Book Reviews

Fat Bloke Thin Book - Review by Dolf

If you have no idea who Arturo Bassick is, he is of the Lurkers and 999. A musician/punk who has been around since day one and tells you the story "of his life of total glamour and untold riches in the entertainment industry". But it is much more than this, since Arturo begins with his birth in the mid 50's and tells about his childhood, growing up in London without hot running water and such. Rather interesting read I had to admit while reading it.

Soon after that punk happens and Arturo writes about his adventures with bands. This book is far from "complete", since Arturo says he is way too lazy to write it all down and I have to say it was probably a good decsion, since the shortness of the stories keeps the reader's attention from start to finnish. And I doubt that would have been the case if the book had every single gig listed Bassick played with all the storyies around them. No, this is short and sharp, like a punk song and a nice read. Even if you are not a big fan of his bands or that area.

But it is a nice incomplete biography of a bloke who has been there early and lived a interesting life and did some partying. The author also speaks his mind about certain subjects of politcal nature or morals and I'd say I agree with him on most of what he thinks.

The book has 110 pages, is small ( 170 x 120 ) and paperback. There is also tons of newspaper clippings, photos, flyers, art, etc. so you got plenty to look at. I was not expecting much reading this, but after I did, I was glad I did so.

It is self published so you will not find it in your regular bookstore, but can get it from him directly for £7.50 plus £1.00 p&p.
Bassick Publications, 34 Newholme Avenue , Haltwhistle NE49 9ET, United Kingdom

FAT BLOKE THIN BOOK - Review by www.scannerzine.com

I think Arturo Bassick, mainstay of the LURKERS and bassist in 999, would be the first to admit that he himself is not a ‘Punk Legend’ per se. Who Arturo is, is someone who was there when Punk hit in ‘77 and has been playing away in Punk bands in clubs, pubs and halls around the world ever since for one reason: the sheer love of it. As a bonus, he has contributed to some damn fine albums along the way. He is also one of the most affable and likable guys you’re ever likely to meet. Get the picture? Art’s a good guy and this book demonstrates his wit with suitable aplomb.

Arturo doesn’t hide anything here. The book takes us back to his birth in 1956 with relatively detailed insight into his parents and school life and leads on to a horrific spell in hospital. When writing about his musical tastes, it’s also refreshing to read that his discovery of Punk is not treated as a ‘Year Zero’ moment as so many seem to eulogise about - although his early obsession with THE STRANGLERS certainly proved to be a precursor to his love of Punk. Arturo was heavily into music long before Punk - although it is with the formation of the LURKERS that the book really takes off. From there he continues through PIN POINT, the BLUBBERY HELLBELLIES, 999 and finally full-circle back to the reformation of THE LURKERS. There’s plenty of hilarious stories, opinions and the classic good-natured Arturo charm.

Running alongside the music are details of his private life including his love of retired racing Greyhounds, his attempt at a horse-drawn tourism venture in the north of England, a few political and personal observations and many other anecdotal incidents.
Not only has this got an excellent, concise text in which Arturo has packed a wealth of information, but the book is interspred with reviews, interviews and news clippings from the music press of the day. Again, Arturo has given the negative reviews as much space as the positive and these cuttings lend greater factual sincerity to an already very impressive book. It’s all rounded off with an Arturo discography and ‘Favourite Things’ listings.

The book is also published in true DIY fashion via Arturo’s very own Bassick Publications.
It’s not pretentious or self-aggrandising book, the story flows in a way that makes the reader want to continue reading, it’s funny and factual and, as would be expected, Punk personalities aplenty get mentioned. For anyone who is into ‘77 Punk, this comes as a highly recommended read.

Fat Bloke Thin Book - Review by Maindy

In the late seventies the flood gates opened and gave anyone with an ounce of passion a sense of worth. No longer was the arts the domain of the virtuoso. It was the dawning of a new era for many. If you could get to grips with the rudiments of an instrument, then you could join a band. You could pick up a brush and create art, pick up a pen and be a writer. For the first time enthusiasm was just as important as talent.

This was punk, and with that in mind this is a punk book.

So if anyone is looking for a work of high literature, then Salman Rushdie will be the man to give you a quick fix. If however you are looking for a book that's the equivalent of sitting reminiscing with a mate in the pub, then Arturo has written the one for you.
It has got a rough narrative to it, but there's no hurry to get to the end of a journey that takes in the early punk years, (that for once isn't completely London-centric) his time with the Lurkers and 999, and plenty of other little points where he wander off on one anecdote or another.

It's the sort of book that when you say I'm about to slip into something more comfortable you could be talking about it. Arturo himself comes across as a sort of everyman here, and within the pages of this book there are plenty of bit's and bobs that we can all identify with.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and reckon Arturo should use it as a rough draft for a more in depth attempt. I'd certainly buy it if he did. A surprisingly enjoyable read.

Fat Bloke Thin Book - Review by Tony Beesley www.ourgenerationpunkandmod.co.uk

'Refreshing and painfullingly honest and a gritty and very human story'

There aren't many totally genuine guys in the quagmire of the modern Rock music scene, but true to it's basic premise Punk rock provides one fella who is as honest as they come - Arthur Billingsley also known as Arturo Bassick...full time Lurker and 999 member and ex of the much under-rated late 70's Punk band 'Pinpoint' as well as a Blueberry Hellbellie back in the 80's. Here in 'Fat Bloke, Thin Book' Arturo tells his life story within a book that you can keep in your pocket: enabling you to pull it out and read at your own free will - on the bus, sneaking a read at work or with a can of beer in the other hand. It's small in size but massive in heart and downright honest story telling!

Art tells us briefly and interestingly - but often poignantly, sad, occasionally tragic and funny in turns - of his upbringing, his first forays into the world of Rock music via skinhead fashion through 70's Prog Rock right through to his first initiation into Punk rock and becoming first a fan of that scene and then a bass playing Lurker. The whole Punk era flys by with tales of gigs, following the Stranglers, bass playing with the Lurkers and being described by one ill-informed DJ in Lancaster of being in 'some shit Punk band from London' How wrong could the man be?.There are Art's stories involving Lurkers fan Stuart Pearce (yes that Stuart Pearce), his appearance in celebrated Punk film 'Punk In london', pissing Sting and Adam Ant off ,auditioning for the Buzzcocks and forming Pinpoint. Its all written in a 'I Can't put this book down' kind of way.

Amongst the many stories from the Punk days and onwards are many clippings from the music weeklies of the day..records and gig reviews, ads and more... followed by tales of Arturo's 80's bands and journey's through country and western with a Punk attitude interpsersed with heaps of boozed up tours and nights across the country and Europe . But it is the way the story is told that is the true atraction to this book. Arturo tells it as it is...no hairs and graces or back slapping anecdotes to fellow musicians...just a honest to the bone account of being a music fan first and talented musician second.

In addition to all of the music related tales are some of Art's poetry, his opinions on a few untapped slants into the pyschosis of Rock music fans and their often unrecognised idolising through wanting to be their heroes - some of Art's rants really do make you think and question the issues raised and can make you wonder what all of the real appeal is for loving and living with Rock music and all of it's related Rock n' Roll fantasies...Yes 'Fat Bloke Thin Book' manages not only to grip, amuse, endear and excite the reader ... but amazingly within such a small size book - full and compact with countless empthatic tales - it raises some very intriguing points; leaving you to ponder on for much time afterwards. This is a book rich in it's tapestry, Punk rock in its approach and realism and MASSIVE in its' very real human heart. Go on buy the book and make this old Punk's day!