The Go-Betweens

by David Nichols

The Go-Betweens recorded six albums that are among the finest work of the 1980s, earning them a reputation as the ultimate cult band and the lasting esteem of their peers, from R.E.M. to Sleater-Kinney. In 2000 they returned to making records—and received the best reviews of their career. David Nichols relates their story with wit and verve, and since the Go-Betweens had personalities as well as talent, their biography is compelling reading, not just for committed fans but for anyone interested in the current music scene.
"I loved this book," raved Jonathan Lethem. "How elegant that the dark-horse band lavished with obsessive and loving attention by David Nichols should be the one whose weird and lovely depths can truly sustain and reward it the life-altering Go-Betweens."

Genres: Music

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

David Nichols is Associate Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He previously worked as features editor of the Australian edition of Smash Hits, and his music writing has appeared in a wide range of periodicals in the USA, Great Britain, and Australia.

Reviews

[Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting look at the group I believe to be the greatest band to come out of Australia. While Nichols lets readers in on some of the internal workings of the band (like the fact that Grant McLennan and drummer Lindy Morrison hated each other) he relies too much on transcripts of interviews and interjects himself by judging individual songs and works (while he does encourage the reader to read this work to the music of the Go-Betweens, a newcomer might have their view of certain songs and albums peppered by Nichols personal views.) In addition, this book suffers by having been written before the two mainstays of the band, McLennan and Robert Forster, reformed the band in 2000 and released three more records before McLennan's sudden death in 2006. Still this book is a must for fans of the Go-Betweens and indiepop in general.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine bio of this amazing, underappreciated band by an Aussie music insider who knew and loved the group from the early days. Pulls only a few punches in dissecting the personality conflicts that broke up the band in the late '80s, and does a nice job of recounting their 2000 and beyond comeback. An updated and expanded edition in the wake of the death of co-founding Go-Between Grant McLennan would seem in order.

[Miss Gordon]

Enjoying it so far, seems almost like a British prequel of 'Catcher in the Rye'...

[James Loftus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this band many times. A truly great great band. Wrote the best song about Brisbane with all sorts of fascinating references, the song is, Streets Of Your Town. Rest In Peace, Grant!

[Darragh Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting profile of one of my favourite bands.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on one of the finest bands to come out of Australia to wet and miserable London. Some great info about the politics around the late 70's in Oz as well.