RRPG author and long-time RC Residents expert-inresidence, Ian Shirley has finally followed through on his promise to put down on paper the thoughts that clutter up his mind. And for anyone who has dared tread the boards in a rock band, the humour found within will ring all too painfully true.
While it’s far from an on the road musical account (the main band in the book, Plunder, are actually global megastars and not struggling wannabes), their exploits in hotel rooms and backstage are acutely observed by Shirley. But then everything flips, and suddenly the reader is taken into space, then to some medieval kingdom where men fear for their ankles while fighting dragons with talking swords. Yes, it’s a complex ride, but one that’s carried off with just enough sci-fi know-how to work.
It’s not derogatory to compare this debut to that of another great misunderstood rock mind, The Adventures Of Lord Iffy Boatrace by Bruce Dickinson. There’s an English sense of farce backed up by a strong knowledge of the world of rock in both tomes, and you can’t get more record collector-esqe than that really, can you?
