Slayer Book(s)

I wrote two books about Slayer, and you can buy ‘em both cheap here. They’re paperbacks, and the one about Reign In Blood is available as an audiobook, cheap or free, from the same page.

http://www.SlayerBio.com

One book is about the Reign in Blood album (its creation and legacy).

One is a full-length bio with 33 photos, 11 illustrations, 59 chapters, 400 endnotes, an index (paperback) and 3 appendices (in the highly hyperlinked e-book, 2 in the paperback).

Keep scrolling down in this blog for a bunch of interviews, podcasts, and behind-the-scenes info about the books and how I wrote them. There’s a bunch of random Halloween stuff, but after that, it’s all Slay-age!

Hey, y’all. It’s your pal Ferris here. I have some cool Slayer stuff coming up. As you know, I do some other things. Right now, for example, I’m plugging my other book, which is an official collaboration with Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, one of my favorite bands ever. More about that in a second. My point for now:

IF YOU JUST WANT TO SEE MY SLAYTANIC STUFF, CLICK HERE. 

It’ll get you to all the Slayer podcasts and articles and such. And you can skip over all the classic rock, comic strips, Misfits material, etc.

Someone over at 7th House, the official Danzig group, pointed out that Danzig’s June 23 birthday is basically six months from Christmas. It’s, like, the Danzig Soulstice.

Anyhow, in honor of GD’s birthday, here’s why he rules.

Danzig. 

Most talented and accomplished guy from the old-school hardcore generation. 

40+ years in the game. 

Wrote the words. 

Wrote the music. 

Played it when he had to. 

Assembled the imagery. 

Had not one, not two, but THREE good bands. But that’s not all:

Had a No. 1 album on the CLASSICAL Billboard chart. And a second one in the top 10 (or 11? I've seen 10 cited, but Billboard's terrible online database says 11). 

Kicked ass in the other genres he worked in: punk, rock, electronic/darkwave/whatever you want to call it. 

Damn near cracked the top 40 with "Mother" (peak position #43 March 26, 1994? Is that right? Seems wrong). 

Directed videos. (Still waiting for the movie, but financing is a B.) 

Wrote comics. 

Took pictures. 

Wrote for Johnny Cash. Wrote for Roy Orbison. 

Was covered by Metallica and Guns N' Roses, the two premier hard rock bands of their generation. 

That's four Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acts who recorded his songs.

As Steven Blush of American Hardcore renown pointed out, Misfits are the only old-school band to sell out arenas. 

“THE STORY OF DONNIE IRIS AND THE CRUISERS”

AN OFFICIAL ROCK BIOGRAPHY BY D.X. FERRIS

SIMPLE TITLE. LONG STORY. TOTALLY UNDERRATED BAND. SERIOUSLY.

“Donnie Iris and the Cruisers were always clever dudes who made great records and had great, great songs. It was a working man’s rock band with undeniable hooks and melodies.” — Jason Pettigrew, editor-in-chief, Alternative Press

DONNIE IRIS AND THE CRUISERS is one of those bands. Every cool city has one: Tommy Conwell in Philadelphia. Southside Johnny in Jersey. Mother’s Finest in Atlanta. The Nighthawks in DC. Willie Nile in Buffalo. Michael Stanley in Cleveland. They’re beloved in their home town. But three hours away, they’re obscure, possibly unknown. The Cruisers is one of those bands. But none of those bands has a career — or story — like Donnie and the Cruisers.

The Cruisers are the best-kept secret from the early ’80s golden age of FM radio, when a band suspended between classic rock, album-oriented rock, and new wave was at home on the airwaves next to the Police, Elvis Costello and Van Halen. Donnie is best known for his string of MCA/Carousel Records albums, which are best remembered for his signature song, “Ah! Leah!”

Music snobs will look at the video, snicker, and dismiss him as a one-hit wonder; in fact, the band had three Top 40 hits and seven Hot 100 singles, including the MTV hit “Love Is Like a Rock.” But there’s more to the story, before and after.

Iconic in Pittsburgh and beloved in Cleveland, Donnie Iris has a career that spans over 50 years in the show-business middle class. He was a singer before the Beatles, but the ’60s baby-boomer rock explosion led to his first big group, the Jaggerz.

The Jaggerz recorded an album with Gamble and Huff, but only graduated from colleges and supper clubs to arenas after the breakout success of their single hit, “The Rapper,” a novelty song that went to No. 1 (Record World) and No. 2 (Billboard) witha push from Kama Sutra/Buddha Records. That was Donnie’s last hit for a full decade, though.

