I Am the Voice Left from Drinking

by James Freud

Excessive, outrageous, hilarious - the tell-all bio from one of the princes of 80s pop. I Am the Voice Left from Drinking is the no-holds-barred, brutally honest journey of an artist who made it from the suburbs to the top of the pop music charts, graced the covers of every music mag, hosted tV shows, lived the rock'n'roll dream and is still alive (barely) to talk about it. After forming his first band as a teenager with Sean Kelly, James Freud found big fame a few years later when they teamed up again in the Models, one of the most memorable Australian bands of the 1980s. For the best part of ten years James toured the world, hanging out with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Robert Mapplethorpe, Elvis Costello and Lady Di, all the while cranking out hits such as 'I Hear Motion', 'Barbados' and 'Out of Mind, Out of Sight'. this is a who's who of the entertainment industry; a funny, shocking tale of a man who has seen a lot and wants to tell his story. James is living proof that there is life after rock, that not every former music icon ends up in rehab or the funny farm, and that if they're actually still alive they've usually got some pretty interesting things to say! Excessive, outrageous, hilarious - the tell-all bio from one of the princes of 80s pop. I Am the Voice Left from Drinking is the no-holds-barred, brutally honest journey of an artist who made it from the suburbs to the top of the pop music charts, graced the covers of every music mag, hosted tV shows, lived the rock'n'roll dream and is still alive (barely) to talk about it. After forming his first band as a teenager with Sean Kelly, James Freud found big fame a few years later when they teamed up again in the Models, one of the most memorable Australian bands of the 1980s. For the best part of ten years James toured the world, hanging out with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Robert Mapplethorpe, Elvis Costello and Lady Di, all the while cranking out hits such as 'I Hear Motion', 'Barbados' and 'Out of Mind, Out of Sight'. this is a who's who of the entertainment industry; a funny, shocking tale of a man who has seen a lot and wants to tell his story. James is living proof that there is life after rock, that not every former music icon ends up in rehab or the funny farm, and that if they're actually still alive they've usually got some pretty interesting things to say!

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Australia

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freud comes off as a charming bastard, like so many junkies, but his tale of mishaps and hits during the eighties is a great story, both touching and hilarious. Find 'I am the voice left from Rehab' to get to full 'what happened next'.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very easy to read, his writing style is humorous and interesting. I was rather shocked about his extensive substance abuse, he was into more than I expected from one person, everything. I was aware that musicians in this country were not loaded in this era, but wasn't expecting that they lived like paupers all of the time. Rather interesting stories, a lot of names come out in this story. I wasn't aware of his close friendship with Michael Hutchence or Mikey as he liked to call him. Sad since his suicide. Will need to read the next book.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Honestly I wasn't a huge fan, though of course growing up in 80's Australia, I know all the hits and I liked a few of them.
I knew nothing about James Freud going into this. I remember he died a few years back, I didn't realise it was a suicide. (None of this is addressed in the book, it ends on a quite hopeful note. It was sad to look him up on google after reading this and find out what actually happened).
Mostly I read it because I like true stories and it seemed he would have had an interesting life, and of course it was relatable for me having grown up hearing those songs.
The writing style isn't the best I ever read, but Its enjoyable. The tone is kind of jokey and not taking himself seriously. There's some familiar names popping up in the story too which was fun to read about. The drug stuff is pretty alarming. It seems like more than a few close calls and there s the familiar frustration with reading about people who are talented and have plenty going for them that still feel the need to take serious risks with their life for kicks. I don't get it. Maybe that's why I am drawn to read about people with such issues.
Decent book, I understand there is a sequel which I also wouldn't mind reading.

[Rob Lennox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed journey of a suburban Aussie kid to popstar and beyond. It is meticulously honest and candid following a rollercoaster ride through the Australian music industry, or lack thereof. The eternal search for overseas approval that is felt by most or all of Australian creatives is described in a chaotic narrative. The appearance of self medication on one or more crutches is apparent throughout, relatable for anyone who has brushed such shoulders. The problems with recording, media, live touring some of which describe 20th century technology, a lot of which is taken for granted in the present day. A mandatory cautionary tale for anyone attempting to make a career from music down under.

[Jenny McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous

Truthful warts and all shows how quick life can get out of control Everything thing looks normal while watching a band but in the end they are not invincible My sister would love this book as much as she loves James xx

[Elisa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it was great to hear about the rock and roll lifestyle of the 80s Australian rock star.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only it ended there. RIP James.

[Andrea Holder]

Exceptional.

[Mjm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an entertaining memoir of a life in the pop/rock business and it's associated pitfalls ,particularly alcohol abuse. There are plenty of self deprecating anecdotes , especially concering Freuds brief time as a protege of Gary Numan in 1980.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book on the Australian music industry and how not all musicians are rich, not until you recoop!

[Hugh Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. James Freud comes across as a very likeable sort of chancer in this self deprecating memoir and rather funny memoir

[Warrnambool Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.