Our Band Could Be Your Life

Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991

By: Michael Azerrad

Narrated by: Phil Elverum, Stephin Merritt, Jon Wurster, Corey Taylor, Merrill Garbus, Michael Azerrad, Colin Meloy, Fred Armisen, Laura Jane Grace, Dave Longstreth, Jeff Tweedy, Jonathan Franzen, Sharon Van Etten

The definitive chronicle of underground music in the 1980s tells the stories of Black Flag, Sonic Youth, The Replacements, and other seminal bands whose DIY revolution changed American music forever. Our Band Could Be Your Life is the never-before-told story of the musical revolution that happened right under the nose of the Reagan Eighties -- when a small but sprawling network of bands, labels, fanzines, radio stations, and other subversives re-energized American rock with punk's do-it-yourself credo and created music that was deeply personal, often brilliant, always challenging, and immensely influential. This sweeping chronicle of music, politics, drugs, fear, loathing, and faith is an indie rock classic in its own right. The bands profiled include:

• Sonic Youth, read by Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards)
• Black Flag, read by David Longstreth (Dirty Projectors)
• The Replacements, read by Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats)
• Minutemen, read by Jeff Tweedy (Wilco)
• Husker Du, read by Colin Meloy (the Decemberists)
• Minor Threat, read by Laura Jane Grace (Against Me)
• Mission of Burma, read by Jonathan Franzen (award-winning New York Times bestselling author)
• Butthole Surfers, read by Fred Armisen (comedian/actor)
• Big Black, read by Corey Taylor (Slipknot)
• Fugazi, read by Michael Azerrad (author)
• Mudhoney, read by Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie)
• Beat Happening, read by Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields)
• Dinosaur Jr., read by Sharon Van Etten (singer/songwriter)

Interesting, Well Researched Production

This book chronicled the csreers of several American punk bands. There were 13 bands and different musical artists narrated for each band. This kept the story interesting. I only have two complaints: the chapter on Fugazi was 10% too long and it ignored all women punk bands during the era. This could have easily rectified by including a chapter on Babes in Toyland. Otherwise, this was an excellent audiobook. The production was great and the narration was captivating.

Love this Book

Ok if you are into music,especially college radio, this is a great book.
If you grew up with punk post punk power pop from the late 70’s early 80’s this book will make you stop listening so you can catch up bye listening to the bands on a streaming service (or brake out your vinyl).
So much fun and inspirational for Just Grind it out for the love of it.
Thank you to all the folks that make this book possible.

Narrators

I actually haven't finished the book, yet.
While listening, I wanted to know who was narrating each chapter, but it doesn't tell you in the title details.
So, here is the list:
Black Flag- Dave Longstreth of Dirty Projectors
The Minutemen- Jeff Tweedy of Wilco
Mission of Burma- Jonathan Franzen (author)
Minor Threat- Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!
Hüsker Dü- Colin Meloy of The Decemberists
The Replacements- Jon Wurster of Superchunk & The Mountain Goats
Sonic Youth- Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards
Butthole Surfers- Fred Armisen (actor)
Big Black- Corey Taylor of Slipknot
Dinosaur Jr- Sharon Van Etton (singer)
Fugazi- Michael Azzerad
Mudhoney- Phil Elverum of Mount Eerie
Beat Happening- Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

Essential

This book blasted open a door I had only ducked my head through. The audiobook adds a layer of accessibility that makes it all that much more powerful. I can't to relisten. The chapters on The Butthole Surfers, Big Black, The Minutemen, and The Replacements are life-changing.

For those who love music. Period.

More of my friends were into punk, well, early punk, than I was. It’s a shame because seeing The Minutemen open for REM at Jacksonville’s Swisher Gymnasium should’ve been a bigger deal. Not being a fan of play fast, and frankly not being exposed to many ideas outside of white middle class, I gravitated towards more accessible mischief via whatever Rush, Iron Maiden, or the party life of some hair metal band. Sure there were moments of 7 Seconds and Minor Threat (thank you Tom) but I generally failed to enjoy the musical style which meant I missed the message.

The truth is that Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was my gateway back into the “punk” scene. Once there, I rediscovered Husker Du, The Replacements, and Fugazi, all groups MTV and local alternative radio had given me.

Apart from some bleeping of words during the Black Flag chapter, Azerrad’s book is a beautiful walk through a complicated ethos, that ends with questions similar to what feminism encountered in its many waves. The question of who is the subject and what is the medium is dutifully told as you hear the stories is those who adhere to the original ethics of non corporate, and those who wanted a career that needed corporate.

The greater appreciation of community, and the lamenting of that loss in the closing chapter, calls the listener to ask whether the DIY ethos that allows for everything to be done on a computer is a positive or a negative. Still, I can’t help but appreciate the virtue or vice (your call) of commercial success that allows for access to the music by those who would have never heard it otherwise. I’m not sure it’s Michaels job to answer that and thankfully he doesn’t try.

I walk away from this book grateful for the courage of early punk rock and even more excited to see Jawbox in two weeks (very happy they are mentioned in the book). You don’t have to love or even like punk rock to enjoy this book. Hell, you may find a band you hook into that you’d never considered (I’m looking at you Big Black).

As a child of the 80’s, I appreciate the reflections on what this genre meant to music and culture. I plan on using it for my work to teach philosophy in prisons.

In closing I’ll highlight the bestie of the book: the varying voices who chronicle these bands. It’s nice to have someone influenced by the music get a chance to tell the stories.