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Running with Monsters
Celebrity Rehab star and Thelonious Monster frontman Bob Forrest's memoir about his drug-fueled life in the L.A. indie rock scene of the '80s and '90s and his life-changing decision to become a drug counselor who specializes in reaching the unreachable.
Life has been one strange trip for Bob Forrest. He started out as a suburban teenage drunkard from the Southern California suburbs and went on to become a member of a hip Hollywood crowd that included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Depp, and River Phoenix. Los Angeles was their playground, and they hung out in such infamous haunts as the Viper Room and the Whisky a Go Go.
Always one to push things to their limit, Bob partied the hardest and could usually be found at the center of the drama. Drugs weren’t Bob’s only passion. He was also a talented musician who commanded the stage as the wild and unpredictable lead singer of Thelonious Monster. They traveled the world, and their future seemed bright and wide open. But Bob’s demons grew stronger as he achieved more success and he sank deeper into his chemical dependency, which included alcohol, crack, and heroin habits. No matter how many times he went to rehab, sobriety just wouldn’t stick for him. Soon he saw his once-promising music career slip away entirely.
Eventually Bob found a way to defeat his addiction, and once he did, he saw the opportunity to help other hopeless cases by becoming a certified drug counselor. He’s helped addicts from all walks of life, often employing methods that are very much at odds with the traditional rehab approach.
Running with Monsters is an electrifying chronicle of the LA rock scene of the 1980s and ’90s, the story of a man who survived and triumphed over his demons, and a controversial perspective on the rehab industry and what it really takes to beat addiction. Bob tells his story with unflinching honesty and hard-won perspective, making this a reading experience that shocks, entertains, and ultimately inspires.
Life has been one strange trip for Bob Forrest. He started out as a suburban teenage drunkard from the Southern California suburbs and went on to become a member of a hip Hollywood crowd that included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Depp, and River Phoenix. Los Angeles was their playground, and they hung out in such infamous haunts as the Viper Room and the Whisky a Go Go.
Always one to push things to their limit, Bob partied the hardest and could usually be found at the center of the drama. Drugs weren’t Bob’s only passion. He was also a talented musician who commanded the stage as the wild and unpredictable lead singer of Thelonious Monster. They traveled the world, and their future seemed bright and wide open. But Bob’s demons grew stronger as he achieved more success and he sank deeper into his chemical dependency, which included alcohol, crack, and heroin habits. No matter how many times he went to rehab, sobriety just wouldn’t stick for him. Soon he saw his once-promising music career slip away entirely.
Eventually Bob found a way to defeat his addiction, and once he did, he saw the opportunity to help other hopeless cases by becoming a certified drug counselor. He’s helped addicts from all walks of life, often employing methods that are very much at odds with the traditional rehab approach.
Running with Monsters is an electrifying chronicle of the LA rock scene of the 1980s and ’90s, the story of a man who survived and triumphed over his demons, and a controversial perspective on the rehab industry and what it really takes to beat addiction. Bob tells his story with unflinching honesty and hard-won perspective, making this a reading experience that shocks, entertains, and ultimately inspires.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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848 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 3, 2013
I read it in less than 24 hours. That says tons.
Maybe it was because it was the perfect compliment to Last Night At The Viper Room (which I finished yesterday), but I found myself transfixed to that era...and not wanting the book to end.
Really cool insight on not only the world of addiction & recovery, but the greed and scamming going on behind the walls of the most famous "treatment" centers.
A bit grittier in the storytelling than LNATVP, but that just makes it more raw and tangible. You can almost feel yourself walking thru the living rooms of those million dollar homes being used as drug dens.
Maybe it was because it was the perfect compliment to Last Night At The Viper Room (which I finished yesterday), but I found myself transfixed to that era...and not wanting the book to end.
Really cool insight on not only the world of addiction & recovery, but the greed and scamming going on behind the walls of the most famous "treatment" centers.
A bit grittier in the storytelling than LNATVP, but that just makes it more raw and tangible. You can almost feel yourself walking thru the living rooms of those million dollar homes being used as drug dens.
Read
September 25, 2013Running with Monsters is a quick read and if you're a fan of the LA music scene in the eighties and nineties there's plenty of name-dropping and funny stories to make things interesting. I always liked Thelonious Monster and thought they should've been more popular - now I know why things fell apart.
