Rock Bottom

Michael Schilling
Back Bay Books (2009)
ISBN 9780316031929
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (2/09)

“Rock Bottom” is a hard-hitting novel that covers the sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle (in that order) of the band Blood Orphans. The band is in Amsterdam on their final day of a two-year tour. Traveling together, living together, making music together has taken its toll on this four-piece band. Shane, Darlo, Adam, and Bobby have had enough of each other and this tour. They are ready to head back to L.A. as soon as possible. But first they must make it through this last day.

Michael Schilling has expertly written a novel that covers the entire drama of what this band has been through together, plus some of their life before Blood Orphans, all while taking place over the span of one single day.  On top of that, each chapter is told by the point of view of a different band member or their female manager, Joey. Schilling’s writing had to be tight to pull that off while providing full character sketches and a complete story, and he did it amazingly well.

Schilling not only knew how to write this story, he also knew what he was writing about. The nitty gritty of life from the perspective of a young band who has made it to the top and is toppling from the mountain just as fast. The anger, bitterness, hatred, and rage are all out there in this darkly comic tale. A dream come true reveals its nightmarish side.

I enjoyed “Rock Bottom” for so many reasons. As I read about the downward spiral of Blood Orphans, I was hearing my husband and his band mates talk about the road to success that they were planning. Arguing over the perfect band name, deciding which covers to start with, defining their style. It all seemed so innocent and optimistic. Much the same as I expect Blood Orphans began. To read about the dark side of the music business while listening to that at the same time was amusing to me.

Although it seems I am portraying this book as dark and negative, the final day of the tour has its upside as well. New relationships are made, old ones are mended, both good and bad memories surface, and new beginnings lie ahead. Michael Schilling has really created something special and unique in this novel. “Rock Bottom” is unlike any other book I have ever read. It will stick with me for some time to come. Rock on, Michael Schilling!

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