Random Things Tours - Nothin' But a Good Time

TITLE: Nothin' But a Good Time
AUTHOR: Justin Quirk
PUBLISHER: Unbound
PUBLISHING DATE: September 3, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

From 1983 until 1991, Glam Metal was the sound of American culture. Big hair, massive amplifiers, drugs, alcohol, piles of money and life-threatening pyrotechnics. This was the world stalked by Bon Jovi, Kiss, W.A.S.P., Skid Row, Dokken, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Ratt and many more. Armed with hairspray, spandex and strangely shaped guitars, they marked the last great era of supersize bands. 

Where did Glam Metal come from? How did it spread? What killed it off? And why does nobody admit to having been a Glam Metaller anymore?

MY THOUGHTS:  So here may be something you don't know.  Although I am a die-hard Prince fan and he will forever be my favorite artist, because I was a teen in the 80's, I spent a lot of time listening to and perfecting my glad rock collection.  It was the era of attending concerts alone for the first time and I can say I saw some of the greats - Aerosmith, Van Halen, White Lion, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Ratt, Cinderella, Bon Jovi (3X) and Poison (5x) to name some of the more notable ones.  You might say I had a thing for Bret Michaels but don't tell anyone.  So I was excited to read Quirk's novel.  And I'll be honest, while it didn't disappoint, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Quick had certainly did his research and I think I went into this book hoping to learn some juicy tidbits about some of my favorite glam bands.  And while there might have been a few, Quirk looks more at how Glam Rock became a thing.  It was interesting but at times, my interest did wane.  However, the author's passion did shine through and if you are a fan of the era and want to know more backstory, then this is definitely a book you want to add to your collection. I honestly think this would be a good physical copy to have in a collection so you could peruse it from time to time and pick out the parts that are most interesting to you.  I read an ebook copy and wish I had a physical one instead. 


RATING: 3 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Justin Quirk is a writer and editor based in London. Since starting his career at the Guardian, he has written for titles including i-D, Dazed and Confused, Kerrang!, Q, Word, the Independent, The Sunday Times, Arena and Esquire. He has also worked as a curator, DJ and creative director and regularly appears on the BBC World Service discussing culture and current affairs. He lives in London.