Book Review

I must offer full disclosure before reviewing Roger L. Trott’s book, Getting in Tune. I myself grew up in Northern California, all my guy friends were in bands, and I desperately love The Who. So when I picked up this rock fiction book about a band from a small northern California town with a main character that worships Pete Townshend, I had a sneaking suspicion I’d love it.

Set in the late 70’s, Getting in Tune tells the story of Daniel Travers, a guitar player whose wrestling with his demons. He’s also struggling to find a way to get his band, the Killjoys, their big break. That break comes in the form of a week long gig in Puente Harbor, Washington, at a hole in the wall called the Mai Tai hotel. The Mai Tai, where supposedly both Jimi Hendrix and Heart played before making it big.

Conflicts within the band already have Daniel on edge, but when a punk princess, an older sex kitten, and the wrath of the Hells Angels all coming crashing down, Daniel finds only one thing to see him through. The music.

Trott’s writing is simple, and it’s obvious from page one that the book you’re reading has been written by someone who has lived the life. It’s Trott’s own personal experiences that enable him to so perfectly capture what it feels like to be in a band. This is one of those music books that are about as necessary to any book collection as Houses of The Holy is to any album collection. Yes, I’m that serious.

Anyone who has ever used music to help pull them through the darker days of youth will find a piece of them spelled out in Getting in Tune. A must read for every music lover.