Nine Parts Water, One Part Sand: Kim Salmon and the Formula for Grunge

by Douglas Galbraith

This book follows Australian musician Kim Salmon, from bands The Scientists, Surrealists and Beasts of Bourbon, from childhood in Perth through his many bands, albums, tours, family upheavals, triumphs and disappointments and examines the characters of the music business he collaborates with along the way.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2019

Reviews

[Woody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title made me think it might be a non stop “sell” on the Scientists inventing grunge but it wasn’t. I liked the way the author inserted some of his own personal life in between giving a very strong voice to Kim. It’s unique in that it’s part biography, intimate enough to be memoir and contains so many interviews it had an oral history feel. Kims discography is so dense, it was great listening to all the records as the timeline passed. The ultimate Oz rock n roll conceptualist and as prolific as they come. Although half of it is set elsewhere - the reader gets a sense of how Melbourne became the place to be for the whole independent scene from the 90s onwards.

[Mike Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story of an amazing australian artiste and living legend

[Peter Duggan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a longtime Salmon/Scientists/Beasts/Surrealists etc fan, what can I say? The book itself is interesting enough, but the GLARING errors within bring it down.

Here are but some I can recall off the top of my head:

David McCombe
Roland Howard (twice and in the same paragraph as above)
Alex Chiltern
Randolph V - RANDOLPH FUCKING V!
Desmond Decker
John Spenser
JP Shiloe
Bakers Arm Hotel (ARMS, and not actually in Fitzroy).

Jesus. Wept.

I realise the author is a first time writer, but at least have enough respect to get peeps names correct. I’m not sure what went wrong in the editing process, or if it speaks to the quality of the editors at Melbourne Books? MB published Dolores San Miguel’s excellent book about the Ballroom and I don’t remember it suffering the same humiliations.

I’ve read some frustrating books in my time, but I’ve never wanted to hurl one across the room quite as much as this.

A very generous ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a first time writer, this is a mighty effort, and a really fantastic primer into the hidtory of Australian Underground rock. I had trouble with the first 30 pages, the style of writing was a bit naive and sentimental, loke most Ozzie writers, unfortunately, but as the writer got more into Salmons career, and describing the rock scenes in Perth, Sydney, London and Melbourne during the the 80s, 90s and 00s it got more compelling and interesting. Salmon is one of the true survivors of Ozzie underground rock, with many or his peers dying early due to heroin and grog related illnesses. Salmon still treads the earth intact and as essential as ever, he may not have got the commercial success as some of his peers, it’s interesting to note that in the 80s the Scientists were probably as popular as the Birthday Party, or even more so as they had a stronger following in the USA, something they werent able to adequately capitalise on due to ‘industry mismanagement’ (95% ALWAYS the case!). Recent triumphant tours seem to have balanced the ledger. But if you are a fan of challenging and exciting Australian music, or left field musoc in general, this bio is essential.

[Martin Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rock musician biography, 'Nine parts water, One part sand' by Douglas Galbraith is worth a quick scan but not a captivating story compared to other books in this genre. Meaning one expected by the more informed readers. The biographical tale is a glossy retelling of a story that sounds quite well scripted by the subject, alternative Australian rock musician Kim Salmon.
The book passed by the editorial desk with so many errors that it is almost disrespectful when it is for sale. Galbraith is a first-time author and should employ a professional editor for any future releases. In the end, diehard fans will buy all leftovers and even the blank pages for their collection. I am sure glued down fans in Australia will love the fable of the invention of grunge.

[Alana Hendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally finished it after taking a break. I lost interest after a few days when I first started reading the biography early this year. It's just an annoying read because the publication has so many errors. I was also fact-checking and listening to songs on YouTube to familiarize myself with the sounds described. Some of the music is not as clever or unique as described to pass off as purposefully low-fi. Too much congratulatory style writing here with no independent opinion shining through.
Unquestioning fans will love the stories and find the book satisfying.

[Jacque Mcgill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked that the author wrote this as his own story, and that it is acknowledged at the very beginning of the book. Thought he did a good job being factual with his own research and simultaneously telling an emotionally resonating story.

anything from the Australian music underground deserves to be preserved and documented like this

[Brad Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent piece of music history!

[Darren Rathbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true music legend.

A great book about the life of one of Australia’s greatest music artist. As a fan for years, it’s great to get some of the stories behind the songs.