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Nasher Says Relax – Inside the Band and Beyond the Pleasuredome
As the guitarist in Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Brian Nash conquered the world. The Liverpool band’s first three singles shot to the top of the UK charts and spawned a multi-million selling album in the mid-eighties.
It was a thrilling rock’n’roll ride for ‘Nasher’, a lad from a council house barely out of his teens. But the dream didn’t last. Aged just 27, he found himself near homeless and on the dole. One of ‘The Lads’ no more.
Now, 30 years on from the band’s formation, Nasher takes us back on a colourful journey to Hollywood and beyond.
What price fame? It’s time to tell the real story.
It was a thrilling rock’n’roll ride for ‘Nasher’, a lad from a council house barely out of his teens. But the dream didn’t last. Aged just 27, he found himself near homeless and on the dole. One of ‘The Lads’ no more.
Now, 30 years on from the band’s formation, Nasher takes us back on a colourful journey to Hollywood and beyond.
What price fame? It’s time to tell the real story.
- GenresMusicNonfictionAudiobook
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 24, 2015
A true GEM.......the book AND the author
I was a huge FRANKIE fan in the 80's and Nasher was always my favorite. At that time I had no idea what an all around terrific person he really is. I'm proud to say I have met him and call him a friend now. I loved every chapter, I laughed and cried. I highly recommend.
I was a huge FRANKIE fan in the 80's and Nasher was always my favorite. At that time I had no idea what an all around terrific person he really is. I'm proud to say I have met him and call him a friend now. I loved every chapter, I laughed and cried. I highly recommend.
February 20, 2021
Brilliant
Just came across this book by chance. Always the way on kindle. Read it in one sitting and it really is a well written book. Funny in parts. I remember the band bit didn't know too much about them. Brian tells his truth about what happened and although from an outsiders point of view has every reason to feel angry and let down it comes across as the opposite of a bitter tale. I hope he is still recording and doing what makes him happy. Loved it. Well worth a read.
Just came across this book by chance. Always the way on kindle. Read it in one sitting and it really is a well written book. Funny in parts. I remember the band bit didn't know too much about them. Brian tells his truth about what happened and although from an outsiders point of view has every reason to feel angry and let down it comes across as the opposite of a bitter tale. I hope he is still recording and doing what makes him happy. Loved it. Well worth a read.
October 19, 2020
I've no affinity to "Frankie" aside from enjoying the hit songs on the radio, but the book was more like having a pint with a really successful really down to earth musician, than usual biography over-reaching for some artistic achievement. No smoke and mirrors, likeable, honestly naive and reflective and seemingly still positive about what he should be proud of.
February 24, 2021
I was a FGTH fan in the 80s so was over the moon to find this book. I read Holly Johnson autobiography quite a few years back, so it was great to read things from the bands point of view. ZTT sound like a bunch of money grabbers, I see Trevor Horn with new eyes now.
June 30, 2022
A very balanced and well written story of the life of guitarist Brian Nash and his short but explosive career with Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Not a tell-all type of book, but more the story behind the story, and his career and life after Frankie. Highly enjoyable and recommended.
September 1, 2020
I fell for the good reviews promising something other than the usual pop star fare. I was disappointed but I'm clearly in a minority on this one.
February 3, 2021
Pleasant read
Not Earth shattering but he sounds a decent bloke who doesn't hold grudges.
It's also another cautionary tale about robbing labels.
Not Earth shattering but he sounds a decent bloke who doesn't hold grudges.
It's also another cautionary tale about robbing labels.
January 3, 2023
In the 1980s, just about everyone owned a t-shirt that said FRANKIE SAY RELAX. Frankie Goes to Hollywood took the world by storm with their double-disc debut album (this was when there were still records) then seemed to disappear almost just as quickly. Brian Nash was the guitar player for the band and in his autobiography details the history, rise, and fall of the band.
Nasher Says Relax is candid and told from one person’s point of view. The only other person to pen their version of events was lead singer Holly Johnson, and when I looked I found his book to be out of print and hard to find (don’t even ask about finding it on the Kindle). However, Brian Nash refers to some of what Holly talked about in that book and will either agree with it or tell his version of what transpired.
Coming out of working-class Liverpool, there were many bands that rode the music video tide in the 1980s and found success. It seemed to be a time that these young musicians could take a risk and see how things would turn out. Nash was adopted and grew up in a loving atmosphere in a city that was a bit rough but also endearing. I could see the places he talked about and find similarities between the City and my own youth on Long Island and in New York City. He was close early on to his cousins, the O’Tooles, and it was this familial relationship that would spell success later on.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
Nasher Says Relax is candid and told from one person’s point of view. The only other person to pen their version of events was lead singer Holly Johnson, and when I looked I found his book to be out of print and hard to find (don’t even ask about finding it on the Kindle). However, Brian Nash refers to some of what Holly talked about in that book and will either agree with it or tell his version of what transpired.
Coming out of working-class Liverpool, there were many bands that rode the music video tide in the 1980s and found success. It seemed to be a time that these young musicians could take a risk and see how things would turn out. Nash was adopted and grew up in a loving atmosphere in a city that was a bit rough but also endearing. I could see the places he talked about and find similarities between the City and my own youth on Long Island and in New York City. He was close early on to his cousins, the O’Tooles, and it was this familial relationship that would spell success later on.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
July 13, 2016
An excellent book about the 80's band Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
I was never a massive fan but enjoyed their early stuff. To be honest I thought they were merely gay icons and a bit of a novelty band. Although Relax, Two Tribes and The Power of Love are all excellent tunes.
Brian Nash has certainly changed my opinion though as it is clear the band behind Holly Johnson were talented musicians. I must read Holly Johnson's version of events as it appears from this book that he was selfish and did not mix with the rest of the band. Created deals for himself to the financial detriment of others.
The last few chapters about what he is doing now and the death of his parents was a difficult yet fascinating read. His father seemed a real rock of the family and his mother loving and caring. Well written and brings a lump to the throat.
If you want to know more of the 80's scene and Frankie in particular, give it a go.
If you dont gt
I was never a massive fan but enjoyed their early stuff. To be honest I thought they were merely gay icons and a bit of a novelty band. Although Relax, Two Tribes and The Power of Love are all excellent tunes.
Brian Nash has certainly changed my opinion though as it is clear the band behind Holly Johnson were talented musicians. I must read Holly Johnson's version of events as it appears from this book that he was selfish and did not mix with the rest of the band. Created deals for himself to the financial detriment of others.
The last few chapters about what he is doing now and the death of his parents was a difficult yet fascinating read. His father seemed a real rock of the family and his mother loving and caring. Well written and brings a lump to the throat.
If you want to know more of the 80's scene and Frankie in particular, give it a go.
If you dont gt
February 27, 2015
I’ve read Holly Johnson’s book about the Frankie Goes to Hollywood days (‘A Bone in My Flute’) and Nasher’s book gives a wholly different viewpoint from one of the lads in the band.
Nasher is a much nicer companion to those days and the book gives a rounded picture of the adventures of a young lad given the keys to the toy-box. It then follows him into his life as a husband and father and semi-pro musician.
After finishing the book, I feel I almost know him - and that I would like to!
Nasher is a much nicer companion to those days and the book gives a rounded picture of the adventures of a young lad given the keys to the toy-box. It then follows him into his life as a husband and father and semi-pro musician.
After finishing the book, I feel I almost know him - and that I would like to!
February 8, 2017
Frankie and fearless, very enjoyable. One for the fans.
June 20, 2023
Fantastic Insight into Frankie
As a Frankie fan from back in the 80’s this book slipped under the radar for me, until only a few days ago. I have not been able to put it down since, and just didn’t want it to end. What a story, with fantastic insight into the weird world of music, touring, record labels and lawyers!! Now off to get a load of Nasher’s solo material - I have some catching up to do!!
As a Frankie fan from back in the 80’s this book slipped under the radar for me, until only a few days ago. I have not been able to put it down since, and just didn’t want it to end. What a story, with fantastic insight into the weird world of music, touring, record labels and lawyers!! Now off to get a load of Nasher’s solo material - I have some catching up to do!!
January 23, 2014
One for the FGTH fans really. But a great description of the rise of the band, how they got shafted by ZTT and how it all fell apart. Brian Nash is a good narrator and seems to have come to terms with how it all panned out. It's a shame they don't bury the hatchet and do a nostalgia tour.
April 16, 2015
It was alright. Not as well written as Holly's book, but Nasher seems a nicer person. Interesting to read two sides of the story, I suppose.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews