The Fall [Paperback]

Mick Middles (Author), Mark E Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

Having known Fall leader Mark E. Smith since 1977, Manchester based music writer Mick Middles is ideally placed to pen the first ever authorized biography of this most inscrutable of bands led by one of the few genuine characters in rock today. Middles' biography, written with the full co-operation of Smith, will detail some 26 years on the fringe of the Manchester punk scene, three dozen albums, endless touring, two successful staged plays and numerous spoken-word events. Enigmatic, highly quotable, and adored by the music press, Smith s distinctive brand of working class intellectualism and unpretentious broadsides make for a biography that is highly entertaining and wholly illuminating.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Manchester based Mick Middles has written for Sounds and about rock for the Manchester Evening News. He has written books on Oasis, the Stone Roses, New Order and Joy Division and also on sport, including the authorised biography of Viv Richards, the outstanding batsman and former captain of the West Indies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711997624
• ISBN-13: 978-0711997622
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,892,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mark E, Not the Fall., December 16, 2005

By 

Richard A. Gibson Jr. "Barco Rebar" (Washington DC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fall (Paperback)

I was impressed with the information on the Information about Mark E Smith, the driven leader on one of the most different, yet the same sounding band, The Fall. The Fall are one of the greatest bands ever, With 40 some Original Albums/CD's. Millions of Singles. Millions of members from the 76-current they have been making records. However this book is more about Mark E since Mark Middles is a friend and sometime viewer/fan of the band. The fall did have a good 20 year run of a handful of people, and then when that 'whole part of the band was fired/or quit' Mark E has had 100 times more people then those 20 years of a 'core' of people. I want to hear from his Ex- Brix, who changed and made the fall very listenable and got them airplay. Stephen Hanley. The best bass player ever of inducing hypno-dirges is not talked about much. This is about Mark E the singer, poet, author, brilliant lyric minded man...psychic. I found it all entertaining. Having met Mark E, 3 times, he seems to be the same as I remember him. Interesting to a point when you would never want to walk away from his unlimited information of everything to talk about. There is much interviews at bars. Alcohol is a big part of life, though not talked about. UI think overall, the authors Friendship with mark got the interviews many have wanted to hear, but Mark E, being who very intimidating I think has made the author not ask the 'bomb' throwing questions. the intervier with his mom is nice. No Sisters? No other bandmates really. Though there is enough info in this book to satisfy and entertain anyone. It could be part 1 of a 10 volume series. There is so much more to the Man and more so the Band.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars worth it simply because there isn't anything better, November 29, 2005

By 

C. T. Crawford (SF, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fall (Paperback)

This book is the worst sort of worshipful rock criticism imaginable. It discusses Mark E. Smith and his ongoing, ever-changing band the Fall, in the sickeningly fawning tones usually reserved for hairless-chested boy bands and aging supposed icons. MES is neither, and fares poorly as a result. This book seems more about justifying Middles' fraying presence at Fall gigs than actually saying anything intelligent about what goes on at them. Perhaps worst of all, the text occasionally dissolves into a scattershot impressionism of style in a pathetic attempt to mirror that of his idol.

All that being said, Middles is a long time acquaintance of MES, and has close interview access to him, his family, and the various former band members and fans that make up the nebula surrounding this inimitable musical force. MES apparently worked on and off with Middles in the writing of the book, and some of the interviews and reprinted prose pieces are quite interesting for someone curious about Smith's working habits and musical ideas. They would make a great 30 paged xeroxed handout. If you're a huge fan who loves boyishly giddy show reminiscences, shell out the ducats and marvel at Middle's powers to disappoint. If you're interested in going a little bit further into what is a very rich subject, write your own book.