what's the Bowen book like?

I'm looking for a good book but no point looking here. No reviews.

oh, sorry rob, will take a look.

1  The Sense of an Ending                      Julian Barnes
2  Ordinary Thunderstorms                      William Boyd
3  Monday or Tuesday                           Virginia Woolf
4  Ecstasy                                     Irvine Welsh
5  A Street Cat Named Bob                      James Bowen
6  Arthur Milton: Last of the Double Internationals   Mike Vockins
7  Never Google Heartbreak                     Emma Garcia
8  Skinheads                                   John King
9  Common Sense Rules: What
   You Really Need To Know About Business      Deborah Meaden
10 I Laughed, I Cried                          Viv Groskop

Sorry to disillusion you, Burton-Brewers:
Andrew Loog Oldham was a rent boy before the Stones came along.

1 The World of Nagaraj - R K Narayan
2 Gustav Mahler - Michael Kennedy
3 It Can Be Done - Kevin Blake
4 Come To Grief - Dick Francis
5 Plays, Poems and Prose - John Millington Synge
6 Two Pints - Roddy Doyle

Two lads in the pub, yarning about the news.  Short & easy read.  One LOL, a few chuckles.

The World of Nagaraj - R K Narayan

I finish most books that I start.  I finished this.  Not recommended.

Gustav Mahler - Michael Kennedy

From the Master Musicians series, and reckoned to be the definitive Mahler biography.  I learned a couple of things from it.  Classical music lovers should enjoy it,  but it may be pricey.  I got a 1st edition with dust jacket for £2, but I've seen paperbacks for £20.

3 It Can Be Done - Kevin Blake.  A racing pundit's bets for 2013.  Sticks to Irish flat racing.  I enjoyed it.

4 Come To Grief - Dick Francis.  I was gived a load of his books.  Easy read with horsey background.  Gets physically assaulted earlier than usual.

5 Plays, Poems and Prose - John Millington Synge.  Of his plays, I was familiar with 'Riders to the Sea', which is so sad.  A late friend of mine lost 3 brothers & a son to the sea, but 6 sons & a husband is something else.  Ralph Vaughan Williams composed a one act opera based on the play.

I was also familiar with, 'Playboy of the Western World'.  A comedy, like the other plays, it's good, but, all of them in one hit makes them a bit repetitive.  There's only so many 'there's a tirrible drouth on me' you can take.

The poems were bland.  The prose was mostly excepts from his book, 'The Aran Islands', which is a great read.

Mad Dogs And Englishmen - Ranulph Fiennes
Victims - Jonathan Kellerman
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenger
Autobiography - Ruby Walsh

Mark Ward ....Played for Oldham for 2 years after signing from non league . Was a fantastic footballer , haven't read his book yet.

1  The Sense of an Ending                      Julian Barnes          8/10
2  Ordinary Thunderstorms                      William Boyd           8/10
3  Monday or Tuesday                           Virginia Woolf         5/10
Ecstasy                                     Irvine Welsh             8/10
5  A Street Cat Named Bob                      James Bowen            9/10
6  Arthur Milton: Last of the Double Internationals   Mike Vockins    8/10
7  Never Google Heartbreak                     Emma Garcia            8/10
8  Skinheads                                   John King              6/10
9  Common Sense Rules: What
   You Really Need To Know About Business      Deborah Meaden         6/10
10 I Laughed, I Cried                          Viv Groskop            7/10
11 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           6/10
12 IKEA edge                                   Anders Dahlvig         5/10
13 Heartbreak Hotel                            Deborah Moggach        7/10
14 Bullfighting                                Roddy Doyle            7/10
15 Armadillo                                   William Boyd           7/10
16 Made in Britain                             James Bower            7/10
17 Villain's Daughter                          Roberta Kray           6/10
18 Expats                                      Chris Pavone           7/10
19 Cocktail Waitress                           James Cain             7/10
20 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           5/10
21 Dry                                         Augusten Burroughs     8/10

