Mainlines, Blood Feasts and Bad Taste [Paperback]

Lester Bangs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2003

This companion to "Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung" compiles fifty-four of Bangs' pieces, including several that are previously unpublished. Lester Bangs was for many the most intelligent and influential critic of rock and roll. Twenty years after his death, interest in him continues, as shown by the recent critically acclaimed biography "Let it Blurt", and his work still resonates with breathtaking insight and audacity. This marvellous book, edited by John Morthland, Lester Bangs' friend, literary executor, and fellow rock critic, contains exerpts from an autobiographical work Bangs wrote as a teenager, as well as cultural rants and obsessive rages, and incisive reviews from throughout his career - from Black Sabbath as a Christian band, to Anne Murray as sex object, to Bob Dylan as a fraud, and, of course, the Stones, Lester Bangs' favourite band and bete noir. Endlessly entertaining, this book is a must for anyone with any interest in the history of rock and roll.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"From the introduction to Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung: 'What this book demands from a reader is a willingness to accept that the best writer in America could write almost nothing but record reviews' Greil Marcus 'He's fat and he's got a moustache. I wouldn't shit in Lester's nose' Lou Reed

About the Author

Lester Bangs started out as a record reviewer for Rolling Stone, went on to write for and then edit the magazine Creem, before moving to New York and covering the burgeoning punk scene, writing in daily newspapers and the Village Voice. Bangs died suddenly at the age of 33 in 1982. A biography of Lester Bangs, Let it Blurt was published in 2001.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Serpents Tail (September 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852428236
• ISBN-13: 978-1852428235
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,992,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Bangs Magic, May 29, 2006

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mainlines, Blood Feasts and Bad Taste (Paperback)

The rock writer John Morthland compiled this companion volume to the brilliant Psychotic Reactions And Carburettor Dung, the first collection of the writings of Lester Bangs, rock `n roll's most influential critic and the one who defined the genre of rock criticism.

The book is divided into the following sections: DRUG PUNK, including previously unpublished writings on Andy Warhol and autobiographical ruminations on Bangs' adolescence; HYPES & HEROICS that includes pieces on the MC5, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, Patti Smith's album Horses, Wire and Jello Biafra.

PANTHEON contains pieces on The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Captain Beefheart, Nico's Marble Index album, Brian Eno, Jim Morrison and Lester's famous review of Lou Reed's notorious Metal Machine Music album. TRAVELOGUES includes impressions of his trips to Paris, Jamaica, Austin and California.

The last chapter is titled RAVING, RAGING AND REBOPS and contains writings on the roots of punk, The Mekons (Bad Taste Is Timeless) and an excerpt from the previously unpublished All My Friends Are Hermits from 1980.

The adrenalin charged writing of the legendary Lester Bangs has lost none of its appeal. He wrote with an enthusiasm that transcends the decades. This book is essential for devoted rock fans. I also recommend Let It Blurt: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs by Jim Derogatis.