Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk

Rating:
Summary: This was satisfactory for a semi-mainstream attempt.
Review: Okay, I have to give it to you: it is HARD to document the history of punk, since punk is such a broad term these days. This book didn't really cover enough of the whole punk scene, it only concentrated on specific parts. If you want to learn about punk, you should concentrate on the politics and social aspects of it, not the purely musical element. Don't laugh... I think 1984 by George Orwell is a must-read for all punks. It is a perfect example of how the things we take for granted, like independent thought, can be taken away by an oppressive government. A government with too much power controls the past, and therefore controls the future. For more recommended punk reading, email me.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a book that shows the ulitmate brilliance of punk.
Review: I was a bit skeptical about reading this book, that it would be some no-brainer attempt at defining punk rock. I mean, how do you define punk rock? You can't...but "Please Kill Me" does a great job of showing the birth of punk and its growth. There's not as much vomit and nose-picking as you might think (leave that to the Sex Pistols), this book clearly displays the ultimate brilliance of the young musicians, artists, ruffians, etc. of punk. Their self expression is amazing and fearless. So many people today think that punk rock is just a bunch of noise that lazy, anti-social kids produce to annoy elders. Not so. This book gives great examples of how punk-founders such as Lou Reed, Iggy PoP, Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders, David Bowie (and so many others) crafted music that not only made a statement but sounded (and still sounds)unbelievable. The authors bring us first-hand to Warhol's Factory during the late '60's to Detroit with the MC5 and the Stooges, and back to New York clubs like Max's and the legendary CBGB's (omfug). The book's format is set up like that of a play, with each "character" describing what he or she saw first hand. The stories are unbelievable, wonderful, and gruesome. This book goes out on a limb to bring the real stories to light. Ever wonder if Sid really killed Nancy? You'll hear what really happened from the people who where actually there the night it happened. What was Lou Reed really like? Who was gay and who was straight in the world of punk rock? What were the attitudes like? Were all of the rockers pigs? McNeil and McCain do a great job of answering these questions, among several others. You get so close that you can almost smell the dope in Iggy's pocket. I'd definitely recommend reading this book, you won't be disappointed. The book leaves a lasting impression, and definitely gave me new insight on the whole scene. And for all of the "punks" of today that think this book may have been a chance for Legs to sell out....maybe you should read the book, then you'd know who was selling out. ;-)

Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Review: PLEASE KILL ME LETS YOU BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THE FACT THAT THE CHARACTERS THEMSELVES DID THE WRITING IN FORM OF INTERVIEWS IS EXCELLENT (I WONDER IF THEY REGRET IT NOW). THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS THERE, YOU DONT WANT TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN, AN EASY WEEKEND READ, AND REREAD ETC. MY ONLY WISH WAS FOR MORE...

Rating:
Summary: Better Than Most
Review: Please Kill Me was certainly an informative book. But is this what I really wanted to be informed about? Sure, there are miles of interviews with various pre-punk and punk bands, but what are the interviews about? Instead of interviews about the message of the music or the making of the music, we are lead on an overly detailed account of how your favorite punk star copped dope. Yes, we all realize that it was prevalent in punk and it killed Sid Vicious, but I still don't care. Worse yet are the unending accounts of young punk rock love. I may have been interested in what Patti Smith was thinking about when she wrote Horses, but I am sure I didn't care to know every man or woman she dated. Really, please Legs, tell me more about the transsexuals on welfare and their use of cheap cosmetics. Or, perhaps you could enlighten us with some more information on how cash poor the Stooges were. The idea of Please Kill Me had so much potential. It could have been a giant collection of primary source material on punk rock, but instead it became a tabloid-like telling of all the dull spots in the history of punk rock. And, where are the Modern Lovers?

Rating:
Summary: Great!!!
Review: I buyed this book in New Orleans, on a second hand book store, and what a magnificent testimony. The authors words are not in it, but the edition of the interviews is a lesson of master. If you want to know the real Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, New York Dolls, etc. You have to read it. (Sorry, my english is poor, bou I can read it). Jesús Quintero

Rating:
Summary: good
Review: For 3 years I have been collecting all the used punk records and reading tons of books (Psychotic Reaction, From The Velvets To The Voidoids et.c) and when Please Kill Me hit the stands I read from flap to flap in 2 days. Legs McNeil is the perfect man for the job of writing an oral book. With around 18 issues of his fanzine PUNK he has tons of interesting stories, quotes, and words to choose from. Outstanding job. Michael Cory

Rating:
Summary: A thorough look into the exclusive clique that invented punk
Review: I am usually quite skeptical when it comes to books pertaining to the history of rock. Normally, the subjects are fawned over and made out to be godlike figures. This book is made up of snippets of commentary from about three dozen folks who are almost exclusively responsible for the punk movement. Because it is not a product of an author that is giving you his opinions, but the product of many speakers, the reader is able to piece together and make up his own mind concerning his feelings towards the real life characters that are involved. Almost all the characters are rather pathetic people that probably deserve to be pitied. At the same time the whole thing is so damn romantic, that one can't help feeling jealous in wishing one was part of their early punk rock scene. The book is very thorough, and as one is reading it, the feeling as though these punks have become figures in one's own life comes over the reader, as their personalities and ways of speaking become more familiar. Upon completion of the book, one realises that punk rock is more than just aggressive music accompanied by torn clothes or funny hair. It was a way of life, and a very interesting one, at that. I give this book a strong recommendation, even if one is not a fan of the genre of punk rock. It shows that there was more to late sixties and seventies than just hippies, country rock, bell bottoms, and smiley faces. This is an example of a perfect chronicle for a group of people that were out of step with the world. If one is a fan of the genre, and thinks that there is nothing to learn by reading "Kill Me Again", a mistake would be made. There is virtually hundreds of facts and scenarios and accounts of events that I'm sure one wouldn't be able to find all one place like this. I also strongly recommend that while reading "Kill Me Again" one should provide themselves with a soundtrack to enhance the experience. Suggested: Iggy and the Stooges, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and The Velvet Underground.

Rating:
Summary: Intoxicating
Review: Legs and Gillian - You two ROCK! Yes. Please Kill Me not only made me revisit my Circus-magazine reading youth, but made me want to start taking drugs! (oh it's OK, I won't...) What great stories...I remember reading in CIRCUS mag all about Max's and Iggy and the Voidoids and the Dolls and others hangin out with 'nuthin' to do', and I thought, damn, this is IT! Little did I know they were just trying to score drugs and get laid....ah, life....Science Gone Too Far!

Rating:
Summary: Truth is not beauty, but it can be brilliant!
Review: I love the word "Oral", especially when it is attached to the word history. And finally an oral history of U.S "punk" has been recorded. Although "punk" may have meant many things in the past--it is forever linked to the street music of the mid to late seventies of especially NY. This book brings us up and down from the Velvet Underground, to the Dolls, through Patti Smith and the Ramones, through the Dead Boys, and beyond. Just read it--is all I have to say. From a man called DIRT PS we know our punk in NE Ohio--we produced the DEAD BOYS

Rating:
Summary: A great stay in bed all day until you finish it read!
Review: For those of us who lived through this time in New York City this book is a hilarious and touching steeplechase ride down memory lane. For those who only know the New York '70s scene through the music of Talking Heads, the New York Dolls, or Blondie, this is a wonderfully entertaining account of punk's antecedents and short, intense life. This is one of those rare books that you start on a Monday night and finish on Thursday, even if you're a slow reader like me