Customer Reviews

Of Grunge & Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!

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

 

 

Of Grunge And Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy! is both memoir and political platform. Krist Novoselic, bass player and founding member of the widely-known rock band Nirvana, calls readers to action - stressing the importance of getting up and taking part, in small ways and large. His own work in benefit concerts and the founding of JAMPAC (Joing Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee) reveals the efforts to which he has gone to get the message out; his drive to make contributions is infectious, healthy, and inspirational for a democracy and a community meant to be of, by, and for the people. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jennifer Leblanc for Small Spiral Notebook

One of the forefathers of grunge has gone political. Krist Novoselic, former bassist for Nirvana, has written a book entitled, Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!

As he chronicles his punk/grunge days in Washington we follow his trail into politics. First are the anti-desert storm concerts that Nirvana played and the youth-driven 1992 election. But the real influence came when Novoselic had a hand in defeating the Erotic Music Law in 1992, which labeled certain albums for Adult's Only. In 1995 the same law under a different name brought Novoselic to the state house, the legislature, working with lobbyists and the governor for another victory. He was hooked enough to start JAMPAC, Joint Artists & Music Promotions Political Action Committee, which supports pro-music and free speech candidates for office.

The later chapters explain certain aspects of government and elections in thorough and accessible but not condescending ways. He explains Super-Party Districts, Instant Run-off Voting and the possible reforms for elections. He doesn't just bemoan the fact that not al votes count; he has ideas to make that change.

Novoselic does not simply spout off his anger at the government or America's political flaws. Through the years he used his anger as motivation for change, not inertia, and found a calling in public office (he is currently running for Lieutenant Governor of Washington State). Although he loves a good rally just as much as the next activist, he has learned first hand that more can be done inside the system than outside.

Though lacking the spontaneous excitement of a street march, testifying at a public hearing is another opportunity to constructively get something off your chest. Regardless of the approach, the idea is to address attempts at tyranny in the nonviolent context of the democratic process. That's what the U.S. is supposed to be about.

He also advocates involvement at any level. He outlines the benefits of public hearings, old-fashioned local lodges like the Elks and Grange, which he is a member of, and also highlights message boards, weblogs and meet-ups.

The best thing about this book is Novoselic's refreshing hope about the future. He often quotes the American founders, the constitution, and speaks from the heart about enjoying the freedoms we all take for granted, like voting and participation. He writes early on: "I am actually very enthusiastic about American Democracy and the possibilities for real change. It's just a matter of getting word out." With all the current political controversy brewing at home and abroad, he has picked the perfect time to do so.

Like most people, my connection to the name of Krist Novoselic is somewhat limited; "the bass player for Nirvana" as he actually mentions in the opening pages of his book. To this end, it was quite enjoyable to find that a man from band who wrote such songs as "Territorial Pissings" and "Rape Me" could write a book with such articulate and intelligent content. The book loses some steam as it reads on, partly because it becomes less and less of a personal account as Novoselic shifts his writing from music to political ideology. His thoughts on the inadequacies of the two party system and the flip-flop nature of post 9/11 nationalism are intriguing. His writing also focuses a lot on events that affected the Pacific Northwest. While it was interesting to hear of these events for the first time (such as the Teen Dance Ordinance), I had little personal connection to it as a New Englander. Overall, a good read if for no other reason than to gain some validation that even the grungiest of rock stars from the apathetic 90's have a strong political voice.

In this book Krist details his life including meeting Kurt Cobain for the first time: Kurt making lava lamps (badly!), his first time entering Kurts house (profane cartoons drawn on walls!) the forming of Nirvana (Kurt as a deity).
It points out his political views, as well as his intelligence.
Novoselic is no basher, he doesn't talk trash about any party and he becomes very respectful as each page turns.
If you want to know about Nirvana from Krist's perspective try this book out.

... each generation has its musical heroes who have their time at the top, and then must give way to the next. Some retire to a well-earned obscurity; some suffer through endless "Monsters Of Rock" tours; a happy few move on to other creative endeavours.

This book comes from a man who has moved on. Building on his experience as a working musician, Novoselic tells in concrete stories how he learned that (a) community-level politics are important to all of us, (b) it is possible for all Americans to do our part in politics and (c) this can be a source of great personal satisfaction and achievement.

Novoselic's claim to fame is his music, so in this book he starts with that part of his life. And why not? he's just the latest of many showmen who used their skill & experience to move into American public life, from Ronnie Reagan and Sonny Bono to The Terminator. It's only fair to attract an audience by using what interests them; give them a few Kurt Cobain stories if that's what they want!