Mr. Forrest talks openly about his own addiction to drugs and alcohol, his 27 trips to rehab, getting clean, his feelings about the twelve steps, and various other topics. It was fun to read, but his descriptions of the period when he was an addict tend towards the people he hung out with and have that fuzzy haze of things half-remembered because you weren't really straight enough to get a real memory. There is much less about his own road to recovery, his philosophy about recovery, etc. I would've liked to hear more about that, honestly. I'd also like to hear more about the people he's helped. A fun read, but not nearly as memorable as it could have been.
Mr. Forrest talks openly about his own addiction to drugs and alcohol, his 27 trips to rehab, getting clean, his feelings about the twelve steps, and various other topics. It was fun to read, but his descriptions of the period when he was an addict tend towards the people he hung out with and have that fuzzy haze of things half-remembered because you weren't really straight enough to get a real memory. There is much less about his own road to recovery, his philosophy about recovery, etc. I would've liked to hear more about that, honestly. I'd also like to hear more about the people he's helped. A fun read, but not nearly as memorable as it could have been.
December 2, 2013
It always bums me out when I end up liking someone less after I read their book. That happened here.
September 3, 2013
In his 2005 memoir, Scar Tissue, Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers describes Lunatic Bob Forrest as a drunken wreck, bitter and angry. Bob was quickly fired as the band's manager. He was according to Keidis "a guy who couldn't manage five dollars." Next he tried his hand at being a road manager, but he was severely under-qualified for that role as well. He couldn't even hack it as a grunt roadie.
Then, through a series of fortunate events, he bumbled his way into forming a band of his own. He knew enough about hip culture to come up with a cool name, Thelonious Monster, but anyone who expected Forrest's music would bear any resemblance to the music of the mad monk of jazz would be sorely disappointed. He wouldn't see the Forrest for the trees, so to speak. One of their most popular songs was actually an homage to the red rocker, Sammy Hagar, "Sammy Hagar Weekend." Though their music may have been primitive and crude, it was heartfelt and sincere. They managed to record several albums and picked up a cult following that no doubt even included Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, as he would later find out while washing dishes and busing tables in a cafe frequented by the Hollaback Girl. Awkward.
Of all the startling confessions of lies, thefts, felonies, sins of omission, and so forth, the most startling was when he confessed that he was actually bitter that he wasn't a big rock star like his pals in the Chili Peppers. Admitting it helped him finally gain control over his demons, but my gosh. from where I was standing, he never worked very hard at his craft or his art, plus he blew off all the golden opportunities and burned all the bridges. He suffered from what the Greeks called pleonexia--insatiably wanting more than one's due.
Still, I have to admit that I found this book to be very compelling, and I read it without ceasing right up to the penultimate chapter. It was 4:30 AM at that point so I was able to wait until the following day to finish it. What I found interesting was the insider view of the LA rock scene. Forrest was the Zelig of So Cal rock in the 80's and 90's. He had an uncanny knack for being at Ground Zero. For instance, when River Phoenix overdosed after a set with Johnny Depp at The Viper Room, Forrest was there to impotently warn River not to party so much.
Though some of the juiciest tidbits were only hinted at, he did give a blow-by-blow of Britney's head shaving meltdown--albeit ostensibly to condemn the antics of the paparazzi. Having your cake and eating it too? Can you spell hypocrisy? How dare talk show hosts like Leno and Letterman mock celebrities going through rehab? Though he was to the manner born, confidentiality was a custom more honour'd in the breach than the observance.
At one point, he described a VIP AA meeting where his biggest idol got up and confessed that he had tried to end it all by washing some pills down with a Chardonnay and walking into the waves at Malibu. This star of stage and screen said he felt like James Mason as Norman Maine in the 1954 musical A Star is Born, with Judy Garland. Though he didn't actually spell it out, I had the feeling that he was talking about David Bowie, though Peter Gabriel also comes to mind when British Rock Stars are compared to James Mason. But from other details divulged, it had to be Bowie. Forrest was on the one hand impressed to be in on the low down with his idol, but disappointed that he was a fan of Judy. He had me with this story, but he lost it when he said that he felt Judy Garland was lame. Sacrilege!
For the most part I agreed with his taste in music, except when he dismissed everything that happened before his time. Karma caught up to him when he tried to critique his own kids' musical choices. The Replacements and Joy Division are two bands that I wholeheartedly agree with him on. They are stellar. Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers sounds like a great guy, and he kept his compass intact in spite of the murky waters they navigated. I have never heard any of Bob Forrest's music, though I am intrigued since reading this book. As a memoir of someone who lived through a very interesting epoch with his mental faculties intact enough to remember, it is a very compelling narrative. Though he had help from writer and journalist Michael Albo, Forrest certainly has a way with words and it would be interesting to see what he can come up with if he chooses to write any more books.
