Customer Reviews

Escape from Bellevue: A Dive Bar Odyssey

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was such a phenomenal read. Chris Campion's amazing sense of humor and storytelling abilities nearly overshadow his unbelievably tragic confessions. This is a book that will have you laughing out loud while restoring your faith in friends, family, and the healing power of rock and roll. A fantastic book!

Chris has been there, done that. He's even gotten the t-shirt...and vomited all over it.
"There" and "that," of course, are a mental institution and various states of depravity and rock-bottomdom.
The inspiring thing about "Escape" is that rather than crashing and burning and dying in semi-obscurity as so many who have gotten close to the RnR flame have, Chris shows the lessons that can be gleaned in the most miserable of circumstances and that surviving is possible. He holds up a mirror in which can easily be seen our own family dysfunctions and personal weaknesses.
If I can be holding my sides, gasping for air from laughter all while nodding that, "oh man I'm ****ed up like that, too" while hearing Chris's tales, then I consider that storyteller one of the brilliant minds and commentators of our generation.

It's an immensely entertaining read from a thoughtful, smart, funny guy whose liver rivals that of Darryl Strawberry's and whose powers of observation approach George Carlin's.

This truly is an Odyssey... Up, down and all around. Like everyone else, I couldn't put this gem down. I found myself gut laughing-out loud, alone. Now you know that's good. There's something for everybody. DON'T miss this!!!

You HAVE to read Escape from Bellevue if any of the following are true:
--you love someone who has suffered from addiction,
--you've ever fallen short of accomplishing your dreams,
--you've fought against growing up at all,
--you love rock music,
--you love a good story,
--you love reading memoirs.

Chris Campion, lead singer of New York-based indie rock band Knockout Drops, shares his dramatic story of battling alcoholism and drug addiction against the backdrop of the band never meeting his (and members of the music industry's) expectations of greatness. The Knockout Drops were never signed, which led Campion into a downward spiral of days-long binges and suicidal ramblings, precipitating three trips to Bellevue psychiatric hospital. But, while the content of the book is at times shockingly sad, Campion's self-deprecating humor will make you laugh out loud--literally. It's hard to believe Campion is alive, much less here to tell his story in a voice that is not bitter, but disarming, humble and funny. Escape from Bellevue is simply a great read.

This troubadour's tale is truly unique. The humor and honesty are alive and kicking from start to finish. A gorgeously gritty valentine to NYC, rock n roll, and the human spirit. You will recognize your own clan in this book; no matter where on the planet they may gather. Flawlessly addictive story-telling, I couldn't put it down!

Campion is a natural storyteller. His stories within-the-story are as hilarious as those of Charles Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson. But this first-time author's life story offers more than just funny or shocking drunken anecdotes, more than just drug-addled gonzo reporting. You will certainly laugh and most likely cringe at his exploits on and off the rock n roll stage, but unlike other books of this genre you will also be moved and inspired by the author's battle to recover from a nearly lifelong addiction to alcohol, drugs, and avoiding "the real world," and that is because he does something that many of us in the real world can't or won't do: he is completely honest with himself, and with us. Campion lays bare his soul, admitting to all of us how he got here, why he couldn't hold down a "real job," why he lost faith in religion, why he couldn't make relationships work with the sweet, intelligent, beautiful young women who loved him. As he admits, he had an idyllic childhood, a loving family, great friends and a wonderful girlfriend, but that wasn't enough for him. He wanted it ALL; he wanted to be a rock star. Some will conclude that he failed because he didn't become rich and famous, and because his addictions nearly killed him and caused great pain for his loved ones. But I came to greatly admire his spirit, going "all in" without a back-up plan. He hasn't made it all the way to the top (yet), but what a hell of a journey he's had trying. And at the end of the day, he beat his addictions, he's doing what he loves, he's happy, and has more friends and more fun than most of us materialistic nine-to-fivers could ever dream of. That makes him a winner in my book. I'll look forward to the next book from this multi-talented original.

Chris Campion's honest accounting of his winding path through and back to life. How his passion for his music and people sustained him through rough years of addiction and loss. His ability to see the best in all around him, even in the most absurd, is something we can all learn from. Campion has his own entertaining way of conveying this life odyssey that is so real and honest and yes even hilarious. What a journey. The read profoundly touched and enlightened me.

I came across this book in the New Releases section at my local book store. I was drawn to it by the interesting title and the even more interesting jacket art. Two days and 366 pages later I was done with an incredibly written, powerful tale of faith lost, a promising life sent spiraling to depths few could imagine, faith regained, and the climb out of this self imposed abyss. A tale told, ironically, with a humor that had me laughing-out-loud through much of the journey. The fact that the author is a talented musician is secondary to the story itself, but the familiar A-List names that are involved in many of these masterfully told stories only adds to the excellence of the book. I would highly recommend it to all.

Ed Pelisson

Chris Campion is masterful story-teller. He gets your attention right from the beginning and keeps it until the last page. This story of addiction is all at once hilarious, tragic, achingly honest and ultimately touching. If Campion can wrestle with his formidable personal demons and beat them, so can we all.

To anyone who grew up in the 70's and 80's in suburbia USA. Chris' tale takes the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions starting with the high jinks of adolescence, the beginings of adulthood and responsibility, the shock of reality and self destruction and finally the consequences and realization of self preservation.

Personnally, I laughed harder than I have in a long time. My heart was also breaking at times as well. I loved the book.