Tag: Dey Street Books

Book Review: Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir By Mark Hoppus with Dan Ozzi (Dey Street Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

The first thing my teenaged son said to me upon realizing I was reading the new memoir via Blink-182 bassist/vocalist/co-founder Mark Hoppus (with Dan Ozzi) was, “But, you’re not really a fan.” While it’s true I’m far from a die-hard when it comes to Blink’s brand of pop punk (though I’ll still take them over Green Day any day of the week), I’m still able to find value in nearly any music-related autobiography, especially ones that offer such fascinating insight.

Beginning with his upbringing in the Mojave Deseret that included a tumultuous divorce of his parents, it eventually leads up to the formation of Blink-182 shortly after his move to San Diego to attend college.

Each monumental moment, from meeting and writing with band co-founder Tom DeLonge, touring in a van in the early days, firing original drummer Scott Raynor (who I legitimately hope he mends ties with again someday) and eventually finding Travis Barker, rising to the highest heights only to have them stripped away on more than one occasion, and ultimately battling cancer, it’s all covered here.

As someone who also once played bass and gigged around in a van with a punk band (albeit on a much smaller scale), it’s as easy to find to find common ground with Hoppus as it is breezing through his memoir.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: The Lives of Brian By Brian Johnson (Dey Street Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

The very first concert that started it all for me was AC/DC – fronted by the unmistakable Brian Johnson – all the way back in 1996. Since then there’s been no turning back as rock n’ roll has become not only my strongest subject, but my savior, largely in part to Johnson and the rest of the guys in the band that night.

It’s always been fascinating for me to learn just how the musicians I listen to get to that stage in front of me. Johnson’s life story is not unlike many before him; humble upbringings, paying dues, and plenty of mistakes and hardships along the way. Everything, from his early days with Geordie (a band name I had only ever heard over the years, though never really took the time to look up until after reading the book), to his one and only encounter with his AC/DC predecessor Bon Scott, to his eventual joining the band in 1980 and finding worldwide success, is covered here.

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit too much information sometimes however, and at times I found myself wishing Johnson would simply get to the point a little faster. But to be honest, I’ve always been more of a fan of Johnson’s era of the band than Scott’s. As a whole, it’s the perfect source for those about to rock their reading material; if you’re already an established AC/DC fan, there’s no doubt this should be right up your alley, too.

Rating: 4/5 Stars