Customer Reviews

Black Postcards: A Memoir

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Anyone who's ever been in a band, worked with a band, or (like most of us) known a band will love this book. Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Dean Wareham kept diary notes of his years with Galaxie 500 and then the long 11 year run of the big-label band Luna. Keeping track of the dates and places made it possible for him to build this full-bodied memoir, along with all the highs and lows of what dedicated rock musicians go through, on the road especially but also in the studio. Everything you've always wanted to know about the life is in there, told with a noble sort of honesty and humor and sometimes pain. Wareham still performs--see DeanandBritta.com--with his wife in the U.S. and Europe. -Jerry Rosco (author of the bio Glenway Wescott Personally)

I bought their vinyls
went to their gigs
and loved the band, their music, their very peculiar and touching sound
back then Galaxie 500 had evrything I cherished in bands
perfect pop songs, influenced by all the bands we were listening to from VU; Spacemen3, Joy Division to Acetone
even Pastels, Jad Fair ...the Dead ...Roky Erickson ...
Rupert you're wrong Galaxie 500 and later Luna, Damon&Noemie, Dean & Britta now ARE all awesome bands/artists/musicians
Check what Damon & Naomie are doing now - publishing incredibly interesting (sometime weird) litterature (check Exact Change) by geniuses like Salvadore Dali, Alfred Jarry !!
Sterling Morrison (VU) , Tom Verlaine, former Feelies member Stan Demeski, Fred Maher (Lou Reed), KRAMER (aka King Kramer = Shimmy Disc : Ween's first label)and more all these guys have worked with either Galaxie 500 or Luna
Check Them all OUt ! You won't be disapointed
if you're into all the bands mentionned above (add Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Secret Machines, Black Keys, Fernice Bros, Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Love Battery, Beat Happening, ++) that is !
And Read The book ...
Thnks

IhS

This is one of the silliest, smartest, so-laid-back-it-fell-over, insightful, off-the-wall, tongue-in-cheek, infectious, hypnotic reverb driven musical diaries that's ever come down the pike [certainly out on Route 128]. It's impossible not to have a smile inch across your face with every turn of the page ... and I highly recommend a chapter each morning PRN, it's as good as Valium. "Black Postcards" gives reason for any inspiring musician to make notes on the day, everyday. It's rumored that Jenell Kesler now owns Dean Wareham's guitar, yep, the one he's holding on the cover. Now how sweet is that?

Reads like a novel. How can I begin to describe this painfully insightful take on one brilliant artist's experiences in the record business which has declined significantly in both sales and artistic merit in recent years... Luna will always be the best band nobody's ever heard of... and incidentally mr rupert, there are many factors that determine why RUBBISH like Britney Spears sells units, while works of art like Luna's entire discography draw the interest of a select but enlightened few of the human race. Dean Wareham gives a very moving account of his experiences on the road, in the studio, at home in his personal life through a period when the music world became further and further swallowed and shallowed by corporate interests. The memoir of an artist who has truly lived for his art and has received high critical acclaim and made a living playing music, which is one of the most commendable successes ANYONE can claim. This book is a must read not only Luna fans, but for anyone who was involved in the music business through these years and therefore knows the score. Dean's story is gripping and drew both chuckles and tears from this reader. Wonderful.

Every bit as soporific and mediocre as the music. Virtually nobody bought the cds so why anyone would want to read the stories behind them is beyond me. Here at last, made real for you, its the dreary life of a C list indie band that couldn't even keep themselves happy -- or their record companies in the black; 15 albums or something and not one a hit. Get the message already. Cult is just another word for crap and this is just one more attempt to package the hype around these guys and separate you from your money. And Penguin no less; just perfect for such pretentious drivel.