Going Deaf for a Living Book

There was a time in the mid-1990s when Radio One's Evening Session programme became required listening for anyone interested in the then-burgeoning British music scene. Providing valuable early support for emerging bands such as Oasis, a re-invented Blur and various briefly popular acts from Elastica to Menswear, the Session provided the soundtrack for what was a short but exciting period in Britain's recent cultural past. Central to the popularity of the programme were its enthusiastic and lively presenters Jo Whiley and Steve Lamacq. For the latter, presenting on Radio One represented a logical progression in a life which had always been marked by an obsession with the alternative music scene. It is the often-hilarious story of this life that forms the basis for Going Deaf for a Living.Anyone who has ever been asked by parents or concerned friends whether they really need to own so many records will soon warm to Lamacq's story, as he amiably tells of his journey from being a starstruck fan outside a 1980 Undertones gig, through phases as rock journalist for the NME, record company boss and nervous club DJ, before finally finding his home at The Evening Session. Along the way, Lamacq gets to give his viewpoint of such now-legendary events as the night the Manic Street Preachers Richey Edwards carved the words "4 Real" in his arm in response to a challenge to his group's artistic integrity, and the appearance of a noticeably refreshed and abusive pair of Gallaghers in the Radio One studios. In addition, cameos from such legends as Kurt Cobain, John Peel and, crucially, Chris Evans ("Nice Chap!"), keep Lamacq's tale lively, and often very amusing.While those hungry for revealing rock gossip may find their hopes curtailed by the author's prevailing niceness, the honesty of Lamacq's writing, and the constant amusing tangents on which he is led by his anecdotal pop obsessions, make this a thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended read. --Steve PriceRead More