Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin has written a number of books, but this is the first time he has published his reminiscences of his time in The Screaming Trees, which encompassed most of their major label period in the 90s.   Martin joined the band after the release of their 1991 album Uncle Anesthesia, and remained with them until they split.  Much of the book involves fighting and the craziness of being in a band as the Seattle hype machine went into overdrive.  There are some hilarious tales in here but also plenty of hard luck stories, the band’s career is pretty much one long hard luck story.  Mark Lanegan’s drug problems are referred to here but not in great detail, having already been written about extensively in Langan’s own book.

Although it’s probably only of interest to fans of 90s rock, it’s well-written and the type of book that once you start it, you won’t want to put it down. It’s an interesting counterpoint to the late Mark Lanegan’s book.  With Van Conner also having passed away, unless Gary Lee Conner decides to write a book this is probably the last word on the Screaming Trees.