Roddy Bottum, the keyboardist for the influential rock band Faith No More, has just published his memoir "The Royal We," a candid and deeply personal account of his life that spans from his teenage years in San Francisco to his struggles with addiction, his experiences as a gay man in the music industry, and his friendships with icons like Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
Growing up in Los Angeles was an 'abrupt about-face' for Bottum, who relocated to San Francisco at 13 to escape what he describes as the "sunny superficiality" of LA. The city's queer culture was a revelation for him, its vibrant, open, and accepting nature a world away from the stifling conformity of his hometown.
It was in this new environment that Bottum found his musical calling with Faith No More, joining the band in 1981 alongside Billy Gould and Mike Bordin. While they achieved mainstream success and even landed a Grammy nomination for their album 'The Real Thing', it was an experience marked by tension, drama, and even outright hostility from some quarters.
Bottum's relationship with his bandmates was complex, to say the least; he never revealed his sexuality to them until after coming out in 1993. It was only then that his true self emerged fully, allowing him to form close bonds with those around him who accepted his identity without reservation.
At the heart of "The Royal We" is Bottum's journey as a gay man in America during the 1980s and '90s, an era characterized by widespread homophobia, ignorance, and hostility. Yet, through his experiences, he finds moments of joy, love, acceptance, and redemption – like his remarkable friendship with Kurt Cobain.
For Bottum, writing this memoir was a therapeutic process, one that allowed him to confront the darkness of his past, exorcise the demons of shame and self-loathing, and emerge stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. It is this courage, in particular, that defines "The Royal We," an extraordinary book that not only illuminates Bottum's own story but also offers a powerful testament to the resilience and beauty of human life.
When asked about his motivations for writing the book, Bottum emphasizes the need to challenge societal norms and question authority. His intention is both personal and political, using his platform as a rock star to subvert expectations and push boundaries – or, in his words, "fuck off" to those who would seek to silence him.
Ultimately, "The Royal We" is an inspiring story of self-discovery, redemption, and the power of art to shape our lives and transform our world.
Growing up in Los Angeles was an 'abrupt about-face' for Bottum, who relocated to San Francisco at 13 to escape what he describes as the "sunny superficiality" of LA. The city's queer culture was a revelation for him, its vibrant, open, and accepting nature a world away from the stifling conformity of his hometown.
It was in this new environment that Bottum found his musical calling with Faith No More, joining the band in 1981 alongside Billy Gould and Mike Bordin. While they achieved mainstream success and even landed a Grammy nomination for their album 'The Real Thing', it was an experience marked by tension, drama, and even outright hostility from some quarters.
Bottum's relationship with his bandmates was complex, to say the least; he never revealed his sexuality to them until after coming out in 1993. It was only then that his true self emerged fully, allowing him to form close bonds with those around him who accepted his identity without reservation.
At the heart of "The Royal We" is Bottum's journey as a gay man in America during the 1980s and '90s, an era characterized by widespread homophobia, ignorance, and hostility. Yet, through his experiences, he finds moments of joy, love, acceptance, and redemption – like his remarkable friendship with Kurt Cobain.
For Bottum, writing this memoir was a therapeutic process, one that allowed him to confront the darkness of his past, exorcise the demons of shame and self-loathing, and emerge stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. It is this courage, in particular, that defines "The Royal We," an extraordinary book that not only illuminates Bottum's own story but also offers a powerful testament to the resilience and beauty of human life.
When asked about his motivations for writing the book, Bottum emphasizes the need to challenge societal norms and question authority. His intention is both personal and political, using his platform as a rock star to subvert expectations and push boundaries – or, in his words, "fuck off" to those who would seek to silence him.
Ultimately, "The Royal We" is an inspiring story of self-discovery, redemption, and the power of art to shape our lives and transform our world.
. As someone who's experienced their own share of struggles with identity and finding one's voice, I can appreciate the courage it takes to confront such darkness head-on. The way he weaves together his experiences as a gay man in the music industry, particularly during the 80s and 90s, is both poignant and powerful. It's a testament to the resilience of human life that even amidst societal homophobia and ignorance, Bottum found moments of joy, love, and acceptance 
. What I find most inspiring about 'The Royal We' is the way it challenges societal norms and pushes boundaries – it's a powerful reminder that our stories have the power to shape our lives and transform the world around us 
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. It's crazy how much he went through as a gay man in the music industry during that era, it's like, whoa 
. I love how he's using his platform to challenge societal norms and question authority, it's like, totally necessary 
. What I'm most looking forward to is seeing how this memoir inspires people to be more open and accepting of themselves and others 
. Can't wait to dive into "The Royal We" and read about his experiences firsthand 
I'm literally shook by Roddy Bottum's story 
he went through so much for his identity as a gay man in the music industry back then it's wild that he had to keep it hidden from his bandmates like that 
his experience with Kurt Cobain though is just so beautiful 
they were more than just friends, they were this otherworldly connection 
I love how he's not afraid to challenge societal norms and expectations 
his memoir should be required reading for everyone 
this guy Roddy Bottum's memoir sounds like a wild ride 
i mean who wouldn't want to read about growing up in LA and then finding solace in San Francisco's queer culture 
i'm intrigued by his relationship with Kurt Cobain tho 
what was that like? 
he talks about finding solace in san francisco's queer culture which was like a breath of fresh air compared to la's superficiality 
anyway what struck me most is how raw and honest he is about his struggles with addiction and shame, it's crazy to see how far he's come 
overall it's an incredible book that's both personal and political, like bottum says "fuck off" to those who'd seek to silence him 
. Bottum's story is wild tho - from sunny la to queer sf, he found his tribe and music in all the right places 
but what really gets me is how he uses his platform to challenge societal norms and push boundaries - it's like he's saying "fuck yeah" to himself and everyone else who's ever been marginalized 
. Bottum's book sounds like a powerful exploration of identity, shame, and redemption – can't wait to dive in and read it 
. I love how he credits that community for helping him find his musical calling and form meaningful relationships with people who accepted him for who he is 
. This book is definitely on my reading list – I'm excited to dive into his journey and be inspired by his story 
it's awesome that he wrote it as a way to challenge societal norms and push boundaries – we need more of that! 
. Bottum's writing process is so inspiring - like, using his platform to subvert expectations and push boundaries? that's what we need more of in this world 
. All those years ago, he was part of that super influential band Faith No More, but what they don't tell you is that he was always playing both sides. I mean, think about it, he moved to San Francisco at 13 to escape LA, and then he joins this band with Billy Gould and Mike Bordin... sounds like a setup for some deep-seated rebellion 
. Bottum's been singing about the struggles of being gay in America since '93, and I'm convinced he was doing it for more than just himself. There's gotta be some bigger agenda at play here 
. Bottum's all about pushing boundaries and challenging authority, but what if that's just his way of keeping us in the dark? I mean, have you seen the title of this book? It's like he's winking at us, saying "I'm gonna make you see things my way, even if it means messing with your mind 
. Don't just take his story at face value, man. There's some deep stuff going on here 
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