currant bun


         currant bun   






  02 Mar 14 19:10 
Joined:   10 Jan 03      | Topic/replies: 386  | Blogger: currant bun's blog   



1  The Sense of an Ending                      Julian Barnes          8/10
2  Ordinary Thunderstorms                      William Boyd           8/10
3  Monday or Tuesday                           Virginia Woolf         5/10
4  Ecstasy                                     Irvine Welsh           8/10
5  A Street Cat Named Bob                      James Bowen            9/10
6  Arthur Milton: Last of the Double Internationals   Mike Vockins    8/10
7  Never Google Heartbreak                     Emma Garcia            8/10
8  Skinheads                                   John King              6/10
9  Common Sense Rules: What
   You Really Need To Know About Business      Deborah Meaden         6/10
10 I Laughed, I Cried                          Viv Groskop            7/10
11 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           6/10
12 IKEA edge                                   Anders Dahlvig         5/10
13 Heartbreak Hotel                            Deborah Moggach        7/10
14 Bullfighting                                Roddy Doyle            7/10
15 Armadillo                                   William Boyd           7/10
16 Made in Britain                             James Bower            7/10
17 Villain's Daughter                          Roberta Kray           6/10
18 Expats                                      Chris Pavone           7/10
19 Cocktail Waitress                           James Cain             8/10
20 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           5/10
21 Dry                                         Augusten Burroughs     8/10
22 Lucky Jim                                   Kingsley Amis          7/10
23 Live at the Brixton Academy                 Simon Parkes           9/10
24 The Complete Parkhurst Tales                Norman Parker          6/10
25 Kings Road                                  Max Decharne           7/10
26 Wilt                                        Tom Sharpe             9/10
27 Flight into Camden                          David Storey           7/10
28 Instructions for a Heatwave                 Maggie O'Farrell       8/10
29 The Forgotten Garden                        Kate Morton            9/10

Cheers for posting thoughts and marks - always on the lookout for a good book, and will have a look at a few of these

Black Vinyl, White Powder - Simon Napier-Bell
a look at the seedier side of the music industry over 50 years, surprised at some of the people using drugs including stars of the 40's dance band era. Napier-Bell has had many jobs in the business so knows what he is talking about. A good read. 8/10

Paul Weller, The Changing Man - Paolo Hewitt
Hewitt was a mate of Wellers from when they were both about 14 and this is his story of how he saw the Jam come together and become famous. A bit dull really. 6/10

Young Hearts Run Free: The Real Story of the 1970s - Dave Haslam
Haslam was an NME journalist and DJ at the Hacienda. This is not just a story of 70's music but the politics of the time including the strikes and the IRA bombings. Well put together and reminded me of a few things I had forgotton. 8/10

Ska'd for Life: A Personal Journey with The Specials - Horace Panter
Horace was the Bass player and original founding member from Coventry. This is a diary of his life in the group and also the story of the two-tone label. Some good stories about some of their tours. 7/10

The Brian Epstein Story - Debbie Geller
very detailed story right from Epstein's childhood to death. Not sure who the writer is but she knows her stuff and shows that Epstein also had his failings as the Beatles manager. Good insight into the London scene of the late 50's early 60's. 8/10

Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Loog Oldham was a bit of a wannabe who latched onto the Stones after seeing them at a gig. he started out as The Beatles PR man working for Epstein but he wanted his own fame. He started out as mainly PR for the Stones but he also produced songs and he was the one who got Jagger/Richards to start writing their own material. This book cover his life up until 1964/5, I am currently reading the follow up. 8/10

2Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Jeez this took some getting through as it zig zags all over the place from one decade to another in no order. There are some good anecdotes about various faces from the 60's and he talks briefly about why he left The Stones. He is actually very lucky to still be alive with the drink and drugs he took, infact many of his peers died very young. If you asked 10 people on their views of ALO you would probably get 10 different answers, a complex man but if you think about it this guy was only 19 when he guided The Stones and he developed many management/promotion techniques that are still used today. He was a pioneer without doubt. 6/10

