Our band could be your life

No way, all my favorite ‘80s indie bands in one 500-page book! With devastating detail and honesty, Azerrad chronicles the inside of an under-reported period of music: indie rock of the ‘80s, devoting separate chapters to the histories of 13 of its greatest bands. Those include: Black Flag, The Minutemen, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers, Big Black, Dinosaur Jr, Fugazi, Mudhoney and Beat Happening. Learn about how much Ian MacKaye et al. despised binge drinking, "On the Town" conformist culture; how J Mascis and Lou Barlow nearly killed each other with their personalities; how Bob Mould and Grant Hart led indie rock to the majors then subsequently exploded. Fueled by band interviews and vivid reminiscences from insiders, the book is a period piece full of music, politics, drugs, fear and faith. It’s amazing to notice just how much the young, DIY punk movement had in common with its ‘60s hippie ancestors (even though the new generation was disgusted by the hippie collapse and abandonment of its own ideals). Most of these bands lived commune lifestyles and remained somewhat in obscurity while making new, original music that challenged the status quo. Those that didn’t seemed to self-destruct. Makes for interesting reading, especially if you like this period of underground music and culture.