an ENGLISHMAN who grew up primarily in WALES to a single-mother and grew up in the 60s scene where he was able to see THE BEATLES pre-fame at the CAVERN CLUB, roadied for JIMI HENDRIX and found himself a part of the 70s PROG ROCK culture fronting HAWKWIND before ultimately venturing out with the PUNK/METAL juggernaut MOTÖRHEAD for the rest of his life.

while this book does provide some interesting asides and stories about his upbringing and friends, famous and not, throughout his life, the tone of this book feels like that of a ROLLING STONE in the BLUES sense, in that he doesn't seem to stick too long to any subject before moving on to something else. this includes losing friends (and even a lover from his youth) to heroin. heroin is a drug he acknowledges despising because it took so many of his peers but often instead of diving deeper he glibly goes on about getting on with his life. on one hand you get the sense that you are listening to the ultimate ROCK AND ROLL survivor, but it feels like a lost opportunity in that these disappointments are what inform his decisions and trajectory as a major cultural figure for over 30 years (at the point of publication). as a reader i wouldn't mind if more attention were paid to such instead of giving it the same care as his many screeds against cliche fair like record companies and concert promotes.

thats my gripe. i wish this book had been a bit more in depth on his life but really, this is his book to have written the way he wanted. i don't think this is the definitive MOTÖRHEAD book but i look forward to reading such when it is ultimately written.

DOUBLE-HEADER DEER GOD RADIO TONIGHT AT 8PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

12/19/2019

parodies by nacrowe

tonight finds me playing with the format of DEER GOD RADIO so at 8PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC there will be a double-bill of two separate episodes showcasing modern PROG METAL visionary DEVIN TOWNSEND and a selection of SOUTHERN HIP HOP from the likes of ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS, HOUSTON, MEMPHIS, VIRGINIA BEACH and MIAMI. gonna be a fun night!

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

BOOK REVIEW | "SEVEN DEADLY SINS: SETTLING THE ARGUMENT BETWEEN BORN BAD AND DAMAGED GOOD" BY COREY TAYLOR

12/2/2019

photo by nacrowe

ok before i completely unload on this subpar book i want to make clear that i am a fan of SLIPKNOT. i've followed their career since their national live debut on OZZFEST 99 when i was years old which is insane now that i'm thinking about it. 20 years. wow. all im saying is that back then even with a festival loaded with other notable acts like SLAYER, ROB ZOMBIE, DEFTONES, FEAR FACTORY, STATIC-X, PRIMUS, SYSTEM OF A DOWN and BLACK SABBATH, they still stood out.

so i say this with love. SEVEN DEADLY SINS: SETTLING THE ARGUMENT BETWEEN BORN BAD AND DAMAGED GOOD (DA CAPO, 2012) by SLIPKNOT frontman COREY TAYLOR was awful.

it read like a cross between an overly dramatic teenage journal entry (with all the requisite directionless first-person self-referential diatribes) and someone who literally just discovered a thesaurus. it was tiring to the point of exhaustion reading run-on sentence after run-on sentence and awkward word choices that were unnecessarily complex for the sake of being verbose.

its one thing that it was badly written (or in need of serious editing), but the premise of the book itself was garbage. this idea that the seven deadly sins are bullshit and that we should be able learn from and transcend our transgressions. sometimes i dont think TAYLOR even realized he was coming off pro-CATHOLICISM with all his seemingly anti-religious screeds. if anything he was proving the essence of the religion. this is the kind of book that probably does well with people that don't like to think very hard about anything for too long, which likely describes his audience. im said to say that this book did well, but he's made several other books since then so... ugh.

what annoys me the most is that his actual biography is compelling and worthy of a memoir. SLIPKNOT is arguably the last major rock band to reach stadium status since NIRVANA. think about that. a bunch of masked DEATH METAL / THRASH METAL fans from IOWA have pretty much owned the METAL genre and whatever is left of ALTERNATIVE ROCK radio for the better part of two decades and they come from the middle of nowhere in the forgotten midwest. the heartland. goddamn trump country! i'd be interested in reading THAT BOOK that talks about how his upbringing impacted his lyrical content and drive to succeed, not his lukewarm attempt at defining morality. what a letdown.

yeah, i have a copy of this book. anyone wants it just ask. i'm looking to move past having read it. i'll stick to his SLIPKNOT records.