I just read where the classic punk rock oral history, “Please Kill Me,” celebrated its 23rd anniversary last month. This is one of my favorite books and even if you’re not into punk rock, it’s an entertaining read and a roller coaster ride of a book.
Below are a half a dozen links to online articles about “Please Kill Me” and I’ve also included links to a two-part interview I did with author Legs McNeil from 1996 in New York City.
Then there’s the MBIP Coming Attractions for next week.
Story of Punk: More the Ugly Gossip Than the Music’s Impact - This is the original NY Times review of the book by Jon Pareles and I find it somewhat passive-aggressive. I think Mr. Pareles was a tad bit jealous that he didn’t write this book!
Punk’s not dead: Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain and ‘Please Kill Me’ - An interview in the Los Angeles Times with authors Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil. Gillian makes the point that people were so open and honest with them because most of them thought the book would never be published. Quite an interesting and valid point!
‘Please Kill Me,’ 20 Years Later - Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain reflect on the book 20 years later.
Interview: Legs McNeil & Gillian McCain on Please Kill Me & More - An interview from 2016 that coincided with the end of their tour promoting the 20th anniversary edition of “Please Kill Me.”
Please Kill Me’s Punk Historians Turn Their Attention To L.A. In The Late ’60s - In this interview in the L.A. Weekly, Legs and Gillian not only talk about “Please Kill Me,” they also discuss the new book they’re working on, “Sixty-Nine, An Oral History.” The interview took place in 2015 and they said they hoped to have the new book done in two years. Whoops, missed that deadline!
Please Kill Me! Interview With Legs McNeil - This is a good interview and I enjoyed reading his thoughts about John Holmstrom, who was the co-founder of the magazine, Punk, which was the start of both of their careers. I’m happy that I got to know both of them when I was living in New York City.
Bonus fishwrap Interview with Legs McNeil!
Legs McNeil was one of the first people I met when I moved to New York City. Back then he was the editor of a short-lived magazine called Nerve and I had written a couple of stories for the magazine. After “Please Kill Me” came out, I interviewed both Legs and co-author Gillian McCain for an oral history of how “Please Kill Me” came to be.
Here’s a link to the first part of my interview with Legs McNeil and here’s a link to the second part.
Here’s what’s happening on MBIP next week!
Monday: Michael’s Italian Feast opened up an East Peoria location last week, so I went and visited the new spot last night for a Saturday night dinner with my friends John and De Ingles from Smily Graphix.
Tuesday: We continue the 13 month chicken tour with a Sunday (tonight) stop at Jim’s Bistro. Jim’s has a fried chicken special on Sunday night that is unbelievable. You’ll see what I mean on Tuesday.
Wednesday: I’m starting a new series Wednesday here on MBIP and it’s an MBIP Top Five list where I go somewhere and have the owner of a business display their top five favorite things in their place of business. We’re starting off at one of my favorite places in town, Acme Comics.
Thursday and Friday will be quickety-blickety blogs as I continue to rehearse for the upcoming Marty Monologues show.
Saturday: We’ll feature another sandwich in the new Sandwiches of Peoria series.
Okay, I have to start getting all this stuff ready now, you have a fabulous Sunday and we’ll see you all tomorrow!
Related Posts: Sunday Links: The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Easy Rider” and The 50th Anniversary of Woodstock.