Head-On/Repossessed [Paperback]

Julian Cope (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2000

In 1995, rock'n'roll druid Julian Cope self-published his searingly honest autobiography Head On. This book continues the story from the time Julian left the punk band The Teardrop Explodes.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Cope's two-part autobiography, here bound together as one book to the delight of many fans, does not rely on tales of drug abuse and severe mood swings to hold the reader. Part 1, Head-On, first self-published in England in 1994, recounts Cope's struggles and eventual coming to grips with his status as a British music icon (he lead the Liverpool New Wave band the Teardrop Explodes). Part 2, Repossessed, details Cope's solo years and, strangely enough, his vicarious telephone travels with Echo and the Bunnymen drummer Pete de Freitas across America in the 1980s. With their casts of detailed characters, who take on literary qualities, both tales provide insight into the birth and growth of the British postpunk scene. Cope's transformation from a kid searching for acceptance to a rock star content with the search for self-understanding begs for a concluding third part. Recommended for larger libraries.DRobert Morast, Pro Rodeo Sports News, Colorado Springs
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Praise for Head-On/Reposessed: 'Visceral, ballsy, bitchy, brutal, beautifully written.' The Obersver, Book of the Year 'An enthralling saga of bitchiness, betrayal and unrepentent debauchery' Sunday Times, Book of the Year 'Wondrous memoirs of fleeting stardom and LSD-induced psychosis.' Q, 50 Best Music Books Ever (2001) 'Hilarious, observant and deeply subversive.' i-D 'Considered and self-deprecating!Mighty.' Time Out 'Repossessed!is one of the best books about the 80s ever written and without doubt the best book about toy cars, hermiting, integrity and drug paranoia.' The Guardian 'Cope's passion and intelligence are well served by a vein of self-deprecating wit.' The Telegraph 'Cope's rocking writing at its most infectious, moving and hilarious.' NME 'Compulsive reading!This man is truly a genius.' Loaded 'A wryly rendered masterpiece.' Q Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thorsons (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0722538820
• ISBN-13: 978-0722538821
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and Articulate, June 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Head-On/Repossessed (Paperback)

Cope is to be commended for writing such an objective and humble account of his days with the Teardrops etc. Especially noteworthy is his ability to relay (and recall) how he felt at the time without letting later events color his words. Reading the account af his first meeting with Ian McCulloch, for example, you'd never guess at the bad blood between them at the time it was written.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, April 7, 2001

By 

Patrick F Clifford - See all my reviews

This review is from: Head-On/Repossessed (Paperback)

I think I've always been a fan of Julian Cope. His first solo record came out when I was in college and was essential listening of the time. "Peggy Suicide" was the soundtrack for the summer of '91 (which I will always fondly remember as the best of my life).

I've followed him with a sort of detached attention which is natural with every musician with a low U.S. profile, but I've always been there.

So I picked this one up to take with me on some stupid business trip and read it in two really long nights. This is, without a doubt, the most compelling, happy, sad, sentimental (but not really), rock & roll memoir I have ever read. The sense of humble reportage and drug-clouded rememberance comes through with such clarity (!) and optimism makes this not only the story of the beginnings of a musical "mad" genius, but also a love story, an ill fated oddessey [sic], and, what could be, the makings of a great road novel.

The two memoirs read like a conversation with the coolest uncle ever and hold interest (even if the reader's formative years don't provoke similar memories).

This collection is a happy spring/summertime read and worth every second of effort. So much so that I have been pushing it off on everyone I went to school with. The musical journey here doesn't seem to take center stage to the personal development of the "Cope" and even if you weren't around at the birth of post-punk, this memoir still reverberates.

Heartstopping and beautiful. (No, I'm not biased. Nah. Not at all.)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Floored Genius Tells His Own Story, August 19, 2003

By 

Leigh Blackmore "Leigh" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Head-On/Repossessed (Paperback)

Julian Cope is many things to many people - misunderstood musical genius, maverick rock n roller, devotee of Britain's sacred standing stone sites, and more. I loved this two-volume autobiography in which his intelligence and drive shine through. OK, his heavy drug use - acid-tripping and general semi-loony rockstar behaviour also shines through - but this is a thoroughly entertaining account of (firstly) the Teardrop Explodes and early punk scene in Liverpool and (secondly) the later more mature Copey as he copes (pardon the pun!) with a lack of commercial success but remains true to his inner vision.
Essential for any fan of his wonderful ("marvy Harvey!") music and the book also contains some hilarious moments, not least the game "sock" which Copey and his fellow band members used to play on long drives across America - putting a sock over their heads, climbing out the van window and over the roof of a moving vehicle and back into the other window, the idea being not to fall off and die! Check it out!