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Slacker: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created
HAVE I GOT A LITTLE STORY FOR YOU...
The year was 1984. I was eleven years old and popular music was in a state of confusion. Along with songs by artists I liked such as Van Halen, Prince, Quiet Riot, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, and The Police, Top 40 radio constantly played songs from bands or artists that didn't quite do it for me. Apologies to Kenny Loggins, Phil Collins, Bananarama, Wang Chung, and Ray Parker Jr.
Due to my parents' divorce and telling my mom that I was so unhappy that I no longer wanted to live, I was now a couple of years into therapy. It was around this time that I really began to find solace in music. The mid- to late 80s gave me hope. Rap, punk rock, and alternative music befriended me at a time when I needed them the most.
A mixtape from 1989, courtesy of a high school friend, opened my soul to the music that would change my life forever - the gritty sound of grunge.
I know that this experience is not unique to me or my life. History has shown that millions of Gen X kids who were going through some heavy times in the late 80s and early 90s found comfort in the grunge and alternative music and culture that came first from Seattle, then the world.
Music can save lives; we are proof of that. This book is for the SLACKER in all of us.
SLACKER takes a deep dive into the early seedlings of grunge and alternative music (early 80s in Seattle), year by year, through 1999. In addition to my own experiences, I've included interviews with musicians, writers, promoters, music industry executives, psychologists, sociologists, and more who were there when grunge broke and who have helped shape the culture of this music over the last three decades.
The year was 1984. I was eleven years old and popular music was in a state of confusion. Along with songs by artists I liked such as Van Halen, Prince, Quiet Riot, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, and The Police, Top 40 radio constantly played songs from bands or artists that didn't quite do it for me. Apologies to Kenny Loggins, Phil Collins, Bananarama, Wang Chung, and Ray Parker Jr.
Due to my parents' divorce and telling my mom that I was so unhappy that I no longer wanted to live, I was now a couple of years into therapy. It was around this time that I really began to find solace in music. The mid- to late 80s gave me hope. Rap, punk rock, and alternative music befriended me at a time when I needed them the most.
A mixtape from 1989, courtesy of a high school friend, opened my soul to the music that would change my life forever - the gritty sound of grunge.
I know that this experience is not unique to me or my life. History has shown that millions of Gen X kids who were going through some heavy times in the late 80s and early 90s found comfort in the grunge and alternative music and culture that came first from Seattle, then the world.
Music can save lives; we are proof of that. This book is for the SLACKER in all of us.
SLACKER takes a deep dive into the early seedlings of grunge and alternative music (early 80s in Seattle), year by year, through 1999. In addition to my own experiences, I've included interviews with musicians, writers, promoters, music industry executives, psychologists, sociologists, and more who were there when grunge broke and who have helped shape the culture of this music over the last three decades.
234 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2025
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Rob Janicke
1 bookRob Janicke is the author of Slacker - 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created (Inspired By You Books).
Rob has been writing about music for over 20 years. During that time he's written countless articles, conducted interviews, and written concert and festival reviews for various outlets.
Rob has been interviewed and quoted about music on podcasts, and several publications including Inc., Big Takeover, Entrepreneur, SI Live, and more.
Although he never stopped writing, Rob expanded his music coverage by hosting a radio show for three years, started a record label (releasing both digital and vinyl music), co-hosted a podcast, and created a multimedia website, Generation Riff.
In addition, Rob is a writer and editor for one of the largest and most popular music publications (over 1 million monthly views), on Medium, The Riff.
You can find his work at robjanicke.com, generationriff.com as well as on The Riff, X, FB, and IG.
Rob has been writing about music for over 20 years. During that time he's written countless articles, conducted interviews, and written concert and festival reviews for various outlets.
Rob has been interviewed and quoted about music on podcasts, and several publications including Inc., Big Takeover, Entrepreneur, SI Live, and more.
Although he never stopped writing, Rob expanded his music coverage by hosting a radio show for three years, started a record label (releasing both digital and vinyl music), co-hosted a podcast, and created a multimedia website, Generation Riff.
In addition, Rob is a writer and editor for one of the largest and most popular music publications (over 1 million monthly views), on Medium, The Riff.
You can find his work at robjanicke.com, generationriff.com as well as on The Riff, X, FB, and IG.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 12, 2025
I didn’t realize it until I started the book, but I’m the same age as the author. Entered college the same year, and found similar bands in similar ways. This read was both enlightening and nostalgic.
February 20, 2025
If you’re a Gen X kid who lived through and experienced the grunge era of music, this book brings you right back to those days when bands such as Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam ruled the radio and MTV airwaves. Rob Janicke balances personal experiences with the rise and fall of the grunge movement while using memorable moments in history as reference points. A well-researched and entertaining read for music fans of all ages. And the inclusion of a Spotify playlist as a soundtrack while reading was a cool touch. 🤘🏻
February 28, 2025
A book simply recapping the music & history of these years would've made for an entertaining enough read. Slacker's superpower lies in the way that the author weaves his personal experience into the narrative. As a fellow GenXer, I saw a lot of myself reflected back in the pages, and I am sure others will as well.
I don't like getting old, but I feel fortunate to have experienced it all firsthand. For younger readers, Slacker will help them understand why so many of us hold this era so dear.
I don't like getting old, but I feel fortunate to have experienced it all firsthand. For younger readers, Slacker will help them understand why so many of us hold this era so dear.
January 27, 2025
solid first effort here..
A fun trip back to the 90s... very nostalgic for me... and the author conveys a very personal touch to his style that make it digestible and relatable read. Well worth your time
A fun trip back to the 90s... very nostalgic for me... and the author conveys a very personal touch to his style that make it digestible and relatable read. Well worth your time
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews