A Dysfunctional Success: The Wreckless Eric Manual

by Eric Goulden

A Dysfunctional Success traces the author's life from birth, growing up with an increasing inability to relate to society, through fame and severe lack of fortune on the Stiff Records label, to the collapse of his career in the wake of a serious drinking problem and his subsequent recovery.

Genres: Music, Biography

283 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wreckless Eric is one of the great pop writers of the punk "Stiff Records" era. Why he doesn't get the same attention as his one-time fellow label mate Elvis Costello is beyond me. In my opinion he's a better writer than Costello - but nevertheless we do have Wreckless Eric's memoir and it's a fantastic read.

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth a read. Who said "Can anything good come out of Newhaven?"!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eric had a great song for a one-hit wonder. The song is “Whole Wide World” which many of us didn't even hear until the last few years. It was covered by a good number of groups, including a fine version by cage the Elephant. His other songs don't quite resonate in the same way. But he has some good stories to tell in this reasonably short book.

At Stiff Records he met, sometimes played with, and toured with Ian Dury and the Blockheads, when the Wreckless Eric band signed on to the “Live Stiffs Tour" with Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Nick Lowe, and Larry Wallis.

One of the best stories is his take on when Ian Drury played drums with him. He said that Ian couldn't play the drums and sing at the same time. But he would often hear him say “Hit me with your rhythm stick. Hit me. Hit me. Hit me.” And said he was surprised when it turned up in Ian’s hit song.

His book is not a must read. But it adds a bit of background to his story. And he details his earliest influences. That will jar the memories of older readers and remind younger ones of the classic rock they liked years after the songs were first released.

[Mark Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and enjoyable all the way through. A unique and compellingly literary voice to go with his unique and compelling singing voice and unique and compelling songwriting talent.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hugely entertaining read. Only missing the fifth star due to it ending abruptly in the mid 80's.

[Uri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rags to riches and riches to rags punk-rock story with a great sense of humor

[Brad Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book i've ever read. Maybe because i love wreckless eric and adore his len bright combo so much!

[Avis Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one since I'm a fan of the author's music, but couldn't. Unfortunately, it has all the flaws authors' first books usually possess.

[Ian Fiddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10. Not a great fan of his music but this is one of the best rock autobiographies. Great story near to the start when he was a kid and found an old violin.

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joy! A total, absolute reckless joy! Like your punk? Like your DIY ethic? Then you'll like Eric's autobiography. A joy!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

my, my, what a boy gets up to.