July 16, 2008
| A story in Thirteen parts
1. A few weeks ago, I posted about this website I’d found that listed fake bands. Seemed to me that ShapeShifter should be on there, but the site hadn’t been updated in almost a year. That goddess Winter went and contacted the dude, who said he’s still collecting band names (but it helps if he’s heard of them) but isn’t planning an update anytime soon. Well. 2. Many of you suggested that I make my own list of fake bands. Trevor won’t let me do that, though. Most of you guys know him. He may be fictional, but he’s an original, and he demands that the people around him be brave enough to be original, too. 3. I’d already been playing with this idea beforehand, so I went and made the time and … check it out. A list of Rock and Roll fiction. Yeah, you know. Not just bands, but books about bands. 4. I began by making a list of what’s on my shelves. Then I added in titles I’d run into in other places online. That added up to a long list. 5. As I kept looking around, I found more. You know how it is when you’re looking for a purple car. Suddenly, most of the cars on the road are purple. 6. You may have heard of some of these books, like Reservation Blues, by Sherman Alexie. Or Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments. 7. Maybe you’ve only heard of some of the authors, like Jay McInerney, who wrote Bright Lights, Big City. 8. The best-known might be Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity. 9. Lots of these books were written by people with music industry experience (like me). Check out my favorites, Don Bruns and David Hiltbrand. 10. Nope, I haven’t read all of them yet. Yes, I intend to! And no, I won’t tell which I’ve read and which I haven’t. (Well, okay, except for the above two. Sort of.) Some have been talked about on this blog, but you’ll have to go find them… 11. That means you should read them, too, and form your OWN opinion. I hear lots of complaints about cliches — do you see any? If so, where? (seriously. I want to know.) 12. If you know of any titles I’m missing, you know how to contact me. I’d like this list to be as complete as humanly possible. 13. All the buy links on my blog and website go to Powells. There are lots of reasons for this, but the least is that I get a cut if you buy anything. My plan with that piece of the action is to return it to you via giveaways. I’d love to start doing that, you know… |
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Wylie Kinson
July 16, 2008 8:14 pm
I love the idea, SHG! It’ll be a lot of work, but the rewards will be big, I can feel it :)BR/BR/Jay McInerny is also a wine afficienado (sp?). I have one of his books on that particular topic, and saw the movie version of BLBC. BR/BR/Loved High Fidelity by Hornby. And though I enjoyed the movie starring John Cusack, I must say, I liked the British setting of the book much more than the American setting of the movie.
Nicole Austin
July 16, 2008 8:29 pm
Wow, sounds like a major undertaking. Great idea though. Have fun with it!
Moondancer
July 16, 2008 9:06 pm
I don’t know any in print, but I have a fictional band in my WIP series called Cryptic Voodoo if that helps at all.
Alice Audrey
July 16, 2008 9:15 pm
So far as I’m concerned, posting your stuff is gift enough.
Thomma Lyn
July 16, 2008 9:43 pm
Wowie, what a cool idea! You’ll have a blast with this, I’m sure. :)BR/BR/I’ve read Sherman Alexie’s IReservation Blues/I and enjoyed the heck out of it. Gonna check out the others on your list!
shaunesay
July 16, 2008 9:48 pm
I did see the movie for Bright Lights Big City…BR/BR/Here’s one I want to read but haven’t gotten to yet:BR/http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/nancy-springer/metal-angel.htmBR/BR/and I actually did enjoy Jackie Collins Rockstar: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/jackie-collins/rock-star.htmBR/BR/and don’t forget that Anne Rice’s Lestat decided that being a rockstar was the thing to do, and it was the music that brought him back from underground!BR/BR/http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/anne-rice/vampire-lestat.htmBR/BR/These may not be the kind you’re after, but I sure enjoyed them all… and my own fan fiction, that won’t ever see the light of day is usually about rock bands that I enjoy. So it’s a genre I like!
SandyCarlson
July 16, 2008 10:03 pm
Thanks for reminding me of No. 6. I loved that movie. Great post, Susan.
pussreboots
July 16, 2008 10:21 pm
There’s a Manga series called Nana that has a rock band in it.
Lisa
July 16, 2008 10:32 pm
You knows amazing? As I think about it, I have never read any books with fictional bands. Guess I need to get a move on, since I am obviously behind.BR/BR/Happy TT!
storyteller
July 16, 2008 10:44 pm
I loved RESERVATION BLUES, but I’ve not read the others. BR/Hugs and blessings,
Adelle
July 16, 2008 10:54 pm
Does your mind ever stop for a rest? lol Sounds like you have your work cut out for you, Have fun! Happy T13!
Lori
July 16, 2008 11:59 pm
Well, forget what Trevor wants…what do YOU want? It sounds like you’ve been busy:) Happy TT my friend.
Carol
July 17, 2008 12:06 am
So, is the list started? ‘Cause you know I’m going to read stuff on that list. I mean, you KNOW I will, right?BR/BR/Still haven’t thought of any, but will let you know if I do.
Pamela Kramer
July 17, 2008 12:23 am
Go for it! Happy TT.
gabriellahewitt
July 17, 2008 2:35 am
It’s been a while but great to be visiting again. What a really cool idea for a TT. Also agree that High Fidelity is definitely worth picking up.BR/BR/Thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy TT!!
Shelley Munro
July 17, 2008 3:43 am
Great idea, although it sounds like a ton of work. I’m sure you’ll have fun. 🙂
Robin
July 17, 2008 4:52 am
Great plan!
Toni
July 17, 2008 7:37 am
Happy TT. I have read none of those books. Thanks to the little guy I haven’t read much of anything. Good luck with your list.
Tempest Knight
July 17, 2008 8:02 am
I’ve only read one, “No One Here Gets Out Alive” about the life of Jim Morrison.
Susan Helene Gottfried
July 17, 2008 8:03 am
That wasn’t fiction, was it?
Julia Smith
July 17, 2008 9:44 am
The whole rock-sub-genre thing is obviously bigger than one might imagine. But that’s not that strange, considering that rock is such a popular medium.
Starrlight
July 17, 2008 9:59 am
Ahhh Powell’s Books. Cranky staff, great coffee and the wonderful smell of books. I spend HOURS there. As in I plan on 2-3 each trip. Now then, The Commitments is an awesome book, better movie and a killer soundtrack. That redheaded Irish dude just KICKS ASS on Try A Little Tenderness. BR/BR/And I own everything Hornsby owns so of course I own High Fidelity. Cause it has Cusack! And I own BLBC as well. Good list!
LA Day
July 17, 2008 10:32 am
Great idea! Sounds like a lot of work though.
Denise Patrick
July 17, 2008 11:22 am
Great idea!! I have actually heard of Jay McInerney, but haven’t read any of his books.BR/BR/Happy TT!
On a Limb with Claudia
July 17, 2008 12:02 pm
Why not make your own list at Amazon or Great Reads? One way to attract attention would be to become the expert in fictional bands. I say go for it!
Celticlibrarian
July 17, 2008 4:52 pm
What about “Born to Rock” by Gordon Korman? If I think about this for a while I’m sure that I can come up with some more. Hmmmm.BR/BR/Yay for lists!BR/BR/Oh, and Powell’s is a fabulous store…
Cora Zane
July 17, 2008 8:39 pm
ooh, very cool idea… the only book I can think of that had an imaginary band in it was Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite. There were two bands in it, I think, actually. Only one was defunct and the other was lead by vampire twins. Hm…I think I may need to reread that one.
Ann
July 17, 2008 10:21 pm
Hey! Cool TT, love the list. I’ll keep my eye out for more, and pass them along to you. No TT this week, spent last night and this morning devouring (inhaling) a great book by PBW.
spyscribbler
July 18, 2008 1:49 am
I think it’s a FANTASTIC idea, Susan! I’ve never read any rock and roll fiction besides Trevor and the gang, but they say that online success is all about niche positioning. BR/BR/Trevor needs a throne, methinks.
Trevor Wolff
July 18, 2008 8:12 am
Yes, yes I do.
Starrlight
July 18, 2008 9:46 am
OMG I can not believe I didn’t think of Lost Souls! Steve and Ghost do sing. Oh and of course Lestat goes the rock star route as well. I am gonna get booted from the Goth club for forgetting those 😛
Joy Renee
July 19, 2008 7:49 am
Reservation Blues is the only one on the list I’ve come close to reading. I had it checked out of the library once. I read other stuff by him.BR/BR/Here is one I read that might qualify and isn’t on the list: Oh My Stars! by Lorna Landvik. it is set during the depression when rock was the bleeding edge of music at the bar and night club scenes and maybe wasn’t quite called that yet.