[nycfem]

I've been reading the book "You Don't Know Me but you don't like me: Phish, Insane Clown Posse, and my misadventures with two of music's most maligned tribes" by Nathan Rabin

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Know-Like-Misadventures/dp/1451626886/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400448118&sr=1-1&keywords=you+don%27t+know+me+but+you+don%27t+lik e+me"]You Don't Know Me but You Don't Like Me: Phish, Insane Clown Posse, and My Misadventures with Two of Music's Most Maligned Tribes: Nathan Rabin: 9781451626889: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

I picked it up for the ICP factor (Insane Clown Posse). I always get a kick out of Juggalos (the lifestyle devotees and followers of ICP). I'm not into Phish, so I skipped around and read only the ICP chapters. The book is a non-fiction book where Nathan follows both bands (in person with their other followers) for a few years and writes about it. I loved the ICP chapters as I thought I would. I found him to be such a good writer for those chapters that I decided to even read the Phish chapters. I got through a few but ultimately got too bored due to not being into Phish. I'm glad I read the Phish chapters, though, because he is simply a cool writer. I enjoyed his description of the role of psychadelic drugs in the fanbase of Phish. I liked how in the book he did not observe but fully integrated himself into the experience with both bands (including taking the drugs). Perhaps my favorite thing about the book was the reactions it got me as I held it and read it on my subway commute. It has a neon cover that says in big letters: "You don't know me but you don't like me." I felt like everyone was drawn to reading that cover. It was kind of funny. I do recommend this book. It was informative, interesting, well-written, weird, and very, very funny. The author had a fucked up childhood in a foster care group home, and I think that informs his experience of identifying with other misfits who find a community of band followers that make life meaningful.