Slash
by Slash with Anthony Bozza

Published – 2007 by Harper Collins Publishers

When Slash announced he was releasing an autobiography he was quick to point out that it wasn’t for financial gain but just to tell his side of the story and dispel some of the “bullshit” flying around.

To an extent he achieved that but without really going into as much detail as someone might usually feel inclined to do. I enjoyed reading it as I do any rock n roll biography but I felt a little short changed. Not that I was expecting Slash to air all his dirty laundry, I’m not interested in that, but a little more insight would have been good. That and changing names to obviously protect certain people was a little frustrating.

For the most part it tells an interesting story and a lot is dedicated to Guns N Roses, but a little more on Velvet Revolver and Slash’s Snakepit would have been good too. A few more details on the various recording sessions and tours could have been interesting as well but I guess you’ve got to keep in mind that this is Slash, he’s had a few drinks and tried a few drugs in his time so the memory would be a little hazy.

It’s interesting, but I came across a few errors and spelling mistakes that clearly is the fault of the publishers. Not sure what was going on there but hopefully they fix that in later editions. Also the structure within the chapters was a little disjointed and at times hard to follow but you get the picture and I suppose that’s all that counts.

I know it seems I’m slagging the book off a fair bit but of course I’m happy to have read it and won’t discourage anyone from spending some cash on an otherwise good read. The above is just what you should be aware of before getting too excited. Overall it was a good read, just not a great one, but every book can’t always be ‘The Dirt’ and ‘Slash’ serves its intended purpose of “clearing a few things up”.

Visit: www.velvetrevolver.com – www.slashonline.com

Dirty Rock review by ‘Jonni Starr’ 2007