Then, through a series of fortunate events, he bumbled his way into forming a band of his own. He knew enough about hip culture to come up with a cool name, Thelonious Monster, but anyone who expected Forrest's music would bear any resemblance to the music of the mad monk of jazz would be sorely disappointed. He wouldn't see the Forrest for the trees, so to speak. One of their most popular songs was actually an homage to the red rocker, Sammy Hagar, "Sammy Hagar Weekend." Though their music may have been primitive and crude, it was heartfelt and sincere. They managed to record several albums and picked up a cult following that no doubt even included Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, as he would later find out while washing dishes and busing tables in a cafe frequented by the Hollaback Girl. Awkward.
Of all the startling confessions of lies, thefts, felonies, sins of omission, and so forth, the most startling was when he confessed that he was actually bitter that he wasn't a big rock star like his pals in the Chili Peppers. Admitting it helped him finally gain control over his demons, but my gosh. from where I was standing, he never worked very hard at his craft or his art, plus he blew off all the golden opportunities and burned all the bridges. He suffered from what the Greeks called pleonexia--insatiably wanting more than one's due.
Still, I have to admit that I found this book to be very compelling, and I read it without ceasing right up to the penultimate chapter. It was 4:30 AM at that point so I was able to wait until the following day to finish it. What I found interesting was the insider view of the LA rock scene. Forrest was the Zelig of So Cal rock in the 80's and 90's. He had an uncanny knack for being at Ground Zero. For instance, when River Phoenix overdosed after a set with Johnny Depp at The Viper Room, Forrest was there to impotently warn River not to party so much.
Though some of the juiciest tidbits were only hinted at, he did give a blow-by-blow of Britney's head shaving meltdown--albeit ostensibly to condemn the antics of the paparazzi. Having your cake and eating it too? Can you spell hypocrisy? How dare talk show hosts like Leno and Letterman mock celebrities going through rehab? Though he was to the manner born, confidentiality was a custom more honour'd in the breach than the observance.
At one point, he described a VIP AA meeting where his biggest idol got up and confessed that he had tried to end it all by washing some pills down with a Chardonnay and walking into the waves at Malibu. This star of stage and screen said he felt like James Mason as Norman Maine in the 1954 musical A Star is Born, with Judy Garland. Though he didn't actually spell it out, I had the feeling that he was talking about David Bowie, though Peter Gabriel also comes to mind when British Rock Stars are compared to James Mason. But from other details divulged, it had to be Bowie. Forrest was on the one hand impressed to be in on the low down with his idol, but disappointed that he was a fan of Judy. He had me with this story, but he lost it when he said that he felt Judy Garland was lame. Sacrilege!
For the most part I agreed with his taste in music, except when he dismissed everything that happened before his time. Karma caught up to him when he tried to critique his own kids' musical choices. The Replacements and Joy Division are two bands that I wholeheartedly agree with him on. They are stellar. Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers sounds like a great guy, and he kept his compass intact in spite of the murky waters they navigated. I have never heard any of Bob Forrest's music, though I am intrigued since reading this book. As a memoir of someone who lived through a very interesting epoch with his mental faculties intact enough to remember, it is a very compelling narrative. Though he had help from writer and journalist Michael Albo, Forrest certainly has a way with words and it would be interesting to see what he can come up with if he chooses to write any more books.
January 6, 2020
You can't win them all, and I quickly discovered that while reading through other reviews. I picked this book up because I was curious to see what the "man with the hat" had been through before he was on Celebrity Rehab. I was impressed with the level of honesty Bob had when writing this book, at multiple times he admits he was his own worst enemy and jacked up what he wanted in life. He also admitted to being jealous of his friends success, something that's hard for almost anyone to do. Ultimately reading this made me curious to find out more about his band Thelonious Monster (found some songs on youtube, and was surprised I hadn't heard of them when I was younger as that was exactly the type of music I absolutely loved in high school). I also wanted to know more about Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, because he comes across as one of the absolute coolest people on earth in this book. I liked the explanation of the process of recovery and how Bob reached the point where he is at. My only complaint was the consistent name dropping of people I had no idea who they were. I'm not a big music groupie so I spent a lot of time looking things up and trying to see why they were important.
September 4, 2025
This memoir was definitely interesting. It was somewhat confusing to follow because he would jump around a lot in the timeline, and it was hard to determine what happened when sometimes. I liked how honest and open he was. The stories about how sick he was with addiction were heartbreaking. I found it inspiring how he was able to save himself and how he now helps and tries to save so many other people struggling like he did and still does.
May 23, 2023
Wow! What a story Bob has to tell about working in Hollywood! He grew up in California and got involved in LA music clubs. He has crazy stories to tell and struggled with addictions. It does have a happy ending and Bob survived to write about it!
September 1, 2024
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
recovering addict, drug / rehab counselor tells the stories of his days running around with the RHCP crew and others, particularly those related to the Viper Room and its parties and trauma. reco!!!
recovering addict, drug / rehab counselor tells the stories of his days running around with the RHCP crew and others, particularly those related to the Viper Room and its parties and trauma. reco!!!
July 11, 2017
A good look at an unsung hero of recovery.
September 24, 2018
For how simple this book was, I really enjoyed!
April 13, 2020
Bob Forrest is a great person. I wish he was my friend.
November 5, 2020
I’m a sucker for a Hollywood/rock and roll memoir- drugs, name dropping and tales of fast living, and this one didn’t disappoint. Bob gives stories of friends Flea and Anthony from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, River Phoenix on the night he died, on to his work with addicts (after getting clean himself) including Mike Starr of Alice In Chains. A true story of redemption, I appreciated Bob’s honest tales of his drug use and the reality that no addict gets clean unless they want to.
March 10, 2021
Great book
Great reading about Bob's life & history dealing with drugs. It's great that he got his life back together during his hard struggles with drugs & alcohol addiction.
Great reading about Bob's life & history dealing with drugs. It's great that he got his life back together during his hard struggles with drugs & alcohol addiction.
June 30, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This memoir was interesting, but it got repetitive about halfway through. It started off great, but then the book became more of a "I know this famous person, look how cool I am" brag. I had no idea who Bob Forrest was until I read this book and did some supplementary research. I mean, I've seen him before on TV because he stands out with that hat, but I had no idea who he was until I got further into the memoir.
The book piqued my interest and, before I continued reading, I did a bit of side research on Bob Forrest, Thelonious Monster and the Viper Room so that I could better understand this guy. I get that Forrest wanted to tell his story about his battle with addiction, but I think this book better served the purpose of showing how much of a scumbag Forrest was for the majority of his life. I have no sympathy for him whatsoever.
One of the promotions for this book is to hand it out at addiction recovery centers, but I don't know if that's such a great idea. I don't really see how a book like this would help a drug addict because, for the majority of the book, Forrest was almost glorifying drugs and it sort of felt like he missed those "I'm in a drug stupor and am a total dope" days. It all sounded really screwed up. I'm glad he's helping people recover from drug addiction now, so at least he's doing some good.
That cover is the bomb. If I were browsing in a book store and came across that cover, I would immediately stop and take a look at this book. Kudos to the book cover designer. I also loved the writing style and it managed to keep my interest, despite the somewhat repetitive nature of the memoir (this book probably could have been cut in half). It was interesting, well-written and it was certainly worth reading, but it's not a book that I'm going to keep on my shelf.
This memoir was interesting, but it got repetitive about halfway through. It started off great, but then the book became more of a "I know this famous person, look how cool I am" brag. I had no idea who Bob Forrest was until I read this book and did some supplementary research. I mean, I've seen him before on TV because he stands out with that hat, but I had no idea who he was until I got further into the memoir.
The book piqued my interest and, before I continued reading, I did a bit of side research on Bob Forrest, Thelonious Monster and the Viper Room so that I could better understand this guy. I get that Forrest wanted to tell his story about his battle with addiction, but I think this book better served the purpose of showing how much of a scumbag Forrest was for the majority of his life. I have no sympathy for him whatsoever.
One of the promotions for this book is to hand it out at addiction recovery centers, but I don't know if that's such a great idea. I don't really see how a book like this would help a drug addict because, for the majority of the book, Forrest was almost glorifying drugs and it sort of felt like he missed those "I'm in a drug stupor and am a total dope" days. It all sounded really screwed up. I'm glad he's helping people recover from drug addiction now, so at least he's doing some good.
