The Fallen: Life In and Out of Britain's Most Insane Group

Have you ever found yourself summarily removed from a bus in the depths of a Swedish forest, or unexpectedly called upon to play at one of the UK's largest music festivals with newly acquainted bandmates who are, somewhat alarmingly, covered in blood? If these scenarios resonate, it's highly probable you've experienced life within the tumultuous world of The Fall. Dave Simpson, a seasoned music journalist and a devoted fan of the band since 1979, embarked on an ambitious and, at times, chaotic mission: to meticulously track down every single musician who has ever graced the ranks of Britain's most notoriously erratic and brilliant group.

His journey, spanning years of dedication, delves deep into the shifting cultural landscape of Britain, uncovering a myriad of tales that range from the deeply unsettling to the utterly hilarious. Simpson’s pursuit of "The Fallen" – as he dubs the band's numerous former members – reveals stories of creative genius battling with sheer madness, of unwavering loyalty clashing with bewildering dismissals, and of the unique challenges faced by those who stepped into the orbit of The Fall's enigmatic frontman, Mark E. Smith.

What emerges is not just a collection of fascinating anecdotes about life on the road with one of the country's most intense bands, but also a profound, if indirect, biography of Mark E. Smith himself. Simpson’s research paints a picture of a man who managed his group with an almost autocratic hand, viewing band members as interchangeable parts in his singular artistic vision, much like a football manager rotating his squad. The book showcases how this philosophy of "creative tension," as Smith often termed it, led to an astonishingly high turnover of musicians — some staying for years, others for mere hours.

Simpson's quest, however, wasn't without its personal cost. He recounts how his immersive dive into the labyrinthine history of The Fall, and his attempts to connect with the often elusive ex-members scattered across the globe, wreaked considerable havoc on his own life. Yet, through these personal sacrifices, he offers a truly unique and intimate insight into the workings of a band that defied convention for over four decades. Featuring a wealth of new interviews, The Fallen is an essential read for The Fall's devoted fanbase, which famously included the late, great John Peel, and indeed for anyone curious about the post-punk cultural landscape of Britain and the compelling, often perplexing, nature of artistic dedication.

"Riveting stuff ****" ― Q magazine

"Three decades of personal stories, of social change, shifting cultural landscapes and musical minimum wage slavery, seen through the eyes of a random collection of people whose only constant is that at some point, for some reason, they were members of The Fall. A Canterbury Tales for the MP3 generation." ― Stewart Lee

"A tremendous read. I warmly recommend it." -- Stuart Maconie ― Radio 2

"A great book - a fucking amazingly great book . . . a simple but excellent concept . . . Absolutely brilliant. It has made me race back to all 554 Fall songs and put them on repeat." ― Everett True

"The best book yet on a band that have evolved into a cross between a large Victorian family and a rehab unit." ― The Times

"I read The Fallen for the second time. Wow. It just does your head in. It's one of the best rock or music books i've ever read. I recommend it without hesitation. It is a monster" -- HENRY ROLLINS

"A right riveting read." -- Simon Reynolds ― Blissblog

"I hate that f***ing t**t! I just f***ing burned it!" -- Mark E. Smith

"Brilliant and bloody awkward. Just like its subjects." ― The Word

"A British, provincial take on Apocalypse Now! where Kurtz (Smith) is encountered by Capt. Willard (Simpson) before the latter gets on the boat" -- John Doran ― The Quietus