What do you think?
Rate this book
I. Need. Truth.: My Life and Times in Project 86
I. NEED. TRUTH. is an exhaustive journey through the music career of Andrew Schwab, during his time in the band he founded and fronted, Project 86. More than an autobiography, it is an emotional demonstration of the sacrifices made by modern recording artists, and the vindication which only can come from great disappointment throughout the journey.
Each chapter contains a detailed look at the influences, circumstances, and situations which coalesced to produce the music, and especially the lyrics, for every album. Schwab also reveals the intricacies of the business side of the industry as he shares both hilarious and sobering episodes from the road. This volume packs an unexpected emotional punch; you will experience the depths of his disappointment as well as the heights of his vindication.
Known as one of the most enigmatic vocalists in underground heavy music from the past several decades, Andrew Schwab's legacy with Project 86 is cemented as a source of inspiration for hundreds of thousands of music fans across the globe.
Each chapter contains a detailed look at the influences, circumstances, and situations which coalesced to produce the music, and especially the lyrics, for every album. Schwab also reveals the intricacies of the business side of the industry as he shares both hilarious and sobering episodes from the road. This volume packs an unexpected emotional punch; you will experience the depths of his disappointment as well as the heights of his vindication.
Known as one of the most enigmatic vocalists in underground heavy music from the past several decades, Andrew Schwab's legacy with Project 86 is cemented as a source of inspiration for hundreds of thousands of music fans across the globe.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2025
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Schwab
13 books29 followersAndrew "Macabre" Schwab is an American singer, songwriter, author, and journalist. He is the lead singer and lyricist for the rock group Project 86. With Project 86, he has released seven albums and 2 EPs to date. Through Relevant publishing he has released one autobiography "It's All Downhill From Here: On the Road with Project 86" chronicling his life on the road with the band. He has also released two compilations of his own poetry, humorous stories, rants, and insights on life ("We Caught You Plotting Murder" and "Do Not Disturb") and is debuting a new book called "Fame Is Infamy" in November 2009. Schwab maintains a featured blog column at Relevant.com and also currently writes for HM, Relevant, and AP magazines. Schwab is often scheduled to speak at special events, music festivals, etc.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 30, 2025
Simply inspirational
September 4, 2025
Bittersweet is the only word that comes to mind.
The book takes the reader through all eras of Project 86 through the eyes of frontman Andrew Schwab. It’s an accessible, and quick read. It’s very cool to read lyrical breakdowns, and interesting to read Schwab’s perceived highlights from each era.
The book, however, doesn’t serve to enhance the casual reader’s perspective of Andrew. There’s a lot of main character syndrome present which gets really off-putting. I feel like Andrew wants to be so many things and strives to fill these personas: the “rockstar”, the enigmatic front man, the “rebel”, etc. but when people focus so much on trying to be these things it becomes disingenuous.
There are a lot of backhanded compliments during the early eras toward former bandmates, moments of “taking accountability” seem to fall flat because there doesn’t seem to be any personal growth from the author.
By the end of the book it becomes clear that Andrew just wanted to do his own thing, and not be inhibited by others who had different creative visions. Which is fine, I guess.
As someone who has been a fan of all eras, who was a backer of the OMNI project (which sounds phenomenal) and has the potential to really take steam, it was disappointing to hear certain adversities dismissed in the book as “trolls” or “haters” or even “dark forces” working against Andrew.
Sometimes, criticism and adversity are supposed to teach us things, and I think that the lessons of accountability and the way he handles interpersonal working relationships don’t seem to have been learned yet, which is evident in the last pages of the book as Schwab defiantly circles the wagons and draws into his enclave of intimate backers, raising a fist toward those on the outside and calling them his “fuel”.
I will always love Project 86. Andrew’s lyrics have been very important and formative to me in many ways, but the bittersweet nature of this book lies in the old saying, “Never meet your heroes”.
The book takes the reader through all eras of Project 86 through the eyes of frontman Andrew Schwab. It’s an accessible, and quick read. It’s very cool to read lyrical breakdowns, and interesting to read Schwab’s perceived highlights from each era.
The book, however, doesn’t serve to enhance the casual reader’s perspective of Andrew. There’s a lot of main character syndrome present which gets really off-putting. I feel like Andrew wants to be so many things and strives to fill these personas: the “rockstar”, the enigmatic front man, the “rebel”, etc. but when people focus so much on trying to be these things it becomes disingenuous.
There are a lot of backhanded compliments during the early eras toward former bandmates, moments of “taking accountability” seem to fall flat because there doesn’t seem to be any personal growth from the author.
By the end of the book it becomes clear that Andrew just wanted to do his own thing, and not be inhibited by others who had different creative visions. Which is fine, I guess.
As someone who has been a fan of all eras, who was a backer of the OMNI project (which sounds phenomenal) and has the potential to really take steam, it was disappointing to hear certain adversities dismissed in the book as “trolls” or “haters” or even “dark forces” working against Andrew.
Sometimes, criticism and adversity are supposed to teach us things, and I think that the lessons of accountability and the way he handles interpersonal working relationships don’t seem to have been learned yet, which is evident in the last pages of the book as Schwab defiantly circles the wagons and draws into his enclave of intimate backers, raising a fist toward those on the outside and calling them his “fuel”.
I will always love Project 86. Andrew’s lyrics have been very important and formative to me in many ways, but the bittersweet nature of this book lies in the old saying, “Never meet your heroes”.
August 18, 2025
I love music. As I get older, I often return to the bands I listened to in the past. Project 86 was one of those bands. In this book, Andrew Schwab, the “former” lead singer of Project details the history of the band regarding shows played and some behind the scenes of the creative process. The first parts of the book went smoothly and were enjoyable. But things began to drop off. For one, the book needed a (better?) editor. It has mistakes, repeated factoids and stories, and other grammatical annoyances.
Second, Andrew seems to be patting his former band mates on the back with one hand while stabbing them with the other. So many times does he go out of his way to praise the work of the newer stuff (post the original band members) while also slamming the older stuff. He often explains that many of the records people loved the band for were just not good. Or that songs that defined them were stale or not to his liking.
Honestly, the albums have decreased in listen ability (in my opinion) the further they got away from the old band members. Just as this book gets harder to read the further Schwab gets from the stories of the past.
There are many times when I feel Andrew wants to defend his folly without offending anyone. There are many platitudes about those who wrote songs with him (even songs he would later say he doesn’t like) but yet the best stuff he writes is later, when he is free of the former band members.
I don’t know. The book leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I wish there were more stories about the processes of making music and less….self defense. The parts of the book that shine are those where Andrew doesn’t seem to be trying to diss the former band members.
I argue it’s best to skip this book in general.
Second, Andrew seems to be patting his former band mates on the back with one hand while stabbing them with the other. So many times does he go out of his way to praise the work of the newer stuff (post the original band members) while also slamming the older stuff. He often explains that many of the records people loved the band for were just not good. Or that songs that defined them were stale or not to his liking.
Honestly, the albums have decreased in listen ability (in my opinion) the further they got away from the old band members. Just as this book gets harder to read the further Schwab gets from the stories of the past.
There are many times when I feel Andrew wants to defend his folly without offending anyone. There are many platitudes about those who wrote songs with him (even songs he would later say he doesn’t like) but yet the best stuff he writes is later, when he is free of the former band members.
I don’t know. The book leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I wish there were more stories about the processes of making music and less….self defense. The parts of the book that shine are those where Andrew doesn’t seem to be trying to diss the former band members.
I argue it’s best to skip this book in general.
March 23, 2025
Long time fan of Project 86, found them during the Truthless Heroes era and have always looked forward to new releases through the years. This book is full of all the details about band experiences, song meanings, the process of recording and making music videos, touring and tons of very specific details. There were chapters I literally could not put this down. Love the book and I’ll continue listening to my favorite songs from these guys forever. My kids are even listening now. If you’ve ever been a fan of P86, this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews