BOOK REVIEW: 'The Last Mad Surge of Youth' Mark Hodkinson out now on Pomona

Originally posted June 4 2009:

The bitter world of the British music industry is brought to life brilliantly in Hodkinson's depiction of the fictional, uber famous punk-rock star John Barrett.An extraordinarily powerful imagination has created a loveable, yet deeply troubled lead character, contained within a tale that is nigh on impossible to put down - as all good stories should be.

Do not however expect the usual rock clichés or platitudes. This story is not simply about the trappings that come with a music celebrity lifestyle. Yes, there is plenty of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, but there is a lot more going on in the life of Barrett than he wants to admit to himself, let alone any one else.

The story switches constantly between the 1980s, focusing on the teenage trials and tribulations of Barrett and his soon-to-be band mates, and the present day where we see, first hand, the consequences of two decades of alcohol abuse on Barrett as he tries to deal with his COPS (Cult Of Personality Syndrome - see Living Color's 1988 music video below too) and a spectacular fall from grace in the full glare of the media spotlight.

The crisis comes whilst trying to get his personal and professional life back on track and reconcile a relationship with an old friend (and former band mate) Dave Carey. Whilst it deals with some hard hitting issues, this book is not the 'depressathon' you may be expecting. The tale is littered with laugh-out-loud funny moments and the structural engineering of the story (no chapters and the constant switching of time and place between the past and present) makes for a thrilling read that it is as fast paced as it is addictive.

5 / 5

Zozima Read

BOOK REVIEW: 'JUVENES' the Joy Division Photographs of Kevin Cummins' out now on To Hell With Publishing

Originally Published 8 Feb 2008:
Photographer Kevin Cummins' was with Joy Division from the start and began photographing the band when they were known as Warsaw in 1977.

Sadly Ian Curtis died three years later in 1980 but his daughter Natalie remembered the profound effect Kevins photographs had on her as a child; "Even though I must have only been about three years old, I can still remember the first time I saw Kevin Cummins’ photographs of Joy Division. Even as a small child I was aware of the band and knew that my father was the singer, but seeing the black and white prints spread out across the carpet brought tangibility. They really did exist!"

The book showcases many previously unseen images as well as Cummins’ iconic pictures of the band. It also contains specially commissioned personal essays by Natalie Curtis, Ian Rankin, Cath Carroll, David Peace, Matthew Higgs, Nick Lezard Alan Hempsall and Pat Nevin, JUVENES is a brooding investigation into the intangible quality that makes Joy Division one of the most loved and respected English bands still to this day.
You can see we've shown some images from JUVENES, the skill and craft of Cummins' is undeniable in the capture of what appears to be a deep in thought melancholy Curtis (left) and the band on a bridge (above).

If you would like to purchase the book it's available now in limited edition lettered and numbered copies priced at £500 and £200 respectively so you might need to raid the piggy bank. Visit To Hell With Publishing to buy.