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Sweat
"Joe Bonomo has written a fine a book not only about a band or times passed, but also about the rare virtue of endurance."
-Nick Tosches, author of The Jerry Lee Lewis Story
May of 2006 marked the Fleshtones' 30th anniversary as the only band from the mid-70s New York City Punk/New Wave scene that hasn't had an inactive year. In that time they've amassed an incredible history-they shared a practice space with the Cramps in the 70s, they shared a label (IRS) with R.E.M. in the 80s, and the likes of Steve Albini and Peter Buck have produced them. They've opened for James Brown and Chuck Berry, played at the same summer festivals as Iggy Pop. They've thrilled audiences from coast to coast and have a hundred and one connections to some of the biggest names in rock & roll history, and yet you've probably never heard of them.
Until now.
Sweat is not the typical rock & roll story of stars, stacks of money, or wild, unbridled triumphs; it's the story of a band that has reached the threshold of fame many times over, but never quite made it; a band that contributed to numerous sea changes in the New York City music scene, but unlike many of the bands around them, didn't come out the other side famous or drenched in cool. Sweat is a bare-knuckled, compelling account of road-paving rock & roll played in the real world, where success measured over the long haul is redefined each and every hard-won morning and where patience, vision and determination do not always lead to prosperity. Join author Joe Bonomo as he guides you through the peaks and valleys of the Fleshtones' impressive career, and enjoy an insider's view of three decades in New York City's music scene along the way.
Featuring interviews with Robert Christgau, Steve Albini, Peter Buck, Barney Hoskyns,New York Doll manager Marty Thau, CBGB owner Hilly Kristal and more, Sweat is more than just the story of a band, it's a rock & roll allegory for anyone who has ever persevered in the face of adversity, and the soul sucking pressure of the status quo, to continue to do what they loved.
-Nick Tosches, author of The Jerry Lee Lewis Story
May of 2006 marked the Fleshtones' 30th anniversary as the only band from the mid-70s New York City Punk/New Wave scene that hasn't had an inactive year. In that time they've amassed an incredible history-they shared a practice space with the Cramps in the 70s, they shared a label (IRS) with R.E.M. in the 80s, and the likes of Steve Albini and Peter Buck have produced them. They've opened for James Brown and Chuck Berry, played at the same summer festivals as Iggy Pop. They've thrilled audiences from coast to coast and have a hundred and one connections to some of the biggest names in rock & roll history, and yet you've probably never heard of them.
Until now.
Sweat is not the typical rock & roll story of stars, stacks of money, or wild, unbridled triumphs; it's the story of a band that has reached the threshold of fame many times over, but never quite made it; a band that contributed to numerous sea changes in the New York City music scene, but unlike many of the bands around them, didn't come out the other side famous or drenched in cool. Sweat is a bare-knuckled, compelling account of road-paving rock & roll played in the real world, where success measured over the long haul is redefined each and every hard-won morning and where patience, vision and determination do not always lead to prosperity. Join author Joe Bonomo as he guides you through the peaks and valleys of the Fleshtones' impressive career, and enjoy an insider's view of three decades in New York City's music scene along the way.
Featuring interviews with Robert Christgau, Steve Albini, Peter Buck, Barney Hoskyns,New York Doll manager Marty Thau, CBGB owner Hilly Kristal and more, Sweat is more than just the story of a band, it's a rock & roll allegory for anyone who has ever persevered in the face of adversity, and the soul sucking pressure of the status quo, to continue to do what they loved.
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
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About the author
Joe Bonomo
73 books29 followersJoe Bonomo's books include Play This Book Loud: Noisy Essays, No Place I Would Rather Be: Roger Angell and a Life In Baseball Writing, Field Recordings from The Inside (essays), AC/DC’s Highway to Hell (33 1/3 Series), Jerry Lee Lewis: Lost and Found, Installations (National Poetry Series), Sweat: The Story of The Fleshtones, America’s Garage Band, and Conversations With Greil Marcus. A five-time "Notable Essays" selection at Best American Essays, he's the Music Columnist at The Normal School and Professor of English at Northern Illinois University.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 14, 2008
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Bonomo's deep knowledge and affection for the group make for an unusually rich band bio. Clearly not the typical rush job to capitalize on a band's chart success, the book follows the Fleshtones from childhood well into middle age. Despite his fondness for the group, Bonomo presents a nuanced and well-rounded portrait that never shirks from the unflattering aspects of the band or the personalities involved. He pulls off a rare tonal feat--presenting the Fleshtones warts and all, he still creates a positive and sympathetic portrait of the band.
Despite my enjoyment, I should also mention that I think the book could have benefitted from some rigorous editing. Bonomo's prose can get a little flabby at times and the book could have used some tightening up at the sentence level.
Sweat is a study in cussedness, of pursuing a passion for nothing more than the enjoyment of the passion itself.
Despite my enjoyment, I should also mention that I think the book could have benefitted from some rigorous editing. Bonomo's prose can get a little flabby at times and the book could have used some tightening up at the sentence level.
Sweat is a study in cussedness, of pursuing a passion for nothing more than the enjoyment of the passion itself.
January 20, 2009
The Fleshtones are true rock & roll footsoldiers. A great band, terribly underrated, they are still working, still a dynamite live band. This excellent book details their "career" , and captures the thrills and hangovers of life in the van.
I saew the Fleshtones in Glasgow in November 83 - and I still think it's the greatest gig I ever saw, an inspirational night. Yes, better than the Ramones, the Clash, better than everyone.
I saew the Fleshtones in Glasgow in November 83 - and I still think it's the greatest gig I ever saw, an inspirational night. Yes, better than the Ramones, the Clash, better than everyone.
October 27, 2015
Well-researched and full of wild stories of drinking and drugging. Fans of the band will like it a lot, I'm sure. If you're not a huge fan (I wasn't very familiar with the band, to be honest) the level of detail can be overwhelming, but it's still an interesting portrait of a band that keeps going, despite never really being step with their times.
January 18, 2010
No need to be familiar with the band's output - I think this might work as Cultural History (first hand account of New York City late 60s to mid 70s) I do still wish (singer) Peter Zaremba would write his own account of this period - his "Disco" anecdotes are both fun and insightful.
January 23, 2013
Totally necessary chronicle of NYC garage-punk history told via the long-running & much-beloved Fleshtones. If you're a major Fleshtones fan (which I'm not) it's probably delicious, but it's also richly detailed enough to be a solid dot-connector for any underground rock history buff.
July 23, 2017
The SUPER ROCK story!
February 13, 2010
great story of a band that won't give and still gives it their all. Ive seen them play to apacked place and to a club with less than ten people. always great.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews