LET’S GO TO HELL REVIEWED
“Let’s Go To Hell” might as well be a college textbook about the history of The Butthole Surfers. Somewhere between the insane level of rare photographs and detailed music listings, I was floored. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such an academic look at an alternative band. A hefty portion of the book involves the band members trying to piece together their history. While that could be fun, author James Burns never drops the reins. This is a complete history in every sense of the word.
The focus on the book based on scattered memories is apt. It took me about three readings to make it through in a coherent fashion. I forgot what that was like when studying music involving bands without previous scholarly discussion. Burns is pioneering new ground here with exclusive interviews, analysis of the band’s complete recordings and an explanation of the end of the Punk Rock movement. What kills me is that so much of the material feels like there are six books being compressed into one.
Will there ever be a follow-up? Who knows? I’m just enjoying a rather intense book that I know I will reference in the future. It might be too much to ask Burns to tackle other bands of the era. But, I have to say that wouldn’t be the worst idea. There’s gold here and I want to see it keep getting mined.
BOOK STATS
- 495 pages
- Published by: Cheap Drugs
- Author: James Burns
- Price: $38.95