That cover is the bomb. If I were browsing in a book store and came across that cover, I would immediately stop and take a look at this book. Kudos to the book cover designer. I also loved the writing style and it managed to keep my interest, despite the somewhat repetitive nature of the memoir (this book probably could have been cut in half). It was interesting, well-written and it was certainly worth reading, but it's not a book that I'm going to keep on my shelf.
December 17, 2014
I always take very little when reading memoirs by addicts. They were so stoned how can they even remember what happened much less keep track of it. I only knew Bob Forrest from Celebrity Rehab as "the guy in the hat" as he even calls himself. However I didn't like his book much. I doubt alot of the validity of it. I checked his Wikepedia page about a year ago and it didn't say much. Now it says he was a member of Theolonius Monster and they were a big deal. I live in LA and was a huge fixture on the Sunset Strip and I have never heard of this band. None of my friends have either. He claims he was at the Viper Room when River Phoenix died. So do alot of other people. Anyone can read what happened that night and claim they were there. He claims he was instrumental in getting John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sober. Doubt that story too. And he claims that Celebrity Rehab was his idea. Yet he's listed as a recurring cast member -- not a producer or an executive of any kind.
I admire him for being able to finally get a grip on his addiciton -- which I know isn't easy to do -- and I admire that he worked hard and went to school to get certified when alot of "counselors" don't. I admire his conviction in wanting to help people and hoping they can stay clean. What I don't admire him for is having a relationship and a child with someone who was a patient at Las Encinas. No one else in recovery is allowed to do that and keep their jobs (as he told a similar story in the book) yet it's ok for him? Either that's another fabrication or Las Encinas thinks he's soooo valuable a counselor that they can overlook that.
Running With Monsters? Maybe in his own head. But to me he was running with Puff The Magic Dragon. Which is just a story/song written by someone clearly high on drugs.
I admire him for being able to finally get a grip on his addiciton -- which I know isn't easy to do -- and I admire that he worked hard and went to school to get certified when alot of "counselors" don't. I admire his conviction in wanting to help people and hoping they can stay clean. What I don't admire him for is having a relationship and a child with someone who was a patient at Las Encinas. No one else in recovery is allowed to do that and keep their jobs (as he told a similar story in the book) yet it's ok for him? Either that's another fabrication or Las Encinas thinks he's soooo valuable a counselor that they can overlook that.
Running With Monsters? Maybe in his own head. But to me he was running with Puff The Magic Dragon. Which is just a story/song written by someone clearly high on drugs.
September 19, 2013
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Bob Forrest has had a somewhat successful career as a musician and working in the music business until his drug habits catch up to him. He spent massive amounts of money on his addiction, ruined relationships and barely made it out alive. As the creative genius behind Thelonious Monster, he has seen his fellow musicians, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers succeed, while he was just barely surviving because of his addictions. In his path to become clean, he found a career as a drug counselor, getting fellow musicians off drugs and partnered with Dr. Drew Pinsky on Celebrity Rehab.
I really enjoyed this memoir since it was so different from most of these music related stories that tend to follow a pattern. Usually they follow the same series of events: struggling to get noticed, fame and fortune, seduced by drugs, burnout and then getting clean/finding God. This one didn't quite follow those ideas. Forrest admits he was addicted even before fame set in, that he would do anything for drugs and that his prior attempts failed because he couldn't get past the "God" element in the 12 Steps program that most sober programs use.
There is a wonderful balance between the music industry gossip and what it actually takes to become clean and sober. His story also rings very true. There is not a lot of embellishing to glamorize the drug use by celebrities, he lays the facts out while making it very interesting. So come for the wonderful insider stories about a lot of famous musicians but stay for the fascinating story that is Bob Forrest's life. This is a very well done memoir.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Bob Forrest has had a somewhat successful career as a musician and working in the music business until his drug habits catch up to him. He spent massive amounts of money on his addiction, ruined relationships and barely made it out alive. As the creative genius behind Thelonious Monster, he has seen his fellow musicians, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers succeed, while he was just barely surviving because of his addictions. In his path to become clean, he found a career as a drug counselor, getting fellow musicians off drugs and partnered with Dr. Drew Pinsky on Celebrity Rehab.
I really enjoyed this memoir since it was so different from most of these music related stories that tend to follow a pattern. Usually they follow the same series of events: struggling to get noticed, fame and fortune, seduced by drugs, burnout and then getting clean/finding God. This one didn't quite follow those ideas. Forrest admits he was addicted even before fame set in, that he would do anything for drugs and that his prior attempts failed because he couldn't get past the "God" element in the 12 Steps program that most sober programs use.
