'I was the only out queer guy in rock': Faith No More's Roddy Bottum

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AetherStorm

Roddy Bottum, the veteran keyboardist of Faith No More, never intended to write a memoir. In fact, he's been quoted as saying that "The kind that has pictures in the middle" are his least favorite - predictable, name-droppy, and sub-literature experiences. But when The Royal We came out, it was an autobiographical account that defied those conventions.

Bottum begins by recounting his teenage years in San Francisco's queer culture scene, where he found a sense of community that was all too rare for him growing up in Los Angeles as an openly gay kid. He joined Faith No More, and the band quickly became known for their intense live shows, with Bottum's keyboard playing adding depth to their sound.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. The band's grueling tour schedule took a toll on them, including Bottum himself. In 1993, he overdosed on heroin in New York - an experience that left him shaken and struggling with addiction for years to come. When his father passed away from cancer the following year, Bottum was devastated but also found solace in sobriety.

The Royal We delves into the complexities of Bottum's relationships with his bandmates, particularly Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, who were close friends and confidants during their time together. For Bottum, writing about these experiences has been cathartic - a way to confront his past demons head-on and celebrate his journey towards self-acceptance.

Through The Royal We, Bottum paints a vivid picture of his struggles with shame and homophobia as a young gay man in the 1980s and 1990s. His story is both deeply personal and universally relatable - a testament to the power of vulnerability and honesty in storytelling.

The book also offers insights into Faith No More's tumultuous history, from their early days as a thrash metal band to their eventual transformation into a more experimental, avant-garde group. With its candid portrayal of life on the road, Bottum's experiences are both entertaining and heartbreaking - a true behind-the-scenes look at one of rock music's most iconic bands.

Ultimately, The Royal We is more than just a memoir; it's a celebration of self-discovery and resilience in the face of adversity. For Bottum, writing about his past has been a journey towards healing and redemption - and a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope for a brighter future ahead.

With its unflinching honesty and raw emotion, The Royal We is a must-read for fans of Faith No More and anyone interested in stories of perseverance and self-acceptance.
 
🤘 I'm totally obsessed with Roddy Bottum's memoir - it's like, the ultimate rockstar story 🌟! I love how he dives into his struggles with addiction and shame as a young gay man 🤕, and how he found solace in sobriety and self-acceptance 💖. And can we talk about his experiences with Faith No More? 🎸 Those live shows were legendary! 🤯 The way he writes about Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain's friendship is so interesting - like, who knew they had that deep of a bond? 😍

I also love how Bottum's story is both deeply personal and universally relatable 💭. It's like, anyone who's struggled with identity or addiction can totally relate to his journey 🤝. And the way he weaves in stories from Faith No More's history is like, total goldmine for fans 🎶.

Overall, I'm so glad Bottum decided to write this book - it's like, a true behind-the-scenes look at one of rock music's most iconic bands 📚. If you're a fan of Faith No More or just love a good rockstar story, you gotta read The Royal We 🤘
 
OMG, you guys, I'm literally so inspired by Roddy Bottum's memoir "The Royal We"! 🤯 He's like, totally open about his struggles with addiction, homophobia, and shame, and it's honestly really relatable 😔. I mean, who hasn't felt like they don't quite fit in or that they're struggling to find their place? It's like, Bottum is holding up a mirror to himself and saying "hey, we've all been there" 🌟.

And can we talk about how brave he is for sharing his story, especially when it comes to the more sensitive topics? Like, it takes a lot of courage to be that vulnerable, you know? 💖 I'm literally so grateful that he's doing this because it's like, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope and that we're not alone 🌈.

I'm also loving how he's not afraid to get into all the juicy details about Faith No More's history - it's like, so fascinating! 🤓 I mean, who knew that Kurt Cobain was such a close friend? Or that Courtney Love was like, totally supportive of him? 💕 It's like, Bottum is giving us this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic bands in rock music and it's just... wow 😍.

Anyway, if you haven't read "The Royal We" yet, like, what are you even doing with your life? 🤣 Just kidding, but seriously, go check it out because it's like, honestly a must-read for anyone who loves music, vulnerability, or just learning more about the human experience 💖.
 
just finished reading this memoir by Roddy Bottum, really resonated with me 🤯, as someone who's been through similar struggles with addiction and coming out, it's crazy to think about how far we've come. Bottum's writing is so raw and honest, it's like he's speaking directly to your soul 💔, and I love how he doesn't shy away from sharing the tough stuff - it makes his story even more relatable and inspiring 💪. Faith No More was already an amazing band, but this book takes you behind the scenes and shows you just how much talent and chemistry they had 🎸...
 