Novoselic moves from the music to the politics by writing about experiences he has actually had, e.g. a small town meeting discussing whether to host a music concert; a large city debating dancehall regulation. By the time Novoselic gets to his general ideas for improving the mechanics of our political process, he has demonstrated that he's not just makin' it up; he's actually walked the talk, and is reporting what he's learned.

Novoselic's words are not complex and erudite; some might think that he writes too simply or plainly. That's not a fault, it's an asset for people who want a quick read. You can zip through this in an hour, and then pass it on to a friend.

The most important asset of the book is the political neutrality of the author's call for civic involvement. Novoselic is clearly a populist and proud of it, but he is calling for all Americans to get into the game, not just those who agree with him. The prescriptions he gives for political action work as well for Red Staters as for Blue Staters. We will not all agree with the author's particular political goals, but we all will benefit from reading what he thinks we should do to improve our political process.

We can't all be rockstars. But, as this book points out, we can ALL serve our community and our country in local politics.

Or ... we can sit on the couch, watch MTV, and fade away.

Your call, dude!

Most of the world knows Novoselic as the bassist from the grunge band Nirvana. I know him as a neighbor and participant in local affairs. He is calm, well-spoken, careful with his words. And this is more than apparent in his book. There is no hysteria here; the book suffers from no hype. He merely -- and quite elegantly -- moves from the discussion of his participation in one of the great rock bands of all time to his participation in politics. And he offers a well thought-out discussion of the political reform he considers most important: Instant Runoff Voting.

We need, he argues, to make democracy relevant to more voters. And voters today realize quite well how rigged the current system is. It is rigged to <em>decrease</em> the breadth of ideas, the breadth of interests represented.

He believes that allowing voters with alternative views -- views alternative to the straitjacket of Left and Right, Democratic and Republican -- to vote for their views and yet not be penalized by our first-past-the-post plurality vote electoral system.

It's an interesting case. I'm sympathetic, though I am more interested in Condorcet voting than IRV. Still, Novoselic makes a clear, even compelling case for his favored reform. He wishes to bring government under greater citizen control by giving citizens the tools actually to do this. Very good. The book is highly recommended, even to those who don't give a fig about grunge rock. The engineering of democracy should be of interest to everybody, no?

i started reading this and i couldn't put it down. it was so interesting and it really opened up my eyes. krist is and amazing musician and this proves he is also an amazing writer. he deserves a lot of credit, for picking up the pieces after kurt died and for still succeeding in everything he does. you all should read this, its an awsome book.

I saw Krist read from this book at a music festival this summer. I was impressed by his passion and commitment but also by his detailed knowledge of the issues surrounding democratic reform. Perhaps he's not the most elegant writer, his prose is engaging and straightforward. It's a fun, quick, and inspiring read. I give copies out to teenage aspiring rockers who populate my town's all-ages shows as a way of teaching them about the history of underground music and also as a way of helping them figure out why it's important to be politically engaged.

I think Krist Novoselic is a) A very kind human being b) a very smart human being c)an excellent musician d) more knowledgable about politics and government thatn I could ever be. This book is a testement to Novoselic's lust to learn about his country and how it works, and coming from a rock and roll party guy to someone who realized there was more to life than that. This book, Of grunge and government, is not aimed at stuck up intellectual snobs, and is not fit for their tongue wagging. This book is aimed at regular people, like myself, who know little about government and politics (for plain ignorance or lack of interest) and make it understandable and interesting, all while giving some new ideas toward improving things. I bought this mainly cause of the grunge aspect, but I found it to be thought provoking and worthwhile. Conservative jerks might lambast it (as here in this review forum), but Novoselic is no simpleton, ranter, or idealogue. He is what Dr. Phil wishes he was but could never be: the real deal.

This is an interesting little book. Novoselic argues, and rightfully so, that change must come from WITHIN the system, not by violent revolution. He names a number of ways by which to do this, including speaking out at community meetings, running for local office, etc. These are good thoughts, but they are well-trodden, and have been heard a number of times before. I don't think Novocelic is trying to speak to the "youth" of America here - I'm sure few people under 25 even know who he is (He's the guy in Nirvana who looks like Andy Kaufman) - but to people like me, who have aged somewhat, still cling to the ideals of their youth, and want to make a difference but aren't sure how. This is a flawed book, to be sure, but for someone who normally wouldn't pick up a political book, it could be seen as a call to make a difference. It's a short read (an hour or two), and I'd say worth it, but don't stop with this, it's merely an introduction to social change.