Powder - Softcover

Sampson, Kevin

3.51

516 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099289962 ISBN 13: 9780099289968

Publisher: Vintage, 2000

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Keva McCluskey craves success. Other bands are making it big and now his worst enemy is on MTV. Without being recognised among the great songwriters of our time, Keva feels he cannot confront his horrific past. That's why he formed the Grams.

James Love wants all the sex, cocaine and groupies that fame can bring him. That's why he joined the Grams.

Guy de Burnet wants to sell records the ethical way. That's why he formed a record label which prizes morality as highly as platinum discs. When he signs the Grams, it can only end in tears.

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Review:

Keva McCluskey, lead singer of Liverpool band The Grams, is convulsed with jealousy when their inferior rivals Sensira hit the headlines. But a fortuitous meeting with society Trustafarian Guy de Burret boots the unsuspecting Grams straight into the harsh limelight. The band's camaraderie is rent asunder, as a bewildering host of journalists, music moguls and parasites works its sinister magic. The Grams have to fight to save their minds, their bodies and their friendship. They win, lose and ultimately, win again in this bacchanalian tale of sex, drugs. And rock'n'roll.

Powder describes a world riddled with falsehoods in an entirely truthful voice. Sampson knows the business inside out, and the book teems with the sort of detail few music lovers could conceive of. Ordinary lads turned rock gods acquire some laughable foibles, and Sampson draws his characters, and their picaresque adventures, with laugh-out-loud wit and often moving warmth. (Keva's worst fear is turning 30, while drummer Beano only wants a nice girl to cook him stew). This is a breathless, adrenaline-fired tale-- whether you are a vinyl junkie or watch the pop world in fascinated horror, you will find Powder as bewitching as the world it depicts. --Matthew Baylis

Review:

"A code-red book... Drop what you're reading and read this immediately... A rip-snorting, rollicking ride from obscurity to rock 'n' roll debauchery and through the other side." (Alex James, Blur)

"Brilliant, funny, sharply-observed... The airport-busting novel of the summer" (Loaded)

"Powder is more essential to your well-being than 97 percent of the albums that'll come out this year." (Melody Maker)

"A pacey and hilarious catalogue of vanity, insecurities, bonhomie and belligerence... A portrait of the contemporary music industry that is almost uncanny in its accuracy." (Independent)

"Tells it like it is - Sampson is never better than when revelling in the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll - All young bands should be made to read Powder; if it doesn't put them off, nothing will" (The Times)

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