In addition to being the author of three well-received books (2008’s ‘A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other: The Story of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon’ and ‘Touched By Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story,’ plus 2009’s ‘Grunge is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music’), writer Greg Prato also regularly contributes to several websites and magazines. His latest book, ‘No Schlock…Just Rock!’ (released through Lulu.com) collects most of Greg’s writing for the UK-based mags Classic Rock, Guitarist, Metal Hammer, and Record Collector, between a five-year span (2003-2008).
Separated into three sections according to genre – “Classic Rock,” “Heavy Metal,” and “Punk/Alt-Rock” – the 276-page book includes features that cover the entire histories of some of Greg’s favorite bands – Faith No More, Bad Brains, Soundgarden, the Meat Puppets, the Raspberries, and the no-holds-barred tale of G.G. Allin. Also included are articles/interviews on Rush, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Steely Dan, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Cheap Trick, the Ramones, and Queens of the Stone Age, among many other fascinating rock n’ rollers (even William Shatner!). You’ll also find the three articles that eventually led to Greg’s Melon, Bolin, and Grunge books.
‘No Schlock…Just Rock!’ is the next best thing to experiencing live rock n’ roll – minus getting fleeced for parking, unsanitary restrooms, and having some drunk nudnik screaming in your ear. Or as the author suggests in the book’s foreword, “Kick back, relax, adjust your iPod to the appropriate artist, read on, and most importantly…LONG LIVE ROCK N’ ROLL!!!”
For ordering info and to read samples from ‘No Schlock,’ please visit stores.lulu.com/gregprato or http://www.myspace.com/gregpratopage [and click the ‘No Schlock’ banner]