What are you reading?

[V-GER]

I hate to say it but it looks like I am the only one who doesn't read much it at all! I haven't read a book in ten years!

[Diana]

That propelled me into finally reading Get in the Van. I'd been putting it off forever because ol' Hammerin' Hank can be just as twit-ish as our good buddy Danzig and I didn't want to read anything that would diminish my enjoyment of the mighty Black Flag. I'm sure that Rollins would justify himself as "hating everyone" during that time, but, man, does he come off like the typical terrified-of-women misogynist. There are parts of Get in the Van that are amusing, but for the most part it's just so ridiculously self righteous and overly serious that's only amusing as unintentional comedy. Sad that. It could be quite an intelligent and entertaining book if it wasn't filled with so much contradictory and straight up silly bullshit.

I'm getting prepared for Kegger Book Club. My impression so far:

The part from '81-'83 is really entertaining. But he starts quoting from his journal in '83 and now it's all "There's a lot they'll never know. I don't want the things they want. I'm losing all hope for people. I don't feel like writing anymore. I hate everything and I'm lonely and I think there's no way out. Destroyed by the eyes of the world." The kind of shit you scrawl in the margins of your math book when you're mad at your parents. Also the photos have gotten mopier somehow, with the rest of the band all cheery while Hank stares sadly down at his mesh shirt.

Is it like this for the rest of the book? Because I can't stop laughing.

[badcarburetor]

Yep, guffaws are par for the course through the rest of book.

He contradicts himself over and over..."I now hate the road. All I want is be in shed by myself to write in my journal until the end of time." Two days into being back in the shed, "I hate sitting here doing nothing. It's like I'm dying inside as the walls force themselves against me. I need the road. I love the road. I'm addicted to the road..." Rinse and repeat. And he's like that about everything;; utterly contradictory.

I think my favorite part was when he came back from a tour and found that Pettibon had grown a 7' pot plant outside the door to the shed and it nearly made Hank cry. He has real issues with weed which I just find hysterical. What a drama queen.

I think the Ginns were pretty annoyed with the way that he called that spot a "shed." According to everyone else, it was a nice furnished outdoor office space.


Currently reading:
Neon Angel: Memoir of a Teenage Runaway by Cherie Currie
I read the original version of this back about twenty years ago. This is the new updated version that was the basis for the recent flick. It's an interesting read, but, with all the Joan Jett and Kenny Lugana involvment, I have doubts about the authenticity of this version. Still, loaded with sex, drugs and glam rock.

[sleyja]

Currently reading:
Neon Angel: Memoir of a Teenage Runaway by Cherie Currie
I read the original version of this back about twenty years ago. This is the new updated version that was the basis for the recent flick. It's an interesting read, but, with all the Joan Jett and Kenny Lugana involvment, I have doubts about the authenticity of this version. Still, loaded with sex, drugs and glam rock.

Cool. I read it way back then too. I've been was curious about this new edition. Is the whole book updated or did they just add on chapters?

[V03GTLIN]

"I now hate the road. All I want is be in shed by myself to write in my journal until the end of time." Two days into being back in the shed, "I hate sitting here doing nothing. It's like I'm dying inside as the walls force themselves against me. I need the road. I love the road. I'm addicted to the road..." Rinse and repeat. And he's like that about everything;; utterly contradictory.

I hate how I fucking hear Henry's voice in my head. That "poetic," aware voice of his... Easy Jesus...

Thought the Ginns were complete burners? Every other photo I have of Greg Ginn he's in a Steal Yr Face tee.

[badcarburetor]

I haven't read Neon Angel since the initial release, so my memory is hazy. Basically, it seems like a total re-write with bits of the old books fitted into the new narrative. If you are a fan of the band it's defo worth the read.

The Ginns - and pretty much all of the Flag contingent - were stoners. It's actually pretty funny to read about how they all came out to each other about it the Spray Paint the Walls book. And it's yet another thing that The Hammer gets his panties in a wad about. If you like Flag, get SPtW. It's a very good read as is the English book on Hank called, I think, Turned On.

[In Ruins]

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. I haven't had time to pick it up in a while. I really need to finish it because the first half is fucking amazing. Check it out.

[Asrynth]

I like reading autobiographies by people who led ridiculous lives, I recently read:

"Brother Sam" (The extraordinary life of Sam Kinison)
"Pryor Convictions and other life sentences" (richard Pryor)
and "The Chris Farley Show" (about farley)

If you like hearing accounts about crazy and outrageous life experiences that actually took place, I recommend reading any of the above, probably some of the most entertaining books you can read IMO.

[Generubin]

I hate to say it but it looks like I am the only one who doesn't read much it at all! I haven't read a book in ten years!

It is okay at least you would survive where I live.

[WREKage-Paul]

I like reading autobiographies by people who led ridiculous lives, I recently read:

"Brother Sam" (The extraordinary life of Sam Kinison)
"Pryor Convictions and other life sentences" (richard Pryor)
and "The Chris Farley Show" (about farley)

If you like hearing accounts about crazy and outrageous life experiences that actually took place, I recommend reading any of the above, probably some of the most entertaining books you can read IMO.

Try "Final Truth: The Autobiography of Mass-Murderer and Serial Killer Pee-wee Gaskins." The scene where he accidentally picks up two teenage boys (thinking they were girls), has his way with them and then drowns them in the swamp, like all of his "Coastal Killin's," is pretty hardcore.

And best of all, he was almost local!


Now reading: 1633, David Weber and Eric Flint.

[Diana]

I like reading autobiographies by people who led ridiculous lives, I recently read:

"Brother Sam" (The extraordinary life of Sam Kinison)
"Pryor Convictions and other life sentences" (richard Pryor)
and "The Chris Farley Show" (about farley)

If you like hearing accounts about crazy and outrageous life experiences that actually took place, I recommend reading any of the above, probably some of the most entertaining books you can read IMO.

Those are some crazy motherfuckers right there. I might have to check all of those out.

Anybody like reading about cocaine? Like mounds and mounds of cocaine? George Jones "I Lived to Tell it All." I found it in the break room one day and read it cover to cover. It's about cocaine. And also about growing up really really country. I enjoyed it a lot.

[V03GTLIN]

Is this the same book where he's all wasted and his wife takes the keys away from him b/c he's trying to get more hooch and he says fuck it and takes the riding lawnmower to the likker sto?

[Diana]

Is this the same book where he's all wasted and his wife takes the keys away from him b/c he's trying to get more hooch and he says fuck it and takes the riding lawnmower to the likker sto?

Yes, this is one of the many wasted antics Mr. Jones gets up to in the course of the book. I think he's using it as a sort of apology to the world.

[V03GTLIN]

Goddamn. I love George Jones.

[Knucklehead]

Goddamn. I love George Jones.

And I think I know what my father meant
when he sang about a lost highway
and old George Jones I'm glad to see
he's finally getting straight,
and Waylon staying home
and loving Jesse more these days,
and nobody wants to get drunk and get loud
and all my rowdy friends have settled down.

Pretty sad when you outlast George Jones.