Bandalism: The Rock Group Survival Guide [Paperback]

Julian Ridgway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2008

Bandalism [ban-dəl-i-zəm] n .: the willful or malicious destruction of, or damage to, the fabric of a rock/pop/indie group brought about by one or more of its members

Axl Rose's monumental meltdowns . . . Kurt Cobain's tragic band-slaying suicide: The long history of platinum-selling überband implosions is more dramatic than a Russian novel. But even local cover bands can suffer the ill effects of the limelight.

Multi-rock-band veteran Julian Ridgway's Bandalism is a can't-miss guide to rock 'n' roll survival, offering sage advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that can doom your group. Here's how to:

• Find nonpsycho band members
• Craft the perfect band image
• Choose a name that doesn't suck

And much more, including the handy Healthy Band Checklist, an ideal MySpace profile generator, and the Second Album Venn Diagram.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Fun, funny and useful.” (The Guardian (UK) )

“How many musical icons’ bands have been plagued by ‘communication issues’? Avoid your band doing the same by reading Ridgway’s witty book.” (The List (UK) )

“History — and Spinal Tap — shows us that joining a rock’n’roll band is a terrible idea. Bandalism lays bare the long, bleak lows and brief, glorious highs of rock’n’roll life with wit and verve.” (Will Hodgkinson, author of SONG MAN and GUITAR MAN )

“The life of a band is hardly easy, which is why Julian Ridgway should be awarded a medal for showing us that there is actually a way to survive ourselves. So, before you hire the dude from the Metallica movie, do yourself a favor: Read this book.” (Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley, author of Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture )

About the Author

Julian Ridgway is an Oxford graduate and a veteran of at least a dozen bands who researches rock photographs and writes for a host of magazines. Born in Leicester, England, he now lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: It Books; First Edition edition (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061645591
• ISBN-13: 978-0061645594
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,228,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read even for nonprofessional musicians, June 14, 2009

By 

Eric H "Not a big fan..." (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bandalism: The Rock Group Survival Guide (Paperback)

I received this book as a joke of sorts due to the breakup of a band I was until things turned less then optimum and the band died. And I will admit seeing the title gave me a healthy chuckle, which inclined me to actually read the book and not simply leave it on my mantle as nothing more then a display piece.

Anyway, I really enjoyed having done that. The author possesses a certain attitude towards the mundane tasks musicians go through that they think are beneficial but, in reality, are a mere waste of time, or worse, detrimental to a band's health. He brings up several good ideas and thoughts on how to keep a band together during tough times. And he also has many keen observations on what good bands do to stay alive and healthy. He doesn't mince words on things he doesn't like or see in good light: He thinks music want ads are complete trite, and you will hear about it more then once.

Although, he does sometimes spend too much time on things that don't really matter or not very important in my eyes. There is an extensive chapter on where the reader should be and what to play in his or her band that includes a fairly long quiz and follow up analysis. It doesn't seem to be much more then a parody of bands with revolving members and I doubt it to be something to actually put into practice. However, it isn't a sufficient reason to dislike the book or not finish it. You can skip it easily and not feel lost or in a daze (this isn't the Da Vinci Code for musicians).

Bottom line: entertaining read. Creative and interesting. I recommend for any playing musician whether you are in a working, recording band or are simply a greasy-faced teen who plays drums with his friends on the weekends when mom is at work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for any library catering to musicians, July 18, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bandalism: The Rock Group Survival Guide (Paperback)

Deserving of ongoing mention is this survey of the malicious destruction to the fabric of a rock/pop band brought about by one or more of its members. There's a long history of 'bandalism' and this is the first to chronicle the experience and how to avoid the common indicators that it's affecting a group's performance, cohesiveness and music. Highly recommended for any library catering to musicians.