7. A&R, Bill Flanagan (2001)
Journalist, sometimes correspondent for CBS Sunday morning and confidant of U2 (see U2: At the End of the World), Bill’s first novel is a look inside the world of A&R—artists and repertoire—the people once charged with finding and developing The Next Big Thing for their label masters. A&R departments have been decimated since the turn of the century, but there was a time when being a talent scout for a major label was a pretty cool (if not stressful and often highly unhealthy gig.) A great look at the goings-on inside the major label system in America at the end of the 90s.
8. Powder, KevIn Sampson (2002)
I can’t remember where I found this book, but I have a feeling it was a bookstore in Notting Hill. Powder tells the story of a Liverpool band called Powder who works their way up through the squirrelly UK indie scene. Despite it being predictable and formulatic in spots, I found the whole thing to be a decen ride.
9. Kill Your Friends, John Niven (2008)
What if you took the premise of Flanagan’s A&R, set it in the UK during the Britpop era and then crossed the whole thing with American Psycho? Most people who pick up this book finish it in one sitting. It’s that good.
10. Evening’s Empire, Bill Flanagan (2010)
Just released and reviewed, Flanagan’s second novel follows the Ravons, a band whose career begins in the 60s and never quite dies out until, well, someone dies. It’s fun to follow the timeline that extends over four decades. Any guesses about which band(s) inspired this story? Check out this NYT review.
If you still need more rock-related reading, check out this helpful list put together by Book Slut.
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