Live Through This: American Rock Music in the Nineties

Live Through This chronicles the American rock music scene of the 1990s through the perspective of music journalist Everett True. The book focuses heavily on the grunge movement and alternative rock that emerged from Seattle and other regional scenes. True draws from his firsthand experiences as a witness to pivotal moments in 90s rock, including his close connections to bands like Nirvana and his role at Melody Maker magazine. The narrative tracks the evolution of the music from underground beginnings through mainstream success and cultural impact. The book features interviews, personal observations, and behind-the-scenes accounts of key artists, record labels, and music industry figures of the era. True's status as both journalist and scene participant allows for an insider's view of the period's musical developments and social dynamics. This account examines themes of authenticity, commercialization, and the tension between underground credibility and mainstream success that defined American alternative rock in the 1990s. The book serves as both historical documentation and cultural analysis of a transformative period in popular music.

Readers note True's firsthand experiences and personal relationships with 90s musicians give the book authenticity, but some find his writing self-indulgent. His coverage of lesser-known acts and the Pacific Northwest scene draws praise for going beyond typical grunge narratives. Likes: - Detailed accounts of concerts and backstage moments - Focus on female artists and riot grrrl movement - Strong perspectives on Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain Dislikes: - Dismissive tone toward certain bands and scenes - Rambling, non-chronological structure - Too much author insertion into the narrative Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (402 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (22 reviews) Multiple reviews criticize True's "smug" writing style and tendency to name-drop. As one Goodreads reviewer notes: "Fascinating insider perspective but the author seems more interested in proving his scene credentials than telling the story." Amazon reviewers frequently mention the book works better as a collection of essays than a cohesive history.

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🎸 Author Everett True is credited with introducing Kurt Cobain to Courtney Love at a Butthole Surfers concert in 1991 📝 True was one of the few journalists allowed into Kurt Cobain's home during Nirvana's peak years, leading to uniquely intimate coverage of the band 🎼 The book's title references Hole's breakthrough 1994 album "Live Through This," which was released just days after Kurt Cobain's death 🎤 The author wrote for Melody Maker magazine during the grunge era under the pen name "The Legend," and was known for occasionally performing on stage with the bands he covered 🏆 The book challenges the conventional narrative that Nirvana was solely responsible for bringing alternative rock to the mainstream, highlighting the contributions of many other bands from the era