There is a wonderful balance between the music industry gossip and what it actually takes to become clean and sober. His story also rings very true. There is not a lot of embellishing to glamorize the drug use by celebrities, he lays the facts out while making it very interesting. So come for the wonderful insider stories about a lot of famous musicians but stay for the fascinating story that is Bob Forrest's life. This is a very well done memoir.
Read
September 2, 2014I've seen Bob Forrest's penis. It was in the early 1990s, at TT the Bears in Cambridge. Thelonious Monster was opening, I think, for Soul Asylum and then playing clubs after their set. I loved Beautiful Mess, the album they were touring behind. There was an obnoxious guy in the front of the club (ie. right in front of me) who later identified himself as Thelonious Monster's "biggest fan." This "fan" kept yelling at Bob, making obnoxious requests and when he had nothing else to say, would shout, "Lakers Suck!" Finally, Bob asked, You wanna see what Larry Bird's dick looks like? and pulled out his own dick to demonstrate. Then he took a huge roundhouse swing at the guy but was swaying so much he nearly fell of the stage. Drummer Pete Weiss somehow leapt over his drum set and was at the front of the stage threatening to kick the "fan"'s ass. The bouncers took him out.
The band looked at each other and then slammed into a great version of Elvis Costello's "Radio Radio."
I had little interest in a drug addict's memoir, but as a fan of Thelonious Monster, I wanted to read more from Bob Forrest. It's a quick read with lots of name dropping. I knew the Monster was hooked up with the Chili Peppers but I didn't realize how closely. I wanted to hear more about the band, how Bob dealt with the temporary addition of a co-lead singer (Mike Martt), wanted to hear about Dix and how Chris Handsome managed to save enough for a house in France while Bob (who had songwriting royalties) ended up a dishwasher in LA.
This is a book for people who know Forrest from Celebrity Rehab but not the music memoir I was hoping for.
The band looked at each other and then slammed into a great version of Elvis Costello's "Radio Radio."
I had little interest in a drug addict's memoir, but as a fan of Thelonious Monster, I wanted to read more from Bob Forrest. It's a quick read with lots of name dropping. I knew the Monster was hooked up with the Chili Peppers but I didn't realize how closely. I wanted to hear more about the band, how Bob dealt with the temporary addition of a co-lead singer (Mike Martt), wanted to hear about Dix and how Chris Handsome managed to save enough for a house in France while Bob (who had songwriting royalties) ended up a dishwasher in LA.
This is a book for people who know Forrest from Celebrity Rehab but not the music memoir I was hoping for.
January 26, 2014
Bob Forrest is an interesting guy - always on the sidelines, many times almost famous, nearly a rock star, nearly a husband, nearly a father. You might know him as the interesting guy with the strange hat and glasses from Celebrity Rehab. I've heard him interviewed by Dr. Drew Pinsky several times, and I know that their friendship goes way back to the darkest days of Forrest's drug addiction.
Forrest's tale is wondrous and twisted. As you read, you keep thinking: this time, he'll make it! If his friends and super-addicts The Red Hot Chili Peppers can do it - why can't Forrest?
Forrest's story takes you deep into the world of the severely drug addicted. You experience the highs and the lows with him, the close calls and the tragic events. I felt Forrest's confusion over his parent's relationship as well as his terror when things went south (again and again).
What a remarkable life Mr. Forrest has led.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was there were not enough breaks in the text. The stream of consciousness would keep going deeper into the rabbit hole, with no good "stopping place". I like to usually read a chapter or section of a book every night before bed, but often found myself not picking this book up because the chapters were long and without clean breaks. That is something that really could've been fixed in the editing, as Forrest's ideas definitely had places where a chapter could've ended before starting the next tale and still kept the flow. Otherwise, this would've been 5 stars.
Forrest's tale is wondrous and twisted. As you read, you keep thinking: this time, he'll make it! If his friends and super-addicts The Red Hot Chili Peppers can do it - why can't Forrest?
Forrest's story takes you deep into the world of the severely drug addicted. You experience the highs and the lows with him, the close calls and the tragic events. I felt Forrest's confusion over his parent's relationship as well as his terror when things went south (again and again).
What a remarkable life Mr. Forrest has led.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was there were not enough breaks in the text. The stream of consciousness would keep going deeper into the rabbit hole, with no good "stopping place". I like to usually read a chapter or section of a book every night before bed, but often found myself not picking this book up because the chapters were long and without clean breaks. That is something that really could've been fixed in the editing, as Forrest's ideas definitely had places where a chapter could've ended before starting the next tale and still kept the flow. Otherwise, this would've been 5 stars.
November 8, 2013
I received this book from the Goodreads First reads giveaway program. Thank you author/publisher for the opportunity to read and review your new book.
Running with Monsters is the memoir of Bob Forrest known for being the frontman of the bands Thelonius Monster, and the Bicycle Thief. He was a drug counselor and reality star on VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Unfortunately he was also known as a drug addict.
Bob Forrest takes us through all these times in his memoir. Much of the book is about his life in the LA music scene. The problems of drug use among bandmates. He talks of the Viper room a private Hollywood hangout for musicians and actors started up by Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco. Also the place where the late actor River Phoenix overdosed.
Bob also tells us of his 20+ failed attempts in rehab. Eventually sobriety does happen for Bob. Today he is 15 years sober. Bob goes on to counsel other drug addicts and found much success on Celebrity Rehab and other spinoffs. I personally watched every season of that show and felt Bob was shown alot of respect from the patients. Patients really connected to him as he has been through the same experiences with addiction.
Today Bob seems to be enjoying life with his family. I found on his twitter page he is working on a new album.
Running with Monsters is the memoir of Bob Forrest known for being the frontman of the bands Thelonius Monster, and the Bicycle Thief. He was a drug counselor and reality star on VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Unfortunately he was also known as a drug addict.
Bob Forrest takes us through all these times in his memoir. Much of the book is about his life in the LA music scene. The problems of drug use among bandmates. He talks of the Viper room a private Hollywood hangout for musicians and actors started up by Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco. Also the place where the late actor River Phoenix overdosed.
Bob also tells us of his 20+ failed attempts in rehab. Eventually sobriety does happen for Bob. Today he is 15 years sober. Bob goes on to counsel other drug addicts and found much success on Celebrity Rehab and other spinoffs. I personally watched every season of that show and felt Bob was shown alot of respect from the patients. Patients really connected to him as he has been through the same experiences with addiction.
Today Bob seems to be enjoying life with his family. I found on his twitter page he is working on a new album.
October 29, 2013
You probably know him best as Dr. Drew's charming, eccentric, tough-guy sidekick on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, if you don't already know him as the charismatic frontman of late-'80s indie band Thelonious Monster. Either way, Bob Forrest has a drug-addled history that was a career in itself, and it's all laid out in his new page-turner, Running With Monsters. From Forrest's early days as a menacing desert rat through his time as a crack-smoking, smack-shooting dealer, the book chronicles the colorful, hectic life of a good ol' SoCal boy turned very, very bad. See the "junkie whisperer" read from and sign copies of his completely absorbing, entertaining, and ultimately sobering tell-all memoir of music, love, and addiction at Stories Books and Cafe. Just don't offer to buy him a drink afterwards.
Originally published here: http://beta.flavorpill.com/events/bob...
Originally published here: http://beta.flavorpill.com/events/bob...
October 9, 2013
*** I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. ***
I enjoyed Bob Forrest's Running with Monsters: A Memoir because it is a fast-paced, rocky ride like the author's own life. Tragic and fascinating, the book is chockfull of famous and infamous drug addicts, many of whom have died. I admire Forrest's painful truth telling, and I wholeheartedly agree with his conclusions regarding drugs and drug addicts. Forrest gives many examples of drug users and abusers who hit their very individual "bottoms" before they began recovery. As Forrest documents so tragically, far too many very talented and not-so-talented people succumb to their addiction-of-choice before they become self-motivated to save their own lives and to stop harming the ones they claim to love. I recommend this book to everyone.
I enjoyed Bob Forrest's Running with Monsters: A Memoir because it is a fast-paced, rocky ride like the author's own life. Tragic and fascinating, the book is chockfull of famous and infamous drug addicts, many of whom have died. I admire Forrest's painful truth telling, and I wholeheartedly agree with his conclusions regarding drugs and drug addicts. Forrest gives many examples of drug users and abusers who hit their very individual "bottoms" before they began recovery. As Forrest documents so tragically, far too many very talented and not-so-talented people succumb to their addiction-of-choice before they become self-motivated to save their own lives and to stop harming the ones they claim to love. I recommend this book to everyone.
November 4, 2013
3 1/2 stars. I read this book over a 24 hour time period. It's a good/sad/interesting rock memoir. Bob Forrest was in the 80s rock band Thelonious Monster, and later, in the 90s, Bicycle Thief. He's also on the VH1 show, Celebrity Rehab as a counselor. This book delves into the L.A. rock scene and the world of hard core drug addiction. Forrest is/was buddies with Flea, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante (of The Red Hot Chili Peppers), Layne Staley (of Alice in Chains) and River Phoenix. Forrest finally got clean after 26 (!) stints in rehab. He's lucky to be alive. Anyway, this is another fascinating memoir about talented, lucky people who throw most of their opportunities away due to drug/alcohol addiction.
October 2, 2013
I admit that I chose this book because of Bob's relationship with Dr Drew Pinsky, but this book about Bob's journey was so so so much more than that chapter of his life. I feel like I just had an evening with a most fascinating raconteur, and he was sharing the stories of his life and the lessons learned. It read like a conversation. I so appreciate Bob;s not sugar-coating his addictions, his sobriety struggles, and his feelings. It must not be easy to make oneself this raw and open on paper for the world, but Bob does it with Grace. Well Done, an excellent memoir.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2015
*received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads*
Great read, you get a glimpse of the LA music scene in the eighties and nineties and lots of interesting stories with some of his more famous friends. The book really gave a great perspective on the life of addiction and what that addiction does to your life. It doesn't glamorize drugs or sobriety it gives an honest picture of the everyday struggle. Forrest takes you inside the ups and downs of the lifestyle. A very well done memoir.
Great read, you get a glimpse of the LA music scene in the eighties and nineties and lots of interesting stories with some of his more famous friends. The book really gave a great perspective on the life of addiction and what that addiction does to your life. It doesn't glamorize drugs or sobriety it gives an honest picture of the everyday struggle. Forrest takes you inside the ups and downs of the lifestyle. A very well done memoir.
September 5, 2014
Forrest debunks much of the 12-step folklore, asserting that many addicts cannot embrace them and need to find other ways to modify behavior. There are numerous stories about knowing and/or partying with well-known musicians and other entertainers. He was famously at the Viper Room the night River Phoenix overdosed and died, worrying that he would be arrested for not calling for help for Phoenix. Some of the unnamed people are easy to identify from his descriptions, like Belinda Carlisle and Nile Rodgers.
September 23, 2013
In compliance with FTC guidelines I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Running with Monsters is a gritty and gripping tale of Bob Forrest's struggles with alcohol and drugs, and his ultimate triumph over them. The book contained great insight about what it is really like to be an addict. Forrest's tales about the Los Angeles rock scene were also fascinating. It was a really easy read and I would definitely recommend it to others!
August 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I have also worked in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility so I could relate to alot of what Bob Forrest was writing about in terms of addiction and how addicts thing/act. This is an honest view of his life. He doesn't skimp on the downside of addiction. It's not all fun and games in Hollywood when you are a junkie. The last few chapters seemed added at the last minute and didn't really flow with the rest of the book for me. Good story overall.
February 4, 2019
Straight Talk From A Survivors
I dug it. I had seen Bob on tv before I knew who he really was in his previous life and I saw the documentary about him before I read his book. This book was a hella-fast read but well worth its price. He shoots straight about everything. Lots of good stories about the rock n roll life in Hollywood and how in the end it’s all about survival and acceptance and surrender and happiness thru clean living. Good stuff.
I dug it. I had seen Bob on tv before I knew who he really was in his previous life and I saw the documentary about him before I read his book. This book was a hella-fast read but well worth its price. He shoots straight about everything. Lots of good stories about the rock n roll life in Hollywood and how in the end it’s all about survival and acceptance and surrender and happiness thru clean living. Good stuff.
September 27, 2013
I gave it to my mom, she seemed to be enjoy herself but has yet to relay anything to note. I would have given it to a more worthy person to review. Sadly though i don't know anyone who has heard of bob forrest. I also do not know anyone who has heard of the band thelonius monster. This is including my parents and their friends...
April 11, 2017
Showing what the rock and roll lifestyle was like in the 80's and 90's, this book really opened my eyes to the reality of how the scene was run back then, and how drugs played a big role in it.
I myself have never seen Celebrity Rehab, but the story of how Forrest got from where he started and how he got to the show is very commendable.
I myself have never seen Celebrity Rehab, but the story of how Forrest got from where he started and how he got to the show is very commendable.
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