Memoir of a Roadie. Have You Read It?

Between playing Ghost of Tsushima and actual work, I’ve been reading Memoir of a Roadie, by Joel Miller. Though I write an excessive amount of words, I don’t consume them as much as I’d like – often loitering around alternative news sites and the odd magazine when time permits.

However, after reading a Stone Temple Pilots (STP) reference, I thought I’d give it a chance and say it paid off as I finished the 500 odd pages last night.

In a former life, before fraternising with fellow lily wrist bloggers, freelancers and general cut-my-own-throat-web-design-gigs, I wanted to be a roadie. At least, until my careers advisor gave me a grilling and said that it was a useless, thankless job. What was the point of me putting in five years of secondary education to then throw it all away and lug speakers about? As a teen, this put me off, and I never pursued it. Whether that was because he had a point or I was trying to make him happy, I don’t know.

The roadie life, according to Miller – or as his co-workers refer to as ‘Rifkin’ is … kinda… the stereotype one would assume of a rock roadie. Booze, women, and caveman undertones. Detailing everything that went on in the book won’t necessarily ruin it (there are a lot of pages – you can’t whittle that down to one post); I’d rather glaze over most of it in fear of spoiling it for you.

In short, Miller finds himself in the profession through a family acquaintance. Not knowing much about the music industry other than being a passive listener and mates with a few bands, he fakes it until he makes it. In his time, he secured a gig, so to speak, as staff for an STP tour, then later added Guns ‘N Roses to his belt (when they had Buckethead).

There are a few technical terms that I, once again, glazed over, but nothing complex. Despite being a thankless job as my careers advisor would have me believe it was, it makes for an entertaining read. The title Memoir of a Roadie could imply an illustrious career – especially when you see the likes of STP, GNR and The Cranberries on the setlist. Even NSYNC makes an appearance. However, Miller’s career was only for a couple of years tops. There are some decent anecdotes, but nothing as epic as: 

Well, instead of a guard dog, they’ve got this bloody great big Bengal tiger. I managed to take out the tiger with a can of mace, but the shopowner and his son… that’s a different story altogether. I had to beat them to death with their own shoes.

Del Preston, Legend

As Miller writes the book himself, it’s easy to reflect on past experiences with a somewhat skewed recollection. While at an advantage to put himself in a humbling light, his account is honest, and he quite frankly comes across as a bit of a dick. A likeable dick at that. Wait a second – don’t quote me on that.

His work ethic was erratic – being meticulous in fulfilling his role and ensuring the safety of the bands and the crew and going flat out each night. Still, he’d behave like a petulant child with the infamous shoulder shrug and “It’s not my problem” when things weren’t going his way. His relationship with his father was indifferent, which I’m sure wasn’t the case, but reading it felt a little off. But we’re judging that purely on my standards. 

But I finished the book. Not for the inside information on the backstage shenanigans or reading out of courtesy – Miller has an easy to read style which often made me laugh or helped construct a scene so vividly. I don’t want to see what his boss Caesar looks like in real life as I have a clear image in my mind’s eye, and it would be shattered to find out he’s probably 4ft 5in and built like a whippet and doesn’t look like a giant version of Machete.

The only question left unanswered at the end of Memoir of a Roadie was how was Miller affected by the death of Scott Weiland? Based on how he addresses grief in the story, I don’t think he’d have any problem writing about it, but curious nevertheless.

Overall, it was a good read, and that next recommendation was a book by Dave Mustaine of Megadeth. Perhaps that’s next? Dave Grohl’s book was interesting, so let’s stick with the rock theme. Now, back to Ghost of Tsushima…

Memoir of a Roadie is available at all good bookshops. You’ll note I’m not mentioning Amazon. Shit.