Sex and Drugs and Greasy Joe’s is Daniel Butler’s first foray into the world of publishing. With this musical biography he charts the life of a bunch of four musicians growing up in the 70’s and 80’s and coming together as a band in the early 90’s. Although they started off as a local band for local people, their talent started to take them far and wide, but how far and how wide could they go?
Butler’s writing style brings a vibrancy and intelligence to an often told story, many bands have come and many more will pass on into musical history and or obscurity, whether that is globally or locally. However Dan delivers his story with compassion and unerring passion, along with a modicum of ego, but that is the natural trait for a musician, you may be shy and retiring when practising in your bedroom, but once that stage is lit, that PA turned up and those instruments tuned in, then all hell can be unleashed with a tight audio cacophony.
Sex and Drugs and Greasy Joe’s is a story, it’s a chronology, it’s a journey. There are highs, quite literally in places, along with the inevitable lows. Each one of the chapters is handled with care and a superb attention to detail, without being clinical, overly melodramatic or too romantic. Butler reflects on his past with a fondness and true affection for the period, but the rose tinted glasses are off and the spectacles of honesty are on, as we get to see what goes on in the mind of the arty, grungy types who entertained us back in the day, show-casing their talents for our entertainment.
If you were there, then this book is for you, to reminisce, to relive and to enjoy.
If you weren’t there, then this book is still for you! Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
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