1  The Sense of an Ending                      Julian Barnes          8/10
2  Ordinary Thunderstorms                      William Boyd           8/10
3  Monday or Tuesday                           Virginia Woolf         5/10
4  Ecstasy                                     Irvine Welsh           8/10
5  A Street Cat Named Bob                      James Bowen            9/10
6  Arthur Milton: Last of the Double Internationals   Mike Vockins    8/10
7  Never Google Heartbreak                     Emma Garcia            8/10
8  Skinheads                                   John King              6/10
9  Common Sense Rules: What
   You Really Need To Know About Business      Deborah Meaden         6/10
10 I Laughed, I Cried                          Viv Groskop            7/10
11 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           6/10
12 IKEA edge                                   Anders Dahlvig         5/10
13 Heartbreak Hotel                            Deborah Moggach        7/10
14 Bullfighting                                Roddy Doyle            7/10
15 Armadillo                                   William Boyd           7/10
16 Made in Britain                             James Bower            7/10
17 Villain's Daughter                          Roberta Kray           6/10
18 Expats                                      Chris Pavone           7/10
19 Cocktail Waitress                           James Cain             8/10
20 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           5/10
21 Dry                                         Augusten Burroughs     8/10
22 Lucky Jim                                   Kingsley Amis          7/10
23 Live at the Brixton Academy                 Simon Parkes           9/10
24 The Complete Parkhurst Tales                Norman Parker          6/10
25 Kings Road                                  Max Decharne           7/10
26 Wilt                                        Tom Sharpe             9/10
27 Flight into Camden                          David Storey           7/10
28 Instructions for a Heatwave                 Maggie O'Farrell       8/10
29 The Forgotten Garden                        Kate Morton            9/10
30 My Manor                                    Charlie Richardson     6/10
31 Brighton Rock                               Graham Greene          7/10
32 All of These People                         Fergal Keane           9/10
33 Union Street                                Pat Barker             8/10
34 Hellraisers                                 Robert Sellers         6/10
35 From Right Wing to B Wing                   Mark Ward              7/10
35 Lush Life                                   Richard Price          3/10 not finished
36 You have 3 Minutes                          Richard Bellino        3/10 not finished
37 The Shock of the Fall                       Nathan Filer           5/10
38 Unexpected Lessons in Love                  Bernardine Bishop      9/10

are you in hospital?

Black Vinyl, White Powder - Simon Napier-Bell
a look at the seedier side of the music industry over 50 years, surprised at some of the people using drugs including stars of the 40's dance band era. Napier-Bell has had many jobs in the business so knows what he is talking about. A good read. 8/10

Paul Weller, The Changing Man - Paolo Hewitt
Hewitt was a mate of Wellers from when they were both about 14 and this is his story of how he saw the Jam come together and become famous. A bit dull really. 6/10

Young Hearts Run Free: The Real Story of the 1970s - Dave Haslam
Haslam was an NME journalist and DJ at the Hacienda. This is not just a story of 70's music but the politics of the time including the strikes and the IRA bombings. Well put together and reminded me of a few things I had forgotton. 8/10

Ska'd for Life: A Personal Journey with The Specials - Horace Panter
Horace was the Bass player and original founding member from Coventry. This is a diary of his life in the group and also the story of the two-tone label. Some good stories about some of their tours. 7/10

The Brian Epstein Story - Debbie Geller
very detailed story right from Epstein's childhood to death. Not sure who the writer is but she knows her stuff and shows that Epstein also had his failings as the Beatles manager. Good insight into the London scene of the late 50's early 60's. 8/10

Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Loog Oldham was a bit of a wannabe who latched onto the Stones after seeing them at a gig. he started out as The Beatles PR man working for Epstein but he wanted his own fame. He started out as mainly PR for the Stones but he also produced songs and he was the one who got Jagger/Richards to start writing their own material. This book cover his life up until 1964/5, I am currently reading the follow up. 8/10

2Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Jeez this took some getting through as it zig zags all over the place from one decade to another in no order. There are some good anecdotes about various faces from the 60's and he talks briefly about why he left The Stones. He is actually very lucky to still be alive with the drink and drugs he took, infact many of his peers died very young. If you asked 10 people on their views of ALO you would probably get 10 different answers, a complex man but if you think about it this guy was only 19 when he guided The Stones and he developed many management/promotion techniques that are still used today. He was a pioneer without doubt. 6/10

Music The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals - Ann Harrison
don't think this will be of any interest to chit chat but it is excellent as it is one of the few books mainly written for the UK market. The author has been a lawyer for years and has worked with loads of big names, tells you all the legalities and percentages of what artists should be earning for the input they have provided. Bang up to date with info on digital media and what to be careful of. 8/10

