Book Review: "Not Dead and Not For Sale" By Scott Weiland

It was perfect timing that I bought and read this book in mid-August, as I had tickets to see Stone Temple Pilots play a show on the beach over Labor Day weekend. And they were still really good live!

Something I loved about his book was that Weiland would talk about a certain time in his life, and then talk about a few songs he'd written during that time, and explain what the lyrics were about. As I listened to the songs on my ipod while I read each chapter on the beach, I could make sense of what he was singing and it was a really cool literary-meets-musical experience. Sure, Weiland talked about his experiences getting loaded and doing smack, but he didn't focus on his drug problem. Rather than bragging, it came off like he was just being honest about the history of his music and life as a musician.

He did talk about his childhood, and it surprised me to learn that he grew up in a financially rather well-off family. One part that I found shocking about Weiland's life was a trip he took to Paris one winter. He talked about nearly being murdered and castrated in the Parisian countryside and only barely escaping with his nuts. Crazy.

My favorite part about Weiland's stories was learning what a sensitive, mellow guy he seems to be...not something I'd sensed much from his music, as it's often dark and semi-heavy. He's also really devoted to his family and only really wrote about one woman the whole novel. Quite a contrast from reading the Motley Crue autobiography right before this one. I do recommend Weiland's book if you want a glimpse into the vocals and dynamic of Stone Temple Pilots.

Book Review: "The Dirt" by Motley Crue

Length: 400-some pages
Genre: Band Autobiography

I love to read band and artist autobiographies and biographies. This one, written by all four members of Motley Crue, was riveting! I wasn't expecting this one to be so un-put-downable, but it really was. Obviously the language and literary sophistication left something to be desired, but other than that, I was so into this book! Between the bandmates' detailed stories of their respective childhoods, their meeting, their early days as a band, their mind-bogglingly numerous sexcapades and drug abuse over the years, and their highs and lows as a major touring rock band since the 80s, it was all a lot to take in and all quite shocking to read about. Most interesting, was the fact that it was told from EACH of the bandmates' perspectives, so you really get a real feel for their individual personalities and a full idea of where everyone's heads were at during certain times and events. Additionally, it was hard to keep track of all the girls/girlfriends they wrote about because there were so many!

Other than the shallow goings-on that one might expect in such an artist autobiography, Motley Crue also wrote about some really personal and difficult times that each of them went through apart from the band. From Nikki Sixx's rough childhood and Vince Neil's detailing his daughter's unfortunate health problems, to Mick Mars' health problems and Tommy Lee's jail stint--by the end of these chapters, I was somehow oozing compassion for these guys who had seemed like such pigs at various earlier points throughout the book. It made me see the members of Motley Crue as real people with feelings and sensitivity as musicians, even if their pursuits and music may be lacking in integrity.

Motley Crue knew what they stood for and what they didn't stand for, and they sensed early on that their stories would be valuable and a juicy dish for readers and fans someday. Their story is rare and there will never be another band quite like them--they are four extremely original personalities and artists. Also included in "The Dirt" are about 20 pages of full color glossy photos of the band from their respective childhoods, to their first promotional photos to their respective wedding days. The photos help to visually narrate the lengthy read. I highly recommend this delectably deviant read.