The Rejects: An Alternative History of Popular Music

"Very readable . . . the history of the late 20th century empire music business," says Bret Easton Ellis, and it's easy to see why. Imagine you've finally made it. You and your mates have hit the big time in music, and you're set to be a star. But then, just as suddenly, it's all over. Your best friends don't want you around anymore, and you're on the outside looking in. Maybe they're fed up with your bad habits, perhaps they think you're not up to scratch, or they sense you just don't want it as much as they do. Whatever the reason, you're a reject. So, what on earth do you do next?

The Rejects takes an intimate and thoughtful look at those who've been booted out of bands, exploring their experiences and what happened afterwards. The book features a fascinating cast of characters: a musician rejected by both Nirvana and Soundgarden who went on to become a decorated special forces soldier; Britpoppers who spiralled into addiction before reinventing themselves as novelists and missionaries; the chilling tale of Guns N' Roses' original drummer; band leaders who were masters of rejection themselves; self-destructive rappers; troubled hard rock bassists; and girl-band burnouts.

Written by an author with two decades of experience in the music industry, The Rejects offers a sympathetic study of some of music's most compelling figures and what transpires when the dream abruptly ends. The result is a gripping alternative history of popular music.