In this episode of Rock is Lit, I’m thrilled to welcome novelist, playwright, visual artist, and songwriter Jeff Jackson, author of the novel 'Destroy All Monsters: The Last Rock Novel', which centers around the killing of bands as they perform on stage by members of their own audience. Later, Nathan D. Duvall, host of the Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM, joins the podcast to talk about real-world examples when this kind of violence has erupted at live shows. 

Highlights:

Jeff and I talk about some amazing musicians/bands, including Wire, The Raincoats, Throbbing Gristle, Dog Faced Hermans, Destroyer, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, Suede, The Smiths, Johnny Ace, Fugazi, The Beatles, Pavement, and Robert Johnson.

Jeff and I discuss what makes a good rock novel and list some examples, including 'Paint It Black' by Janet Fitch, 'Black Card' by Chris L. Terry, 'The Ruins' by Mat Osman, and my own rock novel 'Searching for Jimmy Page'. 

Additional topics Jeff and I cover include the style and narrative of Jeff’s book 'Destroy All Monsters: The Last Rock Novel'; the link between violence and music; fandom and obsession; the primal nature of music; mythology surrounding certain musicians; the diminishing power of music in the culture; Jeff’s band Julian Calendar.

For more examples of Jeff's favorite rock novels and for a bonus interview with Jeff about Julian Calendar's political songs, bop on over to the Rock is Lit Vault.

Nathan and I talk about real-world historical precedent for the fictional premise of Jeff’s novel, fans attacking musicians as they perform on stage, and give some examples, including the murder of Dimebag Darrell of Pantera and Damagebag.

Songs played during the episode in order of appearance:

Contacts:

Jeff Jackson’s website, http://deathofliterature.com/

Jeff Jackson Instagram, @deathofliterature

Jeff Jackson Twitter, @DeathofLit

Julian Calendar at Bandcamp, https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/

My review of 'Destroy All Monsters' in 'North Carolina Literary Review'

Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show, https://www.ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/

Nathan D. Duvall Facebook, @nathan.duvall1

Christy Alexander Hallberg website, christyalexanderhallberg.com

Christy Alexander Hallberg Instagram, @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg Twitter, @ChristyHallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/christyhallberg

Rock is Lit Vault

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