Name: Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys
ISBN: 9780571297757

Viv Albertine

Viv Albertine is one of a handful of original punks who changed music, and the discourse around it, forever. This title tells a story of hitherto dominated by male voices which is recast through the eyes of one of the most glamorous, uncompromising and iconic figures of the time.

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys

Started on my travel to Pula for two weeks. Finished second week in Pula while on vacation. Loved it. Memoirs satisfy a special urge for validation often. Fast pace, paradoxical, just is. At times when I'm struggling about what to do with my expression, it was a badass read. Might as well express yourself. Might as well start a punk band when I'm 50. Let's see how long the grip will hold.

Dora Tominic

Disclaimer: this is not a review.

Started on my travel to Pula for two weeks. Finished second week in Pula while on vacation. Loved it. Memoirs satisfy a special urge for validation often. Fast pace, paradoxical, just is. At times when I'm struggling about what to do with my expression, it was a badass read. Might as well express yourself. Might as well start a punk band when I'm 50. Let's see how long the grip will hold.

Cassie B

Full of contradictions, but not the interesting, nuanced kind that you’d expect from an autobiography. Just the convenient kind.
I loved the Slits. I really wanted to love this, and even though I tried, I couldn’t. If anything, I wished I never read it in the first place. 
Also: the brand name-dropping in the second half of the book is unbearable. I don’t care what make your stove is (Bosch), or your car (Audi), or which designer made your V-neck slate-grey jumper (Donna Karan). Despite constant references to her punk upbringings and beliefs throughout the novel, Albertine sure gets hung up on the most inane consumerist details.

Jeannette Ordas

Wow, what a fantastic memoir - gossipy in all the right ways, inspiring and fun. I loved her strong feminist voice and Viv came across as flawed and real. Sure it has some flaws, things jump around a bit, but no matter, this is aces!

Viv Albertine is one of a handful of original punks who changed music, and the discourse around it, forever. In Clothes ... Music ... Boys a story hitherto dominated by male voices is recast through the eyes of one of the most glamorous, uncompromising and iconic figures of the time. After forming The Flowers of Romance with Sid Vicious in 1976, Viv joined The Slits and made musical history as one of the first generation of punk bands. Here is the story of what it was like to be a girl at the height of punk: the sex, the drugs, the guys, the tours, the hard lessons learnt and those not considered. From Madonna to Lady Gaga, fashion to feminims, Viv Albertine has influenced a range of exceptional artists. Here, before and beyond the break-up of The Slits in 1982, is the full story of a life lived unscripted, with foolishness, bravery and great emotional honesty. A memoir full of raw and uncompromising anecdote and opinion, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys is an unflinching account of a life lived on the frontiers of experience, by a true pioneer.

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.

The memoir of Viv Albertine, guitarist from the iconic punk era band, the Slits, is written in two parts; Side One and Side Two. 

Dealing with her early life, growing up, and the evolution of the punk music scene, as well as its influence on her own music and image. 

Its dirty, it's grungy and it's very honest in its portrayal. 

Its written in a very memorable and interesting way. The main body of the text is written in present tense, almost as if adolescent Viv is writing it as shes living it. This gives it a juvenile feel, as well as highlighting the unlikeable qualities about her life and personalities that influenced her decisions. Every so often, you have an adult Viv add little snippets of text, reflecting on decisions or events that happened, which provides an extra depth to what you've just read. 

While I had heard of the Slits, it's not a band I can say I've ever listened to (if I have heard any of their music, I have done so unbeknownst to myself). However, I still found her perspective of the rise of punk interesting. The early life of some of the big names (Sex Pistols, the Clash) and how they helped, not only shape and mould her own life and decisions, but also give her a sense of direction and inspiration, was intriguing. 

Dealing with her life after the Slits and all the challenges that brings. 

Its still written in the same style as Side One. With Side One, this helped see the vulnerability and juvenile nature to Viv growing up and adapting to life in music. Whereas now, using this style in Side Two, you get the raw honesty of how it was to cope with the challenges she faces (IVF, cancer, divorce, depression). It highlights the disappointment at where she has ended up, and how she lost herself completely, despite trying hard to build her life back up. It really emphasises how hard Viv worked to find herself and her passion for life again. 

Viv Albertine's memoir details a remarkable journey of self discovery and self empowerment, despite all the dark, upside down moments life can throw at you. It is the clothes she wears, the boys she knows, and ultimately the music that inspires and guides her.

Victoria Justice

The memoir of Viv Albertine, guitarist from the iconic punk era band, the Slits, is written in two parts; Side One and Side Two. 

Side One: 

Dealing with her early life, growing up, and the evolution of the punk music scene, as well as its influence on her own music and image. 

Its dirty, it's grungy and it's very honest in its portrayal. 

Its written in a very memorable and interesting way. The main body of the text is written in present tense, almost as if adolescent Viv is writing it as shes living it. This gives it a juvenile feel, as well as highlighting the unlikeable qualities about her life and personalities that influenced her decisions. Every so often, you have an adult Viv add little snippets of text, reflecting on decisions or events that happened, which provides an extra depth to what you've just read. 

While I had heard of the Slits, it's not a band I can say I've ever listened to (if I have heard any of their music, I have done so unbeknownst to myself). However, I still found her perspective of the rise of punk interesting. The early life of some of the big names (Sex Pistols, the Clash) and how they helped, not only shape and mould her own life and decisions, but also give her a sense of direction and inspiration, was intriguing. 

Side Two: 

Dealing with her life after the Slits and all the challenges that brings. 

Its still written in the same style as Side One. With Side One, this helped see the vulnerability and juvenile nature to Viv growing up and adapting to life in music. Whereas now, using this style in Side Two, you get the raw honesty of how it was to cope with the challenges she faces (IVF, cancer, divorce, depression). It highlights the disappointment at where she has ended up, and how she lost herself completely, despite trying hard to build her life back up. It really emphasises how hard Viv worked to find herself and her passion for life again. 

Viv Albertine's memoir details a remarkable journey of self discovery and self empowerment, despite all the dark, upside down moments life can throw at you. It is the clothes she wears, the boys she knows, and ultimately the music that inspires and guides her.

Ivan Shiel

Sometimes the most interesting biographers in any scene are those on the periphery; they have fewer scores to settle and no reputation to protect. Viv Albertine was in the midst of punk and new wave, and was in The Slits, a band far too interesting to make much money. 

But make no mistake, this isn't just about punk. It's a full biography and its often these other sections that are the most memorable. 

The most overriding feeling from this book is grimness. There's never any celebration, not much joy, and Viv herself is often admirable but not often likeable. Yet Viv's unvarnished style feels honest and direct, and it's this that makes her book so compelling.

Eva Cace

Lindy

Ricky Burgess

Harriette

khaoula

Elle Geoghegan 

Lee Sherman

sophie klessen 

Natalie Stenson

James Haliburton

Julia A.

jule scott

cass

Lindsay Cronk

Mario Menti 

Gareth Kay

SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR MOJO BOOK OF THE YEAR In 1975, Viv Albertine was obsessed with music but it never occurred to her she could be in a band as she couldn't play an instrument and she'd never seen a girl play electric guitar. A year later, she was the guitarist in the hugely influential all-girl band the Slits, who fearlessly took on the male-dominated music scene and became part of a movement that changed music. A raw, thrilling story of life on the frontiers and a candid account of Viv's life post-punk - taking in a career in film, the pain of IVF, illness and divorce and the triumph of making music again - Clothes Music Boys is a remarkable memoir.

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys

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