Michael Azerrad
@michaelazerrad.bsky.social
Author of _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_ and _Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991_.
Bylines: the New Yorker, the Yale Review, the New York Times, etc.
Bylines: the New Yorker, the Yale Review, the New York Times, etc.
Pinned
The Amplified “Come As You Are” Book Revisits Nirvana’s Legend with New Depth and Devastation - That Eric Alper
When Michael Azerrad first published Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana in 1993, he captured lightning in a bottle. It was the only biography written with full access to Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoseli...
www.thatericalper.com
"For those too young to remember MTV Unplugged or zines or mixtapes, this book is a roadmap to the 1990s: the rage, the disaffection, the way music could crack open a kid’s worldview. For those who were there, it’s a chance to relive it all with the benefit of hindsight — and heartbreak."
Perhaps you love late-'50s South African pop vocal music. In that case, I recommend _The Very Best of the Skylarks, 1956-1959_, vol. I and II. Yep, that's Miriam Makeba's group. RIYL: the Andrews Sisters and mbaqanga
December 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Perhaps you love late-'50s South African pop vocal music. In that case, I recommend _The Very Best of the Skylarks, 1956-1959_, vol. I and II. Yep, that's Miriam Makeba's group. RIYL: the Andrews Sisters and mbaqanga
If you're interested in the craft of songwriting, I recommend listening to this "Democracy Now" episode about lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, who wrote the words to classics like "Over the Rainbow," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" etc.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
December 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
If you're interested in the craft of songwriting, I recommend listening to this "Democracy Now" episode about lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, who wrote the words to classics like "Over the Rainbow," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" etc.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
I did an UnderPile about the story behind Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to _A Charlie Brown Christmas_ and why the music touches us so deeply. There are also some words of wisdom from the record's potty-mouthed drummer.
On Vince Guaraldi's Immortal Soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas
This Peanuts stuff was a little more sophisticated than it appeared
michaelazerrad.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I did an UnderPile about the story behind Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to _A Charlie Brown Christmas_ and why the music touches us so deeply. There are also some words of wisdom from the record's potty-mouthed drummer.
As yesterday's _New York Times_ "Connection" puzzle so compellingly demonstrates, the B-52s' legacy is deep and abiding.
December 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
As yesterday's _New York Times_ "Connection" puzzle so compellingly demonstrates, the B-52s' legacy is deep and abiding.
I did a Beneathpile on the enduring relevance of the classic _A Charlie Brown Christmas_ — with a Fugazi reference thrown in.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: You Are Not What You Own
Commercialism meets the Gospel of St. Luke
michaelazerrad.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I did a Beneathpile on the enduring relevance of the classic _A Charlie Brown Christmas_ — with a Fugazi reference thrown in.
Happy 82nd birthday to Keith Richards, who has been struggling to be free ever since.
December 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Happy 82nd birthday to Keith Richards, who has been struggling to be free ever since.
Life is short. Just throw on that desert island disc that you've been waiting for the absolutely perfect moment to listen to again. You won't regret it.
December 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Life is short. Just throw on that desert island disc that you've been waiting for the absolutely perfect moment to listen to again. You won't regret it.
Miller calls OBCBYL "An almost inadvertent 'How-To' primer..."
Any work has unintended consequences, and that's a beautiful thing — but the "almost" is well said: the book is called _Our Band Could Be Your Life_ for a reason.
Any work has unintended consequences, and that's a beautiful thing — but the "almost" is well said: the book is called _Our Band Could Be Your Life_ for a reason.
Took part in a fun exercise at The Shepherd. Wrote about 4 books that shaped my worldview in regards to underground music---and why it's much more interesting than the mainstream.
#greilmarcus #peterguralnick #richcohen #nicktosches @michaelazerrad.bsky.social #booksky #americana #losthighway
#greilmarcus #peterguralnick #richcohen #nicktosches @michaelazerrad.bsky.social #booksky #americana #losthighway
The best books about why the weird underbelly of American music is more interesting and important than pop music
Rob Miller shares the 5 best books on why the weird underbelly of American music is more interesting and important than pop music. Have you read Our Band Could Be Your Life?
shepherd.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Miller calls OBCBYL "An almost inadvertent 'How-To' primer..."
Any work has unintended consequences, and that's a beautiful thing — but the "almost" is well said: the book is called _Our Band Could Be Your Life_ for a reason.
Any work has unintended consequences, and that's a beautiful thing — but the "almost" is well said: the book is called _Our Band Could Be Your Life_ for a reason.
"I'm still against guns generally. They've impacted my life in a negative way."
— Sean Lennon
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)
— Sean Lennon
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)
December 8, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"I'm still against guns generally. They've impacted my life in a negative way."
— Sean Lennon
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)
— Sean Lennon
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980)
Perhaps you're looking for a holiday present for the Nirvana fan in your life. Then may I humbly suggest... my own book!
“Enriched with new anecdotes, insights and info-morsels, this super-expanded Michael Azerrad classic is a great story made even more gripping.”
—Simon Reynolds
“Enriched with new anecdotes, insights and info-morsels, this super-expanded Michael Azerrad classic is a great story made even more gripping.”
—Simon Reynolds
The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana
The Story of Nirvana
bookshop.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Perhaps you're looking for a holiday present for the Nirvana fan in your life. Then may I humbly suggest... my own book!
“Enriched with new anecdotes, insights and info-morsels, this super-expanded Michael Azerrad classic is a great story made even more gripping.”
—Simon Reynolds
“Enriched with new anecdotes, insights and info-morsels, this super-expanded Michael Azerrad classic is a great story made even more gripping.”
—Simon Reynolds
I did a belated Underneath the Heap about a Thanksgiving classic: Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant Massacree."
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
Ageless and Evergreen: "Alice's Restaurant Massacree"
How Arlo Guthrie's '60s counterculture classic is a gift that keeps on giving
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I did a belated Underneath the Heap about a Thanksgiving classic: Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant Massacree."
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
Today is the 32nd anniversary of Nirvana's epochal appearance on "Unplugged." Here's one of the passages about that show from my book _The Amplified Come as You Are_.
November 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Today is the 32nd anniversary of Nirvana's epochal appearance on "Unplugged." Here's one of the passages about that show from my book _The Amplified Come as You Are_.
Something bad and yet wonderful happened at the Tortoise show tonight: the PA cut out. No more pants-leg-rattling bass, no spacious reverb, just the sound coming off the stage. They still sounded great. That's down to musicianship, style and the magic gained from playing together for 35 years.
November 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Something bad and yet wonderful happened at the Tortoise show tonight: the PA cut out. No more pants-leg-rattling bass, no spacious reverb, just the sound coming off the stage. They still sounded great. That's down to musicianship, style and the magic gained from playing together for 35 years.
"I'm 80 years old now and I think this is probably the best time of my life because I sort of have a general idea of what's happening."
— Pete Townshend, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," November 13, 2025
— Pete Townshend, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," November 13, 2025
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"I'm 80 years old now and I think this is probably the best time of my life because I sort of have a general idea of what's happening."
— Pete Townshend, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," November 13, 2025
— Pete Townshend, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," November 13, 2025
It is truly a testament to the integrity of Joyful Noise Recordings that their beautiful new Daniel Johnston _In the 20th Century_ cassette box set is actually a box.
(It's 16 albums, mastered by longtime collaborator Kramer, in a limited edition of 999.)
(It's 16 albums, mastered by longtime collaborator Kramer, in a limited edition of 999.)
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It is truly a testament to the integrity of Joyful Noise Recordings that their beautiful new Daniel Johnston _In the 20th Century_ cassette box set is actually a box.
(It's 16 albums, mastered by longtime collaborator Kramer, in a limited edition of 999.)
(It's 16 albums, mastered by longtime collaborator Kramer, in a limited edition of 999.)
Oh, here's that exquisitely beautiful music from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh that you should hear.
Ritual Mouth Organs Of The Murung - Bangladesh
YouTube video by World Field Recordings
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Oh, here's that exquisitely beautiful music from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh that you should hear.
Jenn Wasner (Flock of Dimes, ex-Wye Oak) is a powerful songwriter, great musician, soulful singer—but best of all, she's a master of the ineffable. And that's what I'm in it for: the feels that can't be put into words. New FoD album is exquisite. On tour now and in December.
flockofdimes.com#Tour
flockofdimes.com#Tour
Flock of Dimes
flockofdimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Jenn Wasner (Flock of Dimes, ex-Wye Oak) is a powerful songwriter, great musician, soulful singer—but best of all, she's a master of the ineffable. And that's what I'm in it for: the feels that can't be put into words. New FoD album is exquisite. On tour now and in December.
flockofdimes.com#Tour
flockofdimes.com#Tour
Today is the 35th anniversary of the release of My Bloody Valentine's _Loveless_, which is as good a reason as any to spin one of the 20th century's greatest works of art in any genre.
November 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Today is the 35th anniversary of the release of My Bloody Valentine's _Loveless_, which is as good a reason as any to spin one of the 20th century's greatest works of art in any genre.
It's the 34th anniversary of Nirvana's triumphant homecoming show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.
Here's a passage about it from _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_, a new, vastly expanded edition of _Come as You Are_.
Here's a passage about it from _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_, a new, vastly expanded edition of _Come as You Are_.
October 31, 2025 at 11:21 PM
It's the 34th anniversary of Nirvana's triumphant homecoming show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.
Here's a passage about it from _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_, a new, vastly expanded edition of _Come as You Are_.
Here's a passage about it from _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_, a new, vastly expanded edition of _Come as You Are_.
Can't wait for _Even the Good Girls Will Cry_, Melissa Auf der Maur’s (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins) memoir about "my life in the rock bands which allowed me to have a front row seat to an incredibly visceral and unforgettable moment in the counterculture." MAdM is a strong writer. Out March 17th.
October 31, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Can't wait for _Even the Good Girls Will Cry_, Melissa Auf der Maur’s (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins) memoir about "my life in the rock bands which allowed me to have a front row seat to an incredibly visceral and unforgettable moment in the counterculture." MAdM is a strong writer. Out March 17th.
Soundgarden lead guitarist Kim Thayil publishes his memoir _A Screaming Life_ this May. Besides being a stunning musician, Kim is a good and very thoughtful person, and he was part of the Seattle "grunge" explosion since before the beginning — so I bet it's going to be a great read.
October 28, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Soundgarden lead guitarist Kim Thayil publishes his memoir _A Screaming Life_ this May. Besides being a stunning musician, Kim is a good and very thoughtful person, and he was part of the Seattle "grunge" explosion since before the beginning — so I bet it's going to be a great read.
Cool band alert: Zwei Null Zwei plays a cool, hard-grooving Krautrock-Wire amalgam with their own ineffable spin. It's all DC (hence the band name) post-punk mainstays: Eli Janney (Girls Against Boys), Sohrab Habinion (Obits), Geoff Sanoff, and James Canty (the Make-Up).
Zwei Null Zwei
Eli Janney, Geoff Sanoff, James Canty, Sohrab Habibion: DC expats living in NY.
zweinullzwei.bandcamp.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Cool band alert: Zwei Null Zwei plays a cool, hard-grooving Krautrock-Wire amalgam with their own ineffable spin. It's all DC (hence the band name) post-punk mainstays: Eli Janney (Girls Against Boys), Sohrab Habinion (Obits), Geoff Sanoff, and James Canty (the Make-Up).
Last night's joyous Shudder to Think reunion show recalled Mission of Burma and Dinosaur Jr's amazing early reunion shows: 1) the beautifully human fact that only *those* people can make *that* sound and 2) the new songs were actually killer. New single on Discord (!) Nov. 7.
October 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Last night's joyous Shudder to Think reunion show recalled Mission of Burma and Dinosaur Jr's amazing early reunion shows: 1) the beautifully human fact that only *those* people can make *that* sound and 2) the new songs were actually killer. New single on Discord (!) Nov. 7.
I wrote a BelowHeap about CBGB's final night, October 15, 2006. In the mix: Patti Smith, the Dead Boys, John Belushi, Danny Fields, Flea and an impossible hangover.
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
The Last Pogo
A remembrance of closing night at CBGB
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I wrote a BelowHeap about CBGB's final night, October 15, 2006. In the mix: Patti Smith, the Dead Boys, John Belushi, Danny Fields, Flea and an impossible hangover.
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
open.substack.com/pub/michaela...