Donnie stayed in the game. Hungry for a gig, he signed on to play with a fading Wild Cherry, who were coming down from the smash hit “Play That Funky Music.” In Wild Cherry, Donnie met keyboardist Mark Avsec, a multi-talented Cleveland up-and-comer who cut his teeth with Jonah Koslen’s Breathless. The two liked each other, so they drafted a band, hit the studio, and recorded the 1980 album Back on the Streets, which launched “Ah! Leah!” on to the Billboard charts.

What follows — as documented in this painstakingly researched oral history and official band bio — is a winding story that plays like a cross between the four-hour Tom Petty & Grateful Dead documentaries, The American Hardcore Book, and beloved music movie That Thing You Do!: The Cruisers score a record deal (sort of). They make some albums. The have more hit singles than most bands. When the hits stop coming, Donnie faces some difficult decisions.

The Cruisers splinter, refocus, reform, reunite, and get day jobs — Donnie as a mortgage broker, Mark as an internationally respected attorney, Kevin Valentine as drummer for bands including Kiss. But they never break up. And when their career hits a commercial low, Donnie’s hometown rediscovers the band.

The Cruisers kept gigging and recording, selling out county fairs (for a while), then finding their footing in sold-out clubs and theaters. (Donnie celebrates his 75th birthday in February, with two sold-out concerts in Greensburg’s 1600-seat Palace Theater, and a third about to go on sale). Unbeknownst to many fans, they continued scoring impressive musical credits: Bandleader/co-songwriter Mark Avsec played with Joe Walsh in James Gang reunions and wrote tunes for two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acts (Bon Jovi and Carlos Santana). After a stint playing with comedian Sam Kinison’s band, Valentine’s experience producing led to sound mixing in top-tier TV shows like The Good Wife, Legion and Better Call Saul. And the band keep on playing. And it’s good.

Features colorful, never-before-told scenes from days of yesteryear, from the Jaggerz’ supper-club showband era to the Cruisers’ arena-rocking glory years opening for Ted Nugent, Hall & Oates, and Loverboy. Lots of Pittsburgh & Cleveland stuff.

It’s big and long, but accessible and illustrated: 75 chapters are fully indexed, easy to read, and packed with vintage and newly discovered photos by veterans Anastasios Pantsios and Richard Kelly. Design by Cruisers guitars Marty Lee Hoenes.

Foreword by Pittsburgh hero Jim Krenn, who featured Donnie in landmark skits on WDVE’s DVE Morning Show, which are recounted in one of the longer chapters. The band, friends, witnesses, critics and fans recount how it all happened and what it means.

Ferris is an Ohio Society of Professional Journalists Reporter of the Year. He writing credits include Rolling Stone, The AV Club, Alternative Press, Decibel, and Cleveland Scene. This is his sixth book. Previous volumes include two about Slayer, one of which is part of the prestigious 33 1/3 series. He’s a Pittsburgh native who worked in Cleveland, so he knows his ish. He has a lot to say about Donnie, rock journalism, metal, natural xylitol gum, independent publishing, and good music to listen to while you write.

Published by the Cruisers’ Primary Records Group

Internationally available NOW via Amazon

Coffee table paperback $39.99 • 8.5x11” • 466 pages (220,000 words)

They like us! They really like us! ANOTHER thumbs up from the hometown crowd. I grew up reading these papers, so to be in the spotlight for a minute... wow, mind blown.

Another rave from one of the Pittsburgh papers.

One of the band’s hometown papers liked the book...

From the Facebook, my Ten Albums thing. I did it without overthinking too much.

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214222900900508

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214236861849523

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214223194427846

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214231116425891

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214272021088482

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214234092660295

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214236132711295

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214236873649818

https://www.facebook.com/dxferris/posts/10214236145191607

Dio passed eight years ago today. I've been meaning to do that "my favorite musical moments" thing. In honor of RJD, here they are. Sure I left a few, but hey, you know?

Wait for it...

https://youtu.be/vtEw8JLQBgg?t=40s

Tori:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpuUKjOudIw&feature=youtu.be&t=2m46s

REMz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0RCmOF1ACU&feature=youtu.be&t=2m35s

Ness, guitar solo:

https://youtu.be/xgAUtc6yGFw?

F'n Slayer:

https://youtu.be/Y2e47wBWTV8?t=3m20st=2m00s

138:

https://youtu.be/SOqVs-K1eEo?t=57s

BUDDDDA BUDDA BUDDA... YES! EEEEEEEEEEE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52rrRcKcPZ4&feature=youtu.be&t=9s

Daptone:

https://youtu.be/b-I2s5zRbHg?t=2m27s

Like the whole first :90:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEjJXeR1o8c

The whole thing:

THIS IS MY NEW BOOK. THESE ARE DETAILS.

(Click to zoom and/or download a .pdf copy)

YES, IT’S MUSIC.

NO, IT’S NOT METAL.

IT’S ABOUT THIS GUY, THE CLASSIC ROCK KING OF PITTSBURGH...

HE’S THE BEST-KEPT SECRET OF 80s FM RADIO, RIPE TO BE REDISCOVERED AND WORSHIPPED ANEW.

NATIONAL RELEASE MARCH 2, VIA AMAZON.

SORRY I’VE BEEN AWAY. I REALLY BUSTED BY D ON THIS THING. IT TOOK SOME TIME AND EFFORT.

I was back in Pittsburgh this week, and I had a TON of "This Is Your Life" flashbacks. Came full-circle on a lot of hopes & aspirations I had once.

Long story short, I was once in a Ph.D program in Duquesne, a fancy-schmancy Catholic university that is a big deal, epsecially in Pittsburgh. I thought the big gothic-D ring would maybe give me some Burgh cred and a veneer of respectability.

But when I was a the ritzy school, all I could ever think about what how incompatible I was with the place... and if I could do it all again, I'd go back to the California Times, the school newspaper that I dabbled at as an undergrad, but never immersed myself in, for reasons. And if I could go back, I thought, I’d use that as a launchpad to writing about popular culture. 

And back at the Times is exactly where I would up a year after I walked away from Duquesne.

And, hell, as long as I'm rambling: BEFORE I was in that ill-fitting academic program, I spent time working a pointless, soul-sucking suit job after I got totally off-track in college.

And when I began to formulate an escape from THAT shitshow, I use to think about how I'd be satisfied if I had a life where I could maybe chill on the South Side, a hip-happenin’ neighborhood, during the day... maybe be the kind of guy who wrote a record review for the weekly City Paper now and then... the kind of cat who knows some of the record-store staff on a first-name basis.

And then, Wednesday, there I was. Back in the Burgh. Appeared on KDKA with Donnie Iris to promote the book we collaborated on. Then I met with one of my longtime heroes on the South Side. And maybe THAT will be my next book, collaborating with the person.

So it took 20 years, give or take, but I'm feeling like I'm back on track a little bit.

I forget to mention this more. My Reign in Blood book is available as an audiobook from Audible [.com]. AND you can get it free if you’re a first-time member. Huh, I said “member.” Christian Hummel, who’s a good dude, does an excellent job reading it. He sounds a lot like me (me on a good day).

The audiobook also available, cheap, as an mp3 disc.

“But,” you ask, “when is The Jeff & Dave Years full biography going to be available as an audiobook?” Stay tuned, dear listeners. Stay tuned.

Anyhoo (sic), you can get the audiobook directly via Audible or at Amazon, where my paperbacks ship free with Prime, or if you order enough.

Audible:

https://www.audible.com/pd/Arts-Entertainment/Slayers-Reign-in-Blood-33-1-3-Series-Audiobook/B008L4K15Q?ref_=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl&qid=1495373415&sr=1-1#customer-reviews

Amazon:

This is my favorite Slayer-related video ever. I’m crying from laughter. Listen carefully beneath the music for the sounds from the original video. 

“LISTEN TO THE POLLO SCREAMS!”

^^ Image from unrelated article, which is a good read.

Hey, listeners. It's your pal Ferris here. I dropped 40 pounds over the last year* by doing cardio yoga — specifically, DDP Yoga, which is a great low-impact workout. Unlike every other workout I’ve ever done**, at the end of it, I feel charged up, not drained and sore. It's good, and it's good for you.

* And, knock on wood, I’m keeping it off.

** I put on all my size doing pushups, and I’m a black belt (Taekwondo).

Granted: sometimes the long workouts can feel... long. So here's a special soundtrack to make the time fly and get your blood pumping.

My playlist "Slaytanic Yoga: Well Awaits" runs about 65 minutes, and it cycles through a dynamic range:

- 10 minute warmup - 10 minutes moderately quick - 5 minutes hella fast- 5 minutes moderate - 5 minutes hella fast - 6 minutes on the light side of moderate - 5 minutes cooldown - 4 minutes intense - 10 on the light side of moderate - 5 minutes cooldown

Consult your doctor before thrashing like a beast.

Long story short, just do what the music dictates. If it's fast, go fast. If it speeds up, go faster. If it's slow, go slow. (If you’re doing DDP Yoga, this mix fits with the Double Black Diamond workout; or do Mixtape twice.

Be well. As Ian MacKaye said, "Thanks a lot, friends!" Enjoy.

Click here for the mix:

Here’s a thought that’s been nagging at me awhile now:

The Dark Knight Returns is the ultimate Batman story. And a significant, worthy piece of Western fiction. The cartoon movie, however, makes some baffling choices.

It’s probably my favorite Bat movie (after the Batman ‘66 one). I’m famously picky about Bat movies. I think Tim Burton’s Batman flicks are basically worthless — influential and significant, but crappy. And the Nolan ones are no fun: No scene can be summarized as “Bad guys are doing bad shit, then Batman drops in and kicks much ass.” (Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a much better Batman movie than any of the Batman movies. And the Bat fights in Bats v. Supes sure are swell, but...)

So unlike ALL other Batmovies, proper director Joy Oliva gave the cartoon Dark Knight Returns enough good action to satisfy. Still: over time, those choices gnawed at me. Some consciously, some not.

The cast is swell, but voice acting is disjointed and awful. Voice Director Andrea Romano is an hero in animation, but man, I don’t understand what she OK’d here. Peter Weller, Robocop himself, voices Bruce. He said he didn’t even read the comics, because he wanted to do his own thing with it. Oooof. I wish he had read it.

But more important: The script. Two things I can't get over, one obvious, one subtle but significant:

One: Cutting the narration, bad choice: If you're going to make a movie from the book, do it. Don't make it something else. Cutting the narration is like them adapting Year One, but totally changing the art style (only to use it in the credits,as if to say "Yeah, we coulda done that, but this is OUR shit — great, right?!"). But here's the one(s) I noticed this month, when I caught it on HBO:

Two, and here’s the kicker: The adaptation does everything it can to soften the political content. And the political content is essential. Not only does the adaptation remove the Bruce quote that serves as a thesis:

Bruce to Clark: "You say yes to anybody with a badge & a flag."

It also removes a nearby line from Oliver, who calls the police “fascist sons of bitches!"

The “badge & a flag” line is replaced with a couple utterly toothless, vague lines about being obedient to the wrong kind of authority. The changes remind me of Alan Moore objecting to V for Vendetta adaptation because the movie fails to mention fascism.

So, in conclusion, the Dark Knight Returns cartoon has stellar action, but fails because it won't say what the book does. The cartoon tells the story, but reduces it to a clash between two big superheroes — two essential American ideologies, not so much.

And I get it: What do you expect from a corporate cartoon?

But still, you know? If you're gonna do the thing, do the thing.

— BONUS: Here’s my full Winter Soldier vs. Nolan Batman piece, after the jump

1. Question: For a song to qualify as an all-time-great Side One Track One, does it have to be attached to a great album? I’m leaning toward yes.

2. Here’s my list of the great Side One Track Ones... What are yours?

In no particular order..

Van Halen, “Runnin’ With the Devil,” VH1

Ani DiFranco, “Untouchable Face,” Dilate

Butthole Surfers, “Sweat Loaf,” Locust Abortion Technician

Dylan & Cash, "Girl from the North Country," Nashville Skyline

Kristin Hersh, "Your Ghost," Hips & Makers

Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'," Escape

The Who, "Baba O'Riley," Who's Next

Metallica, "Fight Fire With Fire," Ride the Lightning

Slayer, "Angel of Death," Reign in Blood

Megadeth “Holy Wars/The Punishment is Due,” Rust in Peace

REM, take your pick: "Radio Free Europe," "Drive," Finest Worksong," "Begin the Begin," probably some others I’m overlooking.

NWA, "Straight Out of Compton"

AIC, "Them Bones," Dirt

Mastodon, “Blood and Thunder,” Leviathan

Danzig, "Twist of Cain," Danzig

Stone Roses, "I Wanna Be Adored"

Tricky, "Overcome," Maxinquaye

Boston, "More Than a Feeling"

GBH, Midnight Madness and Beyond. OK, granted, trigger warning. But the all-time hardcore greats going metal and launching it with an arena-sized song? Massive and awesome.

Beastie Boys, "Rhymin' and Stealin'," License to Ill

* "Smells Like Teen Spirit" should qualify, but I have a personal rule that Nirvana & the Beatles don't warrant any further discussion. We can all shut the f*k up them; nobody’s gonna say anything that ain’t been said before.

PODCASTIN' THRASHIN' MAD! 

Podcast The Great Albums talks about — wait for it! — great albums. The welcomed my silly ass and let me talk about my life in metal, Slayer, thrash, and more... PLUS a track-by-track breakdown of Reign in Blood. This a long one:

http://thegreatalbums.libsyn.com/slayer-reign-in-blood-w-guest-dx-ferris

If you like the sound of this one, check out the episode about Metallica’s Master of Puppets with Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher). Lots of correct opinions in this 'un: