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POP KIDS (319 pgs)
By Davey Havok
Publisher: Black Candy Publishing Publication Date: April 4, 2013 Price: $20.00/ trade paperback original ISBN: 978-0-9859572-0-9 Book Signing Pop Kids book signing with Davey Havok at The Standard, Hollywood, on April 4th, 2013.
Book signing at 8pm, followed by a reading and Q&A with the author. |
Davey Havok was my Morrissey. Some of my closest friends are ones that share the same affection for AFI. I have searched high and low for b-sides of AFI, I've driven through middle America to follow them on tour. I have permanently inked AFI on my skin.
I was hoping to draw parallels to AFI's first two albums with Davey Havok's first novel, Pop Kids. I couldn't have been more wrong. Behind the pink door cover of the book, AFI doesn't exist; instead pop music from Katy Perry to the Smiths is the soundtrack for the character in this book.
There are so many references from Britpop groups to modern day pop music, the author knows his audience. I am surprised that Davey can throw in so much music reference that I know exactly what it means. Do you know Steve Aoki, Marina and the Diamonds, Deadmau5, Bat for Lashes, Katy Perry, and The Smiths? This book doesn't dumb down your musical knowledge, it supports it.
"It smells like a trunk filled with vintage Smiths tees." describing the musky smell of the Hotel. Brilliant. Every pop culture reference that is thrown in, it feels as if Davey Havok wrote this for me.
The book starts off as a slice of modern technological teen angst Americana that spirals to a trashy sleaze novel. Basic outline is the main character "Score" influenced by modern technology e.g. iPhones, social networks, internet porn, TMZ, etc., throws some "bitchin' parties." None of the characters practice anything close to monogamy, with their false delusions of grandeur. The angst, the false hope of real love, all encompassing this tale of sex parties.
I feel characters are uneven- I cannot picture someone so into Moz and not be depressed in some way. These modern day nihilistic teens make me hate them, at the same time wish I was them. Totally despising them and relating to them makes me realize how adulthood has changed me.
I believe it's a planned trilogy, but after this one, I feel like I need to take a cold shower.
I was hoping to draw parallels to AFI's first two albums with Davey Havok's first novel, Pop Kids. I couldn't have been more wrong. Behind the pink door cover of the book, AFI doesn't exist; instead pop music from Katy Perry to the Smiths is the soundtrack for the character in this book.
There are so many references from Britpop groups to modern day pop music, the author knows his audience. I am surprised that Davey can throw in so much music reference that I know exactly what it means. Do you know Steve Aoki, Marina and the Diamonds, Deadmau5, Bat for Lashes, Katy Perry, and The Smiths? This book doesn't dumb down your musical knowledge, it supports it.
"It smells like a trunk filled with vintage Smiths tees." describing the musky smell of the Hotel. Brilliant. Every pop culture reference that is thrown in, it feels as if Davey Havok wrote this for me.
The book starts off as a slice of modern technological teen angst Americana that spirals to a trashy sleaze novel. Basic outline is the main character "Score" influenced by modern technology e.g. iPhones, social networks, internet porn, TMZ, etc., throws some "bitchin' parties." None of the characters practice anything close to monogamy, with their false delusions of grandeur. The angst, the false hope of real love, all encompassing this tale of sex parties.
I feel characters are uneven- I cannot picture someone so into Moz and not be depressed in some way. These modern day nihilistic teens make me hate them, at the same time wish I was them. Totally despising them and relating to them makes me realize how adulthood has changed me.
I believe it's a planned trilogy, but after this one, I feel like I need to take a cold shower.
Pop Kids among AFI album sleeves |
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