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⭐
Just finished this book. There were times I wanted to stop reading because it was so sad to see how much suffering, sadness, and disappointment went into making some of my favorite music ever. But there was also a lot of love and magic. The context it adds around Chris, Jody, Alex, Andy and all that orbited the band is unparalleled. It felt like sitting around and being told first-hand stories directly to you from those that lived it, for over 400+ pages, imperfections and all.
@will
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i was up late working on a history assignment as a sophomore in high school when i first heard this record. my aunt gave me her deceased husband’s original copy as a gift. i put it on the shitty crosley turntable on the floor and was totally sucked in. i think about this record nearly every day.
“i could write a book and this book would be thick enough to stun an ox.”
“i could write a book and this book would be thick enough to stun an ox.”
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🎸🔥 Back in the day, touring with Mega City Four wasn’t just about the shows — it was about finding your people.
The bands I was in, documented in raw details in Three and a Half Minutes of Fame, shared their DIY spirit, their relentless drive, and their refusal to sell out. We watched them, learned from them, and dreamed of being even half as good.
That sense of belonging, that fire — it’s what kept us going through van breakdowns, late-night gigs, and all the chaos that came with trying to make it on our own terms.
Three and a Half Minutes of Fame captures all that — the sweat, the noise, the friendships, and the endless push to live up to a scene that was bigger than all of us.
If Mega City Four shaped your soundtrack, this book will take you back to those raw, unforgettable years.
The bands I was in, documented in raw details in Three and a Half Minutes of Fame, shared their DIY spirit, their relentless drive, and their refusal to sell out. We watched them, learned from them, and dreamed of being even half as good.
That sense of belonging, that fire — it’s what kept us going through van breakdowns, late-night gigs, and all the chaos that came with trying to make it on our own terms.
Three and a Half Minutes of Fame captures all that — the sweat, the noise, the friendships, and the endless push to live up to a scene that was bigger than all of us.
If Mega City Four shaped your soundtrack, this book will take you back to those raw, unforgettable years.
Jul 11, 2025
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Hard to believe it's nearly twenty years old now.
Three things stand out for me, reading it again today. Took like 3 months of reporting, or so, to get it all done.
1) The Courtney Love vignette from the Shins' show at the Hollywood Bowl (it was all very Ab Fab and unintentionally hilarious). She is every bit the piece of work she was described to be.
2) James was living in a house in Portland, OR that Elliott Smith used to live in. We smoked pot in the basement and he showed me the washer/dryer that was basically where Elliott four-tracked the "Roman Candle" album.
3) He had a guitar hanging in his home studio that had "You'll be Dead" spray painted on it -- a line from Star Wars (I think his brother, an artist I worked with at Starbucks, did that). I used to have a photo of that but IDK what happened to it.
It was a fun era to be writing about rock music.
Apr 5, 2024
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😃School made us think reading is a holy act. It is not. Its just something to do. Like watching a movie or sports. You aren’t going to be tested by anyone. Read high. Read drunk. Read 2 pages. Read half awake. Remember nothing or just some of it. It really doesn’t matter
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⭐I feel like growing up every band or musician besides super huge pop stars was just normal looking. Not weird in a cool way and not perfectly curated. Just actually weird or actually normal. I miss that. Everyone is too hot now. To quote Silver Jews,
"What's with all the handsome grandsons In these rock band magazines? What have they done with the fat ones? The bald and the goateed?"
We need more normals in music.
"What's with all the handsome grandsons In these rock band magazines? What have they done with the fat ones? The bald and the goateed?"
We need more normals in music.