1  The Sense of an Ending                      Julian Barnes          8/10
2  Ordinary Thunderstorms                      William Boyd           8/10
3  Monday or Tuesday                           Virginia Woolf         5/10
4  Ecstasy                                     Irvine Welsh           8/10
5  A Street Cat Named Bob                      James Bowen            9/10
6  Arthur Milton: Last of the Double Internationals   Mike Vockins    8/10
7  Never Google Heartbreak                     Emma Garcia            8/10
8  Skinheads                                   John King              6/10
9  Common Sense Rules: What
   You Really Need To Know About Business      Deborah Meaden         6/10
10 I Laughed, I Cried                          Viv Groskop            7/10
11 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           6/10
12 IKEA edge                                   Anders Dahlvig         5/10
13 Heartbreak Hotel                            Deborah Moggach        7/10
14 Bullfighting                                Roddy Doyle            7/10
15 Armadillo                                   William Boyd           7/10
16 Made in Britain                             James Bower            7/10
17 Villain's Daughter                          Roberta Kray           6/10
18 Expats                                      Chris Pavone           7/10
19 Cocktail Waitress                           James Cain             8/10
20 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           5/10
21 Dry                                         Augusten Burroughs     8/10
22 Lucky Jim                                   Kingsley Amis          7/10
23 Live at the Brixton Academy                 Simon Parkes           9/10
24 The Complete Parkhurst Tales                Norman Parker          6/10
25 Kings Road                                  Max Decharne           7/10
26 Wilt                                        Tom Sharpe             9/10
27 Flight into Camden                          David Storey           7/10
28 Instructions for a Heatwave                 Maggie O'Farrell       8/10
29 The Forgotten Garden                        Kate Morton            9/10
30 My Manor                                    Charlie Richardson     6/10
31 Brighton Rock                               Graham Greene          7/10
32 All of These People                         Fergal Keane           9/10
33 Union Street                                Pat Barker             8/10
34 Hellraisers                                 Robert Sellers         6/10
35 From Right Wing to B Wing                   Mark Ward              7/10
35 Lush Life                                   Richard Price          3/10 did not finish
36 You have 3 Minutes                          Richard Bellino        3/10 did not finish
37 The Shock of the Fall                       Nathan Filer           5/10
38 Unexpected Lessons in Love                  Bernardine Bishop      9/10
39 The Postman Always Rings Twice              James Cain             7/10
40 Case Histories                              Kate Atkinson          8/10
41 The Case of the Missing Books               Ian Sansom             8/10
42 One Day                                     David Nicholls         9/10
43 Playing the Moldovans at Tennis             Tony Hawks             8/10

Mad Dogs And Englishmen - Ranulph Fiennes  6/10
Victims - Jonathan Kellerman  9/10
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenger 7/10(take out the mushy stuff and it would be 9/10)
Autobiography - Ruby Walsh  7/10
Camilla Lackberg - The Hidden Child 7/10
Geekspeak - Graham Tattersall  7/10
Under The Dome - Stephen King  8/10

Black Vinyl, White Powder - Simon Napier-Bell
a look at the seedier side of the music industry over 50 years, surprised at some of the people using drugs including stars of the 40's dance band era. Napier-Bell has had many jobs in the business so knows what he is talking about. A good read. 8/10

Paul Weller, The Changing Man - Paolo Hewitt
Hewitt was a mate of Wellers from when they were both about 14 and this is his story of how he saw the Jam come together and become famous. A bit dull really. 6/10

Young Hearts Run Free: The Real Story of the 1970s - Dave Haslam
Haslam was an NME journalist and DJ at the Hacienda. This is not just a story of 70's music but the politics of the time including the strikes and the IRA bombings. Well put together and reminded me of a few things I had forgotton. 8/10

Ska'd for Life: A Personal Journey with The Specials - Horace Panter
Horace was the Bass player and original founding member from Coventry. This is a diary of his life in the group and also the story of the two-tone label. Some good stories about some of their tours. 7/10

The Brian Epstein Story - Debbie Geller
very detailed story right from Epstein's childhood to death. Not sure who the writer is but she knows her stuff and shows that Epstein also had his failings as the Beatles manager. Good insight into the London scene of the late 50's early 60's. 8/10

Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Loog Oldham was a bit of a wannabe who latched onto the Stones after seeing them at a gig. he started out as The Beatles PR man working for Epstein but he wanted his own fame. He started out as mainly PR for the Stones but he also produced songs and he was the one who got Jagger/Richards to start writing their own material. This book cover his life up until 1964/5, I am currently reading the follow up. 8/10

2Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Jeez this took some getting through as it zig zags all over the place from one decade to another in no order. There are some good anecdotes about various faces from the 60's and he talks briefly about why he left The Stones. He is actually very lucky to still be alive with the drink and drugs he took, infact many of his peers died very young. If you asked 10 people on their views of ALO you would probably get 10 different answers, a complex man but if you think about it this guy was only 19 when he guided The Stones and he developed many management/promotion techniques that are still used today. He was a pioneer without doubt. 6/10

Music The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals - Ann Harrison
don't think this will be of any interest to chit chat but it is excellent as it is one of the few books mainly written for the UK market. The author has been a lawyer for years and has worked with loads of big names, tells you all the legalities and percentages of what artists should be earning for the input they have provided. Bang up to date with info on digital media and what to be careful of. 8/10

England's Dreaming, the Sex Pistols and Punk Rock - Jon Savage
actually his name is Jon Sage but I suppose that doesn't sound as hard, well qualified to write on the subject though as he has worked for all the major musical press labels and also ran his own fanzine. Despite the title it is not just about the Pistols, he covers all the main players of the era plus also quite a bit dedicated to the fashion outlets especially McClaren's and Viv Westwoods. Some good Pistols stories that I had never heard before like all their gear was knicked. The PA system was robbed off the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo and belonged to Roxy Music, the guitars were robbed from Rod Stewarts and Ronnie Woods houses in London and they also got a nice fur coat from Keith Richards house. I say they but it was actually just Steve Jones who was a total thief. Malcolm McClaren freely admits he was in awe of the impresario Larry Parnes and tried to base himself on him by exaggerating his Jewish roots which seemed to work. One part that really surprised me was the discussion of Sid's ability as a musician, many will know he replaced the reasonably accomplished Glen Matlock on bass. Sid had already had a stint as a drummer and a sax player with the early Banshees, but everyone said that he could have been a very good bass player if he had kept off the drugs. Apparently he could listen to a song and in one evening pick out and learn the bass lines himself, surprised me I always thought he was ****. It will keep you busy for a while as it is 600+ pages and it can drift off at a tangent sometimes. 8/10

1  The Sense of an Ending                      Julian Barnes          8/10
2  Ordinary Thunderstorms                      William Boyd           8/10
3  Monday or Tuesday                           Virginia Woolf         5/10
4  Ecstasy                                     Irvine Welsh           8/10
5  A Street Cat Named Bob                      James Bowen            9/10
6  Arthur Milton: Last of the Double Internationals   Mike Vockins    8/10
7  Never Google Heartbreak                     Emma Garcia            8/10
8  Skinheads                                   John King              6/10
9  Common Sense Rules: What
   You Really Need To Know About Business      Deborah Meaden         6/10
10 I Laughed, I Cried                          Viv Groskop            7/10
11 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           6/10
12 IKEA edge                                   Anders Dahlvig         5/10
13 Heartbreak Hotel                            Deborah Moggach        7/10
14 Bullfighting                                Roddy Doyle            7/10
15 Armadillo                                   William Boyd           7/10
16 Made in Britain                             James Bower            7/10
17 Villain's Daughter                          Roberta Kray           6/10
18 Expats                                      Chris Pavone           7/10
19 Cocktail Waitress                           James Cain             8/10
20 Streetwise                                  Roberta Kray           5/10
21 Dry                                         Augusten Burroughs     8/10
22 Lucky Jim                                   Kingsley Amis          7/10
23 Live at the Brixton Academy                 Simon Parkes           9/10
24 The Complete Parkhurst Tales                Norman Parker          6/10
25 Kings Road                                  Max Decharne           7/10
26 Wilt                                        Tom Sharpe             9/10
27 Flight into Camden                          David Storey           7/10
28 Instructions for a Heatwave                 Maggie O'Farrell       8/10
29 The Forgotten Garden                        Kate Morton            9/10
30 My Manor                                    Charlie Richardson     6/10
31 Brighton Rock                               Graham Greene          7/10
32 All of These People                         Fergal Keane           9/10
33 Union Street                                Pat Barker             8/10
34 Hellraisers                                 Robert Sellers         6/10
35 From Right Wing to B Wing                   Mark Ward              7/10
35 Lush Life                                   Richard Price          3/10 did not finish
36 You have 3 Minutes                          Richard Bellino        3/10 did not finish
37 The Shock of the Fall                       Nathan Filer           5/10
38 Unexpected Lessons in Love                  Bernardine Bishop      9/10
39 The Postman Always Rings Twice              James Cain             7/10
40 Case Histories                              Kate Atkinson          8/10
41 The Case of the Missing Books               Ian Sansom             8/10
42 One Day                                     David Nicholls         9/10
43 Playing the Moldovans at Tennis             Tony Hawks             8/10
44 Finding Peggy: a Glasgow Childhood          Meg Henderson          8/10
45 Whitethorn Woods                            Maeve Binchy           8/10
46 The Sure Thing                              Nick Townsend          7/10
47 Love For Now                                Anthony Wilson         7/10
48 Mr Dixon Disappears                         Ian Sansom             7/10
49 Boozers, Ballcocks and Bail                 Stephen Smith          8/10

Black Vinyl, White Powder - Simon Napier-Bell
a look at the seedier side of the music industry over 50 years, surprised at some of the people using drugs including stars of the 40's dance band era. Napier-Bell has had many jobs in the business so knows what he is talking about. A good read. 8/10

Paul Weller, The Changing Man - Paolo Hewitt
Hewitt was a mate of Wellers from when they were both about 14 and this is his story of how he saw the Jam come together and become famous. A bit dull really. 6/10

Young Hearts Run Free: The Real Story of the 1970s - Dave Haslam
Haslam was an NME journalist and DJ at the Hacienda. This is not just a story of 70's music but the politics of the time including the strikes and the IRA bombings. Well put together and reminded me of a few things I had forgotton. 8/10

Ska'd for Life: A Personal Journey with The Specials - Horace Panter
Horace was the Bass player and original founding member from Coventry. This is a diary of his life in the group and also the story of the two-tone label. Some good stories about some of their tours. 7/10

The Brian Epstein Story - Debbie Geller
very detailed story right from Epstein's childhood to death. Not sure who the writer is but she knows her stuff and shows that Epstein also had his failings as the Beatles manager. Good insight into the London scene of the late 50's early 60's. 8/10

Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Loog Oldham was a bit of a wannabe who latched onto the Stones after seeing them at a gig. he started out as The Beatles PR man working for Epstein but he wanted his own fame. He started out as mainly PR for the Stones but he also produced songs and he was the one who got Jagger/Richards to start writing their own material. This book cover his life up until 1964/5, I am currently reading the follow up. 8/10

2Stoned - Andrew Loog Oldham
Jeez this took some getting through as it zig zags all over the place from one decade to another in no order. There are some good anecdotes about various faces from the 60's and he talks briefly about why he left The Stones. He is actually very lucky to still be alive with the drink and drugs he took, infact many of his peers died very young. If you asked 10 people on their views of ALO you would probably get 10 different answers, a complex man but if you think about it this guy was only 19 when he guided The Stones and he developed many management/promotion techniques that are still used today. He was a pioneer without doubt. 6/10

Music The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals - Ann Harrison
don't think this will be of any interest to chit chat but it is excellent as it is one of the few books mainly written for the UK market. The author has been a lawyer for years and has worked with loads of big names, tells you all the legalities and percentages of what artists should be earning for the input they have provided. Bang up to date with info on digital media and what to be careful of. 8/10

England's Dreaming, the Sex Pistols and Punk Rock - Jon Savage
actually his name is Jon Sage but I suppose that doesn't sound as hard, well qualified to write on the subject though as he has worked for all the major musical press labels and also ran his own fanzine. Despite the title it is not just about the Pistols, he covers all the main players of the era plus also quite a bit dedicated to the fashion outlets especially McClaren's and Viv Westwoods. Some good Pistols stories that I had never heard before like all their gear was knicked. The PA system was robbed off the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo and belonged to Roxy Music, the guitars were robbed from Rod Stewarts and Ronnie Woods houses in London and they also got a nice fur coat from Keith Richards house. I say they but it was actually just Steve Jones who was a total thief. Malcolm McClaren freely admits he was in awe of the impresario Larry Parnes and tried to base himself on him by exaggerating his Jewish roots which seemed to work. One part that really surprised me was the discussion of Sid's ability as a musician, many will know he replaced the reasonably accomplished Glen Matlock on bass. Sid had already had a stint as a drummer and a sax player with the early Banshees, but everyone said that he could have been a very good bass player if he had kept off the drugs. Apparently he could listen to a song and in one evening pick out and learn the bass lines himself, surprised me I always thought he was ****. It will keep you busy for a while as it is 600+ pages and it can drift off at a tangent sometimes. 8/10

Stand and Deliver: My Autobiography - Adam Ant
poor bloke had already been married and tried to top himself before he was famous. Hung around on the fringes of the Punk scene and decided he wanted to be famous himself, came from art school as many did. Malcolm McClaren was his first manager but he knicked Adam's backing group to be in Bow Wow Wow, obviously they fell out. Shacked up with some tasty women Amanda Donahue, Jamie Lee Curtis, Heather Graham and a few page 3 dollies. He was a very disturbed man and was bi-polar, however when he seemed to turn a corner he would stop taking his medication and be back to square one again. He could never really decide if he wanted to be a pop star or an actor, when he had a bit of success in one area he left it and went to the other. I was surprised to read how successful he was in the US. Had another failed marriage and a daughter at the turn of the millennium, seemed to finally control his illness but this was 2006 so suppose he could have had another turn since. 7/10