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Gig: The Life and Times of a Rock-Star Fantasist
Hardcover. Signed by author. Light surface wear on jacket. Upper edges and corners, on jacket, are slightly bumped and creased. Spine ends, on jacket and hardcover, are slightly bumped and creased. Page block has some minor marks. Contents are sound, clean, clear. First Edition First Printing
303 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2008
About the author
Simon Armitage
131 books340 followersSimon Armitage, whose The Shout was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, has published ten volumes of poetry and has received numerous honors for his work. He was appointed UK Poet Laureate in 2019
Armitage's poetry collections include Book of Matches (1993) and The Dead Sea Poems (1995). He has written two novels, Little Green Man (2001) and The White Stuff (2004), as well as All Points North (1998), a collection of essays on the north of England. He has produced a dramatised version of Homer's Odyssey and a collection of poetry entitled Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus The Corduroy Kid (which was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize), both of which were published in July 2006. Many of Armitage's poems appear in the AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) GCSE syllabus for English Literature in the United Kingdom. These include "Homecoming", "November", "Kid", "Hitcher", and a selection of poems from Book of Matches, most notably of these "Mother any distance...". His writing is characterised by a dry Yorkshire wit combined with "an accessible, realist style and critical seriousness."
Armitage's poetry collections include Book of Matches (1993) and The Dead Sea Poems (1995). He has written two novels, Little Green Man (2001) and The White Stuff (2004), as well as All Points North (1998), a collection of essays on the north of England. He has produced a dramatised version of Homer's Odyssey and a collection of poetry entitled Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus The Corduroy Kid (which was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize), both of which were published in July 2006. Many of Armitage's poems appear in the AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) GCSE syllabus for English Literature in the United Kingdom. These include "Homecoming", "November", "Kid", "Hitcher", and a selection of poems from Book of Matches, most notably of these "Mother any distance...". His writing is characterised by a dry Yorkshire wit combined with "an accessible, realist style and critical seriousness."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 24, 2011
Armitage really is the Indie renaissance man - effortlessly skimming between the songbirds of Great Britain, the Fall, why Bob Dylan is overrated, professional northern-ness and lyrical balladry. All of this is delivered in an appealing, self deprecating and utterly genuine fashion, as if the man is embarrassed at the fame that has been thrust upon him - he clearly feels he's "done a Bradbury" - you'll need to be a fan of Australian speed skating or to have read the book to know what I mean.
So, although the "dip in and out of this and that" approach has its advantages and perhaps reflects the dallying nature of the poetry profession, it was a little disappointing to come across a book so loosely structured. Call me anal - and you would not be the first - but a good editing job and a wee bit of structure would have worked wonders - hence the volume is relegated to the status of a "loo read" - if superior in comparison to Crap Towns and that book about meerkats.
So, although the "dip in and out of this and that" approach has its advantages and perhaps reflects the dallying nature of the poetry profession, it was a little disappointing to come across a book so loosely structured. Call me anal - and you would not be the first - but a good editing job and a wee bit of structure would have worked wonders - hence the volume is relegated to the status of a "loo read" - if superior in comparison to Crap Towns and that book about meerkats.
January 11, 2009
I first heard of this book at Armitage's second performance at the Latitude festival in Suffolk, the first of which is outlined in one of the shorter chapters of this book.
The majority of writing in Gig: The Life and Times of a Rock-star Fantasist is excellent. Armitage's style is both extremely personal, and yet also universal for everyone who has an interest in music and a vague notion that they would, one day, be performing in front of thousands themselves.
The only time when Armitage's writing is not quite as strong is in the various song lyrics reprinted here. Some are from the film 'Songbirds' Armitage co-wrote for Channel 4, others are from his band The Scaremongers, whose birth story is outlined in one of the final chapters. The trouble with most song lyrics is, when detached from the song in question, tend to lose a lot of their power. That's the nice explanation. Perhaps, instead, Armitage didn't want to waste some of his best poetry in his first prose book. Seeing as he is a poet, that might be both the more likely, and most sensible explanation.
It certainly didn't detract from the quality of the book as a whole, however, which I would recommend to anyone who attends a lot of gigs, and who has, on numerous occasions, wished they had found themselves on the other side of the security barrier.
The majority of writing in Gig: The Life and Times of a Rock-star Fantasist is excellent. Armitage's style is both extremely personal, and yet also universal for everyone who has an interest in music and a vague notion that they would, one day, be performing in front of thousands themselves.
The only time when Armitage's writing is not quite as strong is in the various song lyrics reprinted here. Some are from the film 'Songbirds' Armitage co-wrote for Channel 4, others are from his band The Scaremongers, whose birth story is outlined in one of the final chapters. The trouble with most song lyrics is, when detached from the song in question, tend to lose a lot of their power. That's the nice explanation. Perhaps, instead, Armitage didn't want to waste some of his best poetry in his first prose book. Seeing as he is a poet, that might be both the more likely, and most sensible explanation.
It certainly didn't detract from the quality of the book as a whole, however, which I would recommend to anyone who attends a lot of gigs, and who has, on numerous occasions, wished they had found themselves on the other side of the security barrier.
July 17, 2012
Simon Armitage's book of essays about his life as a poet, his family, but mostly his obsession with the music of his youth. His writing style is deft and smooth, and his dry northern wit creates many hilarious moments. His essay 'The Wedding Present: Holmfirth Picture Dome' stands out for its well-observed description of the structure of a crowd at a typical gig. A must-read for anyone who enjoys independent guitar music from northern England, birds, Iceland, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and contemporary British poetry. Just me then?
March 11, 2015
This is one of those delightful little books that, if you are in the same age group and background as the author (like what I am), will have you dipping in and out of the internet and YouTube and the like to look up all those bands and singers that you want to either listen to again for the first time in 3 decades, or you missed first time around.
I got this book for Christmas (thanks Julian & Linda) and was given the impression that it was all about music and stuff, and then, when I started reading it, I realised that the author has stretched the word Gig to include any public performance of anything and he is, first and foremost, a poet!
Now me and poetry don't really get on that well so it was with great relief that I found out that Simon (the author) is a frustrated indie rock star. Yay! And furthermore at the age of fortysomething he and his friends and family recorded and released several songs. I looked them up on YouTube and they are real songs sung and played by real people. Double Yay!
I mean, it's not that they achieve rock and roll fame and stardom (in fact - he is much more famous for his poems) but it's nice to know that we can do something like this at whatever stage in life we're at. Plus, if all else fails, you can write a book about it. And if all the else of all else fails, you can write reviews of books about it.
And on top of that - this is a really funny and engaging book.
I got this book for Christmas (thanks Julian & Linda) and was given the impression that it was all about music and stuff, and then, when I started reading it, I realised that the author has stretched the word Gig to include any public performance of anything and he is, first and foremost, a poet!
Now me and poetry don't really get on that well so it was with great relief that I found out that Simon (the author) is a frustrated indie rock star. Yay! And furthermore at the age of fortysomething he and his friends and family recorded and released several songs. I looked them up on YouTube and they are real songs sung and played by real people. Double Yay!
I mean, it's not that they achieve rock and roll fame and stardom (in fact - he is much more famous for his poems) but it's nice to know that we can do something like this at whatever stage in life we're at. Plus, if all else fails, you can write a book about it. And if all the else of all else fails, you can write reviews of books about it.
And on top of that - this is a really funny and engaging book.
July 19, 2012
Gig is a travelogue that spends a lot of time near home, and a music book that's not really about music. There's what seems to be poetry, but turns out to be lyrics, stripped of their musical context, but interesting nonetheless. And yet, it still comes across as a natural, honest, and self-effacing account of the gap in Armitage's head between the rock star and the poet.
Armitage appears to think and write with an ease and economy that belies the subtle depth behind the words. Gig is, at times, nothing more than throwaway and playful, and in those times is at its sharpest and funniest.
Read it if you want to know why you shouldn't bother with Dylan. Or if you want to know why actually Dylan might not be so bad after all. Or if you are thinking of forming a band, but need naming inspiration.
Or if you just like a bit of this, and a bit of that. Some recollections of gigs, readings, records and growing up.
Armitage appears to think and write with an ease and economy that belies the subtle depth behind the words. Gig is, at times, nothing more than throwaway and playful, and in those times is at its sharpest and funniest.
Read it if you want to know why you shouldn't bother with Dylan. Or if you want to know why actually Dylan might not be so bad after all. Or if you are thinking of forming a band, but need naming inspiration.
Or if you just like a bit of this, and a bit of that. Some recollections of gigs, readings, records and growing up.
May 30, 2016
I loved this load of autobiographical and fairly loosely themed blather. Simon Armitage is a contemporary so I could just about grasp enough of the musical references to keep up. I'm not familiar enough to be able to embrace it fully or I might have loved it even more
Most of all this is a very funny book... in the way of little comments that build and build and create an atmosphere that eventually near the end, and with a term I've heard often enough before, tipped me into helpless giggles.
There's also a generous and unexpected helping of Armitage poetry... and songs.
Most of all this is a very funny book... in the way of little comments that build and build and create an atmosphere that eventually near the end, and with a term I've heard often enough before, tipped me into helpless giggles.
There's also a generous and unexpected helping of Armitage poetry... and songs.
June 24, 2012
Pretty slight in a sort of wry, northern everyman style a la Stuart Maconie but still some really enjoyable sections. It's sort of a pseudo travelogue of his own gigs and work experiences and gigs by some of his favourite bands that he's attended. I feel a little more inspired to read some of his poetry and poetry in general. Job done I suppose.
May 14, 2016
A poets reflection on touring and.....indie bands ..very music heavy this which suits me as I like these kind of things.
short essays truth be told and observations on Bob Dylan's work...a Morrissey tour date...an interview with Dave Gedge....plus poetic stuff put aside and an attempt at rock and roll immortality.
Good holiday reading fodder I would suggest...
short essays truth be told and observations on Bob Dylan's work...a Morrissey tour date...an interview with Dave Gedge....plus poetic stuff put aside and an attempt at rock and roll immortality.
Good holiday reading fodder I would suggest...
September 12, 2018
Despite a tendency to feel like a collection of magazine articles, this was an interesting autobiography and exploration of the impact of "rock" music. Some insights into Armitage's songwriting (as opposed to poetic) work as well as a view of a Yorkshire lad from a working class family who realises that he needed to become a poet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2009
Loved this book. I had trouble reading it on public transport cos it literally made me laugh out loud. The bit when he came home to find a robin reliant in flames in his back yard was just hilarious. also the 'meat is murder / how d'you want your steak cooked?' incident.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2010
Hugely engaging read which isn't really about 'a rock-star fantasist' at all but actually about how a love of music can change you and find its way into all corners of your life... specifically a love of indie music 1978-1987! Worth reading for the Mark E Smith anecdote alone...
April 26, 2015
I dispute the review by The Sunday Telegraph that it's extremely funny but it is very amusing. More a collection of interlinked stories loosely centered around music and life. Worth buying and I am grateful for the friend who sent it to me.
April 19, 2018
A series of anecdotes about Simon Armitage's life which read like a series of poems extended into prose. Lyrically written with a fantastic turn of phrase, this book makes compelling reading.
Note: this is not a book of poetry. But a book about a poet.
Note: this is not a book of poetry. But a book about a poet.
August 1, 2008
If you love music and you Simon Armitage this is the book for you. Funny, entertaining Northern humour. Perfect.
November 8, 2008
As always with Simon Armitage - a fantastic read. Couldn't stop laughing out loud - wonderful
June 6, 2009
Simon Armitage. <3
The only thing which stops it getting 5 stars is that it should've been longer, and perhaps more explanitory about who he was on about at the start.
The only thing which stops it getting 5 stars is that it should've been longer, and perhaps more explanitory about who he was on about at the start.
March 9, 2012
Picked this one up at a second hand bookshop in Minehead, I think. Liked it. Didn't always get the musical references, but laughed quite a bit.
Giving it to the CCF bookswap.
Giving it to the CCF bookswap.
January 21, 2012
Rock and Droll- brilliant....
April 15, 2012
This book actually made me laugh out loud, so probably not one to read on public transport...
September 30, 2013
I do like Armitage's writing. So why such a low mark? Possibly the loose structure, possibly because I had enjoyed Walking Home so much, possibly because of the mood I was in.
June 14, 2013
Another gem from Simon Armitage! I checked out The Scaremongers on line, and they weren't as bad as I thought they would be! Keep on rocking Simon!
November 25, 2014
Sweet and funny memoir by my favourite poet.
July 26, 2014
Warm anecdotal humour; parochial British scenes against a backdrop of emergent cultures of dissent. Punk, New Romantics - Yorkshire style!
August 24, 2015
An enjoyable amble through the life and times so far of the Yorkshire poet and indie music enthusiast.
June 6, 2016
A refreshing, light read, full of little pieces about poetry, music, life, and everything in between. Inessential, but pleasurable.
June 30, 2017
Really enjoyable mishmash of musical reminiscences and experiences of being a performing poet.
July 3, 2022
Memories of gigs triggering free association of author’s life
This might seem a bit random and meandering to some people but it is what it is, and I liked it. I think some other Amazon reviewers say they were disappointed because it’s not really a book about gigs and music. I take the point - I can see why some readers wouldn’t get into this.
It’s basically glimpses into the author’s biography triggered by memories of different gigs and with a narrative thread going through it about Armitage wanting to be in a band and perform as a musician/ singer. Along the way he gives quite a bit of detail about Yorkshire, his family, and how important these are to him. A good read, for me.
This might seem a bit random and meandering to some people but it is what it is, and I liked it. I think some other Amazon reviewers say they were disappointed because it’s not really a book about gigs and music. I take the point - I can see why some readers wouldn’t get into this.
It’s basically glimpses into the author’s biography triggered by memories of different gigs and with a narrative thread going through it about Armitage wanting to be in a band and perform as a musician/ singer. Along the way he gives quite a bit of detail about Yorkshire, his family, and how important these are to him. A good read, for me.
November 16, 2020
Rather embarrassingly when I bought this I didn't know he was the current Poet Laureate or anything else about him, I was just swayed by the very enthusiastic quotes on the cover. It's an odd old thing too, a mixture of non-fiction pieces about his relationship with music, reviews of a few bands, and stories from his own gigs as a poet, along with some lyrics he wrote for a couple of documentaries. When he's writing about music it's largely interesting, and his passion comes across well, but other times it's stultifying boring, and his anecdotes are even quite annoying at times. A generous 3/5.
August 19, 2021
I love his poetry, but this was a bit all over the place and left me feeling cold. Telling a life story by jumping around (non-chronologically) between "gigs" he's attended or been part of is an interesting idea in theory but in reality it just feels like a convenient excuse to not delve into the details of actual pivotal moments in his life (getting a poem published for the first time? getting married? having a child?).
I'm also mad that nobody has made a spotify playlist of the music recommendations in this book yet because I didn't enjoy it enough to re-read it and throw something together myself.
I'm also mad that nobody has made a spotify playlist of the music recommendations in this book yet because I didn't enjoy it enough to re-read it and throw something together myself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews