Book Synopsis
TEST, TEST 1, 2, 1, 2... TEST, TESTING 1, 2, 1, 2… GOOD?
The last / first thing you hear at a show before the madness starts. You perk up. You start to focus. The possibilities are endless. This could be the best show you ever see. Or the worst. Seriously, at that precise second, who fucking knows? And who fucking cares? It is not an introduction, it’s a fucking tribal call to gather and just let it wash over you. Books have introductions. I’m writing it, and you are reading it right now. This is not a normal book. It is a fucking rock show. And you are holding it because you came to the show to see what happens. You also now own the coolest tour shirt ever. Not kidding. This is that.
This is a hard road you are about to go on. Matthew is a golden fucking tour guide, but, it is rough. And you know what? Good. If it were fucking easy everyone would do it. No punches pulled here. Truth and life are ugly. And beautiful. You know that. You do not have to travel the same path to feel like you know his journey. Let’s face it, it would probably kill you. It almost killed him. Six times. By the way, Matthew, not Matt. That’s important. Probably not to him, but to all of us. He has that gravitas about him. He earned it. He’s a survivor. More than that, he has come through the life and on the other side, he’s smarter, stronger and has that great dark sense of humor mixed with dread all survivors have. Bunch of us sitting around casually sharing war stories and laughing at near death stuff must be an intimidating group to try to hang out with. So, we write this shit down. Life lessons for the price of a download or a book or a CD. Believe me, better this way. In the rooms we go to, the idea of a life spent is like this….blessed not to have much sorrow and pain, or blessed to be flooded with sorrow and pain. Same coin, two sides. Those of us that have been blessed with strife and darkness and get through to the light want to let you know, it’s all the fucking same. Just be grateful. And here we are. About to see a fucking mega rock show of epic strife and woe. And it is fucking glorious.
Matthew and I have been lucky enough to run away with the circus and see the world. Not kidding. I’m older, saw different things. But not really. Crazy shit at warp speed really does make for an interesting life. Until the bill comes due. But, we cashed the checks a long time ago, so no bitching now. Dark humor gets us through the rest. And you find it here. I’m not a musician. Security, roadcrew, tour manager, babysitter to the stars. That is my resume. Matthew and I share the bond of dark humor, punk rock outlook and fuck you determination. That comes through here. I’m actually jealous of everyone reading this for the first time. It’s that big a deal.
I wrote a book. Told stories in bars, opened for bands telling stories and reading from that book. Crazy punk as fuck shit to happen to anyone. I have an amazing circle. Industrial show opener gigs, punk rock festival slots. opening for Pigface twenty fifth reunion show. All just more than I deserve. Matthew sent me the book and asked me to write this. I hope everyone understands that this is the hugest honor one writer can give another. We talked and realized his writing needs to be treated like his music. It’s his story. All of it. Whether it’s this book, a Mary’s Window or Joy Thieves release, all the story of a life lived on the edge, full ups and downs. The rock and roll Tilt a Whirl is not for the faint of heart. Thank God he’s here to tell it.
The story of the kid most people look away from is the one we need to know. Here you go. Curtain pulled back, this is your backstage pass to Hell and back. You have no fucking idea what is about to happen……
CHECK , CHECK, 1, 2… TEST, TESTING… 1, 2… GOOD?
Steve Silver
Thank you for the foreword, Steve…
Here is my preface…
1,2,FUCK YOU!