Clothes Music Boys
Back of the Book
In 1975, Viv Albertine was obsessed with music but it never occurred to her she could be in a band as she couldn't play an instrument and she'd never seen a girl play electric guitar. A year later, she was the guitarist in the hugely influential all-girl band the Slits, who fearlessly took on the male-dominated music scene and became part of a movement that changed music. A raw, thrilling story of life on the frontiers and a candid account of Viv's life post-punk - taking in a career in film, the pain of IVF, illness and divorce and the triumph of making music again—Clothes Music Boys is a remarkable memoir.
Why You Should Read It
Viv Albertine, beyond being a punk rock legend, is an astute chronicler. In her capable hands the London punk scene of the 70s comes alive in a way only having embodied memories tends to add to writing. The fluid viscera of being part of an all-girl punk band threatening the status quo of a scene that was reliant on the consistent challenging of its definitions and boundaries is the central focus of Albertine’s gutsy memoir. While readers get what they expect out of a memoir about the punk rock scene – the vivid recollections of riotous exhibitionism as a bildungsroman, akin to fellow punk rocker Patti Smith’s persistent reflections, Albertine makes a case for the punk scene as being truly a place of spiritual discovery and holds onto the experience as a cornerstone as she moves through life after punk rock. Surprisingly, with the same cadence and enthusiasm Albertine addresses cancer diagnosis, motherhood and the reformation of her band years later to complete charismatic recounting.
Memorable Passage
Language is important: it shapes minds, it can include, exclude, incite, hurt and destroy. If language isn’t powerful, why not call your teacher a cunt?
About the Author
Viv Albertine is a captivating figure in the world of music and literature, known for her multifaceted talents as a musician, songwriter, and author. As the guitarist for the iconic punk band The Slits, Albertine played a pivotal role in shaping the punk and post-punk music scenes during the late 1970s. Beyond her musical contributions, she has become a celebrated author, penning the critically acclaimed memoir Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys. In this candid and compelling work, Albertine offers readers a firsthand account of her life in the punk movement, navigating the challenges of gender norms, and her journey towards self-discovery. Her narrative is marked by unfiltered honesty, humor, and a poignant reflection on the evolution of both herself and the punk rock era. Viv Albertine is worth knowing not only for her influential role in music history but also for her articulate storytelling that resonates with authenticity, providing readers with a unique perspective on the transformative power of art and identity.
Recommended By
Sophia June