Our Band Could Be Your Life:  Scenes From the American Indie Underground 1981 -1991 by Michael Azerrad

Published in 2001, Michael Azerrad’s 3rd Rock book chronicles the early histories of 13 original American Indie rock/Hardcore bands.  Including the following:

Azerrad deftly puts together each of the bands histories, explaining their background, how they laid the ground work for today’s network of independent labels and venues, and explained how they influenced the world around them.   He makes careful note to qualify his decisions to cover only certain bands and out of those band to focus on their independent releases.  For example, he limits his coverage of The Replacements (one of my favorite bands) up to just after the release of Pleased To Meet Me.  One obvious omission from the book is R.E.M., having come into existence around the time the book is covering and being on independent label IRS.  Azerrad explains that he purposely did not include R.E.M. since they were one of the first Indie groups to sign to a major label and become hugely popular.  The title of the book is taken from a song by the Minutemen.

Check out some of my favorite tracks from the bands below.

Click the link above and you will be taken to the playlist hosted on this website.  Click once on the first song and the playlist will start.

1 ) “Disappear” by Blake Babies (2:48)
2 ) “Loro” by Pinback (3:33)
3 ) “20 Years” by Idaho (3:41)
4 ) “Failure” by Kings Of Convenience (3:32)
5 ) “In The Drugs” by Low (4:25)
6 ) “Second Story” by Hang Ups (5:42)
7 ) “Ray Ray Rain” by Bettie Serveert (4:22)
8 ) “Homework for Sale” by Chitlin’ Fooks (3:27)
9 ) “Still Waiting” by Four Storeys (4:07)
10 ) “When Mute Tongues Can Speak” by Posies (3:31)
11 ) “Down” by Sarah Shannon (1:54)
12 ) “To Accompany” by Centro-matic (3:49)
13 ) “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” by Neil Young (2:57)
14 ) “Lowdown” by My Morning Jacket (3:53)
15 ) “I Will Dare” by Replacements (3:18)
16 ) “Laughter” by Josh Rouse (4:43)
17 ) “Gravity Decides” by Folk Implosion (3:33)
18 ) “The Best Thing For Me” by Julie Doiron & The Wooden Stars (4:16)
19 ) “Run” by Silver Scooter (4:31)

This playlist was originally put together as a mix CD in 2003 which I have now resurrected in digital format.  Enjoy.