SCOTT IAN - I'm The Man

November 21, 2014, 9 years ago

(Da Capo Press)

Aaron Small

Rating: 9.5

review anthrax scott ian heavy metal

SCOTT IAN - I'm The Man

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, along with author Jon Wiederhorn (Louder Than Hell), have immortalized the story of Baldini – as he was so affectionately nicknamed by Dimebag Darrell of Pantera – into a riveting, top notch, 300 page hardcover book. Beginning with a seven page (not just a lame paragraph or two) foreword by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, I’m The Man is far superior to the glut of rock biographies currently available. In addition to the very revealing nature, this is a visual feast as well. Not only do you get 32 glossy pages of rare, personal photos, but a 16-page, full colour centrespread, offering a peek at the awesome slides projected during the Swearing Words live shows. Focusing on the text, Scott immediately captures readers’ attention with an unbelievable but true tale of breaking into the New York Yankees spring training park in Tampa, Florida at 3am – completely drunk! From childhood recollections to hearing KISS for the very first time “in a yellow Ford Torino station wagon,” the attention to detail is impeccable. Experiences with alcohol and girls are told in such an informative, yet casual fashion; this is play by play at its finest. In 1981, Scott Ian formed Anthrax with Danny Lilker – “It was terrible looking back at it, but also a shitload of fun.” Delightful humour is injected throughout; for example, “I credit my status as Anthrax’s mouthpiece to two words – pushy Jew.” Never hiding his true feelings, Scott fully admits the band hated vocalist Neil Turbin (who sang on Fistful Of Metal), describing him as “a tyrant, straight-up dictator.”

Replacement singer Joey Belladonna auditioned in an “awkward costume,” but Scott considers Among The Living as “our Master’s Thesis.” Fully self-deprecating, Scott states, “The bigger we got, the more ridiculous we became.” He still looks at State Of Euphoria as a “half-finished album… a shitty record.” Furthermore, “working on Persistence Of Time was not fun.” Such honesty is almost unparalleled. Then comes the revelation that Iron Maiden bailed Anthrax out of an $80,000 debt! You wanted the truth, you got the truth. Behold paintball wars with Slayer on the Clash Of The Titans tour in 1991. Enter singer John Bush, who “was like the hot chick that everybody wanted to hook up with.” Sound Of White Noise cracked the top ten on Billboard; securing Scott a mortgage. Looking for dirty laundry, Scott recounts the time Al Jourgensen from Ministry barged onto the Anthrax tour bus, grabbing slices of piping hot Domino’s pizza, only to “rub it all over his cock and balls to prevent STD infection.” This book knows no limits, making it impossible to put down. Each page is superlative; but what comes next – a marijuana mishap, “the biggest business mistake in the history of the band,” and a bachelor party. Going beyond confession, Scott describes 1993 and 1994 as “completely demoralizing, and 1996 was a pretty shitty year.” There’s still 18 years to go and this review could easily double in length. Don’t hesitate, just buy! Guaranteed, this is an awesome read – and would make a fantastic Christmas present.

 



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