Stranded; The Secret History of Australian Independent Music 1977-1991 - Clinton Walker

I'm boning up on the Aussie post-punk scene in anticipation of All Tomorrow's Parties, and this is clearly the best place to start. It is strongest in the earlier parts describing the rise of the Saints and Radio Birdman, and in its profiles of key players like Ed Kuepper and Tex Perkins. As such, it provides a useful antipodean appendix to the more wide-ranging Rip It Up And Start Again.

Unfortunately, the book gets weaker as it goes on, particularly in the increasing insertion of irrelevant and egotistical autobiographical asides.

Anyway, now for me to check out the music itself.