Backstage: How I Almost Got Rich Playing Drums in a Christian Hardcore Band by Aaron Lunsford

by Aaron Lunsford

How I almost got rich playing drums in a Christian Hardcore Band

Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Casey Arn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book from the drummers of one of my favorite bands. Gets into what its like to be in a touring band, a proposition that seems wildly romantic, but in reality is like anything else, a chore once it becomes a job. Aaron is brutally honest about his feelings about "fans" and "church kids" that could be read as brutal, but i read as honest, some kids, especially those in this scene are in fact really annoying. I've had the chance to interview Aaron, and his bandmates in the past and they are incredibly nice dudes and it's great to see this book come out with so many references to bands that I love.

[Jared Bercea · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book about a talented musician who is brutally honest who just happened to play in my favorite hardcore-who-went-awesome-indie band. highly recommended for anyone who enjoys humor, truth, music, and a real perspective on what life is like in a working band. keep writing, Aaron, and I'll keep reading.

[David Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love As Cities Burn. I’m a sucker for anything Christian hardcore, so this book has everything in a title and an author I’m looking for.
Music biography will always be my favourite thing to read and this is no exception.
Being able to see beyond the surface and reminisce on one of my favourite times in music history was great.
The golden era of tooth & nail records is truly a very special time.

I’m flogging myself for not reading this quicker, however life has its own rhythms and I’m seeing how balance is very important.

Getting a small note in the final chapter for the show that I hosted in the UK on a reunion tour in 2012 was a little Joy.

Here’s hoping they can make it back to Europe for another nostalgia trip 10 years later.

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fantastic glimpse into what the scene looked like in the early 2000’s. Regardless of whether you are a fan of As Cities Burn, Aaron Lunsford walk down memory lane is a fun read for anyone interested in what it takes to be successful as a musician.

[Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super easy to read. I would have finished it much faster if I were better at making myself actually sit down and read.

Overall this book was great. I enjoyed all but a few parts where Aaron seemed a bit too jaded. I appreciated the honesty for sure but parts just came across as bitter.

I love hearing tour stories and learning about bands I love. I'd love to have heard more about what went into the music but this isn't that type of book. It's a dude looking back on a few amazing years and telling it like it is. Nothing is perfect and he makes sure you know that.

A few editing issues that could be easily fixed for future prints of the book. Nothing major... A couple typos and some spacing issues.

If you're an ACB fan you will either love or hate this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes an inside look at band life. From trying to get signed to getting burnt out on the road... He covers it all. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is a close minded, easily offended, stereotypical Christian.

Thanks Aaron for a great book. Hopefully you finally get rich and keep writing!

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not start listening to As Cities Burn until last year - so with that said I have zero nostalgia or feelings towards the band. I was just looking for an interesting perspective and some thoughts. Not just a pissed off mid 30 year old trying to cash in off those he alienates.

I feel compelled to write a review because Aaron is so blunt with his views I will be with mine:

I read over 60 books in 2015 and this one is in my bottom 5 along with Maze Runner and some crappy Halo books.

I still have no idea what the book was trying to accomplish. Just a waste of my time.

Chapter 12 is the only thing worth reading.

I hope it's worth whatever few bucks he actually makes from me in trade of any respect as an author.

Again, I am not an author.. I am garbage at most things in life... But I am sure I would not exploit "experiences" in my life in a book. If you need money just ask for it.

[Jonathan Byrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

THINGS I ENJOY ABOUT THIS BOOK:
The behind the scenes look at a music genre I was interested in while it was big, the early 2000s. The stories from the road of interesting people, places, shenanigans.

THINGS I DO NOT ENJOY ABOUT THIS BOOK:
The overall tone of the book could be summed up as, "Yeah, I know I was in this popular band but it was mostly terrible." Aaron seems to absolutely despise his fans, there's a playful chapter poking fun at the church group kids, then a resentful chapter on how much he hates actual fans.

WHAT I HATE ABOUT THIS BOOK:
The author's constant misuse of the word 'retarded' and the added note that anyone offended by the misuse is only concerned about political correctness.

[Tyler Clarensau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. As an As Cities Burn fan, it was a really cool look into a band that was honestly quite perplexing. They were super talented, but it always seemed that there was so much more going on behind the scenes. This book confirmed that. I enjoyed reading about their interaction with other bands in the scene at that time (i.e. Emery, The Chariot), as well as looking back to a time when the music scene was very different than it is today. Lunsford is not the best writer in the world, but that adds to the charm. He's very entertaining, and the stories in this book are told very well.

[Bryan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, engaging read on life in ACB as told by the drummer. It's not the best written book ever but I thoroughly enjoyed the read and couldn't put it down. I finished it within a few hours of starting it.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. Takes me back to my show-going days.

[Andres Marin Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Every band he mentions, every moment of the Nail Golden era. I was listening, i was part of it. I was part of this freaking book!!!! I was there, for all of it. Awesome!!!

[Ben Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Aaron's writing style. Very nostalgic

[Jameson Ketchum]

a great read, i couldn't put it down. perfectly captures what its like to be on the road.