I'm low-key impressed by Roddy Bottum's memoir, you know? It's like he's finally shared all the secrets that have been hidden behind his wild stage presence 🤯. I mean, who wouldn't want to read about the highs and lows of being in one of the most iconic bands of the 90s? The way he writes about his struggles with addiction and homophobia is so raw and honest – it's like you're right there with him, feeling all the emotions 🤕. And can we talk about how cool it is that he's finally found a sense of community and acceptance in his life? It's like, we've been waiting for this story to be told for years 💖. But at the same time, I'm also kinda worried about the darker themes he explores – it's like, you can't just gloss over trauma and expect everything to be okay 🤦‍♂️. Still, overall, The Royal We feels like a necessary read for anyone who loves Faith No More or is just looking for a story that'll rip your heart out and put it back together again 💔.
 
you know what's weird I was just thinking about how much I love the sound of old vinyl records 🎶 like, there's something about holding a record and seeing those little pictures on the cover that just feels right? it's like they're saying "hey, this is music, go listen to it" 😊 anyway, I was at a thrift store the other day and I found an old Faith No More CD for like 50 cents 🤑 I couldn't believe my luck! I ended up buying like 10 of them and now I'm stuck with a whole collection of them 🎵
 
This memoir is like a mirror held up to the music industry - you see the glamorized facade and the dark realities underneath 🤘💔 Roddy Bottum's story is both a cautionary tale about the consequences of excess and a testament to the power of redemption and self-acceptance. It's like he's saying, "Hey, I was part of that wild scene in the 80s and 90s, but it wasn't all fun and games - there were struggles with addiction and homophobia, just like there are today." 🌈 The fact that he wrote about these experiences without holding back is what makes this book so impactful. It's a reminder that even in rock 'n' roll, where the excess can be legendary, there's always a human side to the story 🎸
 
😊 I think what really stands out about Roddy Bottum's memoir, The Royal We, is how he bravely shares his struggles with shame, homophobia, and addiction. It's a testament to the power of vulnerability and honesty in storytelling, especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community who often face unique challenges.

The way Bottum weaves together his personal story with the history of Faith No More is really compelling. It's clear that he's not just sharing his own experiences, but also offering insights into the band's tumultuous history and the highs and lows of life on the road.

What I love about this book is that it's not just a nostalgic look back at the band's heyday, but a deeply personal exploration of Bottum's journey towards self-acceptance. It's a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope for a brighter future ahead 🌟.
 
I just finished reading Roddy Bottum's memoir "The Royal We" 📚😍 and I gotta say it's really blew my mind. As a fan of Faith No More, I've always known they were more than just a band, but this book takes you on a wild ride through their history and Bottum's personal struggles 🤯.

Growing up as an openly gay kid in LA was tough for him, but finding his community in San Francisco's queer scene saved him. And man, his relationships with Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain were like two sides of the same coin 💕🎸.

What I love about this book is how honest it is. Bottum isn't afraid to talk about his addiction, his struggles with shame and homophobia, or the toll it took on him and those around him 🤕. It's raw, it's real, and it's relatable.

I'm also super impressed by how much depth he brings to Faith No More's history. From their thrash metal days to their experimental phase, Bottum gives you an inside look at what really went down on the road 🚗.

This book is more than just a memoir, though - it's about hope and resilience in the face of adversity 💫. It's a reminder that even when things seem dark, there's always a way forward. So if you're looking for a must-read, trust me and pick up "The Royal We" 📖👍
 
the fact checker 👀 this book review has me wondering how much of it is actually true... i mean, roddy bottum's story sounds really personal and raw, but are all the details verified? like, did he really overdose on heroin in new york in 1993? or was that just a reported incident that never got picked up by the media?

anyway, even if some of the specifics are fuzzy, i think it's safe to say that bottum's memoir does offer some valuable insights into his experiences as a gay man in the music industry. and let's be real, who wouldn't want to read about the behind-the-scenes of faith no more's crazy tour schedule?

overall, i'd say this book sounds like a wild ride - full of ups and downs, twists and turns. but before we all dive in, fact-checkers unite! 💯
 
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