Cost: $4.00US
Page Count: 304
Unlike many rock biographies, 101 Proof isn't a redemption story. It's really just a story. The tale of one man and his bandmates as they climbed from relative obscurity of the club scene of Dallas, Texas to the untold many millions of records sold.
Which leads me to my problem with 101 Proof. Rex Brown is hiding a lot. Maybe it's out of respect for the fallen Dimebag Darrell (RIP) or maybe it's just because Rex seems like a private dude…I don't know why but it seems like Rex is keeping a lot of information back from his fans. I respect that but I expected some dirt. Oh well. A little disappointing but not really surprising.
Can't you see? I'm easily bothered by persistence
One step from lashing out at you
You want in to get under my skin and call yourself a friend
I've got more friends like you, what do I do?
Walk - Pantera
It is under my estimation that Walk, by Pantera, is one of the top five metal songs ever written. It's a classic. So, during my weekly sojourn at the local used book shop I stumbled across the book written by Pantera bassist, Rex Brown. I had to have this book. Of course, I don't ever pay full price…so I had to wait until it hit the used shelves. Bought it, I did.
Unlike many rock biographies, 101 Proof isn't a redemption story. It's really just a story. The tale of one man and his bandmates as they climbed from relative obscurity of the club scene of Dallas, Texas to the untold many millions of records sold.
The story of Pantera has been told and retold hundreds of times. So, if you want the Pantera backstory hit Wikipedia or the many myriad of Pantera fan sites scattered across the inter webs.
101 Proof was fairly well-written. Rex and his co-author did a nice job of piecing together (cobbling together from drunken memories, I assume) the book. Where some of the books of this ilk are a little roughshod (Zakk Wylde, I'm looking at you and your "book") this one had a good flow and the reader could definitely tell that Rex was withholding a lot of detail.
Which leads me to my problem with 101 Proof. Rex Brown is hiding a lot. Maybe it's out of respect for the fallen Dimebag Darrell (RIP) or maybe it's just because Rex seems like a private dude…I don't know why but it seems like Rex is keeping a lot of information back from his fans. I respect that but I expected some dirt. Oh well. A little disappointing but not really surprising.
Being the empath that I am, I can see how writing this book would have been both cathartic AND agonizing for Rex. So, much respect for even giving it a go.
101 Proof takes you from the dirty? Dallas club scene where Pantera cut their teeth to the many debaucheries of life on the road with the band. I can imagine that the times on the road were 100x more insane than Rex lets on. Rumor has it that these guys partied just as hard as they hit it on stage. I just wanted some of these stories from an insider.
Pantera was a great metal band. One of the best. Rex Brown was a large part of that and is a fantastic player in his own right. He was in the band with some HUGE personalities so a lot his dynamic can get overshadowed. But, Rex can play. Just listen.
101 Proof is a good read. It is essential for Pantera fans. But, if you are expecting story after drunken story about life on the road with the band…and there are some of those…you may be a little let down. A little.
No comments:
Post a Comment