Description

Bandalism [ban-dəl-i-zəm] n .: the willful or malicious destruction of, or damage to, the fabric of a rock/pop/indie group brought about by one or more of its members

Axl Rose's monumental meltdowns . . . Kurt Cobain's tragic band-slaying suicide: The long history of platinum-selling überband implosions is more dramatic than a Russian novel. But even local cover bands can suffer the ill effects of the limelight.

Multi-rock-band veteran Julian Ridgway's Bandalism is a can't-miss guide to rock 'n' roll survival, offering sage advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that can doom your group. Here's how to:

• Find nonpsycho band members
• Craft the perfect band image
• Choose a name that doesn't suck

And much more, including the handy Healthy Band Checklist, an ideal MySpace profile generator, and the Second Album Venn Diagram.

About the Author

Julian Ridgway is an Oxford graduate and a veteran of at least a dozen bands who researches rock photographs and writes for a host of magazines. Born in Leicester, England, he now lives in London.

Praise For…

“Fun, funny and useful.” — The Guardian (UK)

“The life of a band is hardly easy, which is why Julian Ridgway should be awarded a medal for showing us that there is actually a way to survive ourselves. So, before you hire the dude from the Metallica movie, do yourself a favor: Read this book.” — Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley, author of Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture

“History — and Spinal Tap — shows us that joining a rock’n’roll band is a terrible idea. Bandalism lays bare the long, bleak lows and brief, glorious highs of rock’n’roll life with wit and verve.” — Will Hodgkinson, author of SONG MAN and GUITAR MAN

“How many musical icons’ bands have been plagued by ‘communication issues’? Avoid your band doing the same by reading Ridgway’s witty book.” — The List (UK)