Deep Tank Jersey [Paperback]

James Campion (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 1996

"Deep Tank Jersey" is a first person romp through the subculture of night life on the New Jersey club circuit with one of its premier bands, Dog Voices. It is an inside look at life in the fastlane with hard working musicians and the twisted people who surround them nightly. Many other top NJ bands, their roadies, groupies, management, and agents are studied. Owners, bouncers, and employees of popular night spots tell wild and sometimes moving stories of success and failure in a dog eat dog business that changes on the fly. It is also a story of lonliness and passion in a world where the thrill-a-minute philosophy can blur lines and create a bizarre reality. A strange and terrible place to make a living.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Deep Tank Jersey' is the underground world of middle class rock n' roll that someone had to write about. Everything from inebriation to incarceration and back. A wholy enjoyable read for the club veteran and frightened novice." -- EC Rocker 8/4/96

"I'm in that thing!" -- Razz from KRock NY

"James Campion dives right into the heart of the band scene. No subject is taboo, be it personal or professional. From Monte's notorious -- sometimes say dangerous -- stage antics to the legendery band, Dog Voices feelings on touring, fans, and each other." -- Steppin' Out Entertainment Magazine 1/29/96

"No one is spared James Campion's satirical wit in this rollercoaster ride of a book. And the best perk is that it is all true. Anyone who has been in a band, worked in, or frequented any rock club will enjoy this jaunt through the circus life of crazies and big hearts who have called the edge home." -- More Suger Entertainment 5/98

"This is one fun book." -- The Nerds

"This is simply the best example of life out of bounds written about our tiny corner of the world." "I would kill that bastard Campion if I could stop laughing!" -Monte from Dog Voices -- LBI Islander 7/96

"We do not recommend attempting anything written in 'Deep Tank Jersey', but it sure is a fun read!" -- Aquarian Weekly 6/24/97

About the Author

James Campion is a freelance writer and broadcaster whose main goal as an author is to comb the depths of the human spirit and find anything there to possibly exploit. He began his literary journey in the miserable world of journalism where the cannibals and vampires became his sources and the weary and disconnected read him voraciously. A baseball strike, long nights paining over a sports book, and a nasty break-up forced him into the crazed world of the New Jersey Club where he finished his first book, "Deep Tank Jersey." He is currently penning a column called "Reality Check" for the Aquarian Weekly and fighting editors of all shapes and sizes throughout the US. His second book of essays, letters, and columns called "Fear No Art" is presently being essemlbed for escape.

Product Details

• Paperback: 377 pages
• Publisher: Callaloo Pr (July 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963533851
• ISBN-13: 978-0963533852
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,246,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Tank Jersey Is A One-Of-A-Kind Find!, May 16, 2001

By 

Marc David Gambino (Hasbrouck Heights, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Tank Jersey (Paperback)

In DTJ, James Campion journals a summer with "Dog Voices", one of the hardest working cover bands on the Jersey circuit. He manages to infiltrate their camp, gain their trust, and become one of them. His insightful personality and unique writing style make the book incredibly interesting; especially when you consider it's not a chronicle of a celebrity act AND when you realize he doesn't even use song titles during the descriptions of their performance(s). JC has been a long-time columnist for the Aquarian, a popular music weekly on the East Coast. This book, along with his other entitled "Fear No Art: Observations on the death of an American century" (which compiles his "Reality Check" columns from that paper) are great reading for fans of satire and substance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Journal on Musicians Ever!!, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Deep Tank Jersey (Paperback)

I heard about James Campion on a Hunter WS. Thompson site, and picked up Deep Tank on Amazon.com and absolutely loved it! There is nothing down here that compares to the Jersey scene. I was up there once and couldn't believe the atmosphere for music. This is the BEST book on traveling musicians ever written. Campion is the new Gonzo king!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Jersey Shore Nightlife Underground Comes Alive!, March 27, 2001

By 

Darren Pavlone (Hoboken) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Tank Jersey (Paperback)

James Campion is one of the bright young nonfiction writers of the new century, and he got a head start on this one. Back in 1995 the Jersey rock scene was changing and the craziness of life on the road in the clubs began with the swirling tide of Dog Voices. Their outrageous story is all-true in this thrilling page-turner. "Deep Tank Jersey" is "Almost Famous" times one-thousand.

It was one of the best books on rock and roll I've ever read, and I've read my share.