Michael HannCritiques

A very thorough history of The Hold Steady, perfect for fans of the band. As a fan of indie music who grew up in the twin cities area it felt almost compulsory to listen to them, so reading through this and getting the inside view on the creation of a local legend was a fun experience.

A long and detailed book about a band with a complex story -- a perfect match.

I love all of the very short stories in chapter 12 from people in "the scene" as they describe how the band has touched them. The photographs are sharp and well-chosen (which not every book about a band can say!). I wish there was more about Finn's early time in the Twin Cities and at Boston College, but I suppose the real subject is The Hold Steady so it's a small quibble.

This will be enjoyed by fans of the band, and also people who were into music during those years.½

This is a well-produced and well-illustrated compendium that covers the genesis and evolution of the Hold Steady. They've been around, paid dues, and, indeed, they hold. Longtime fans will really enjoy this intimate accountr

A coffee table book about American rock band The Hold Steady? Why not. This oral history about the band originally from Minneapolis is not so much about the music as it is about the personal history of the band members and their various struggles. Voices of the fans are interspersed so we don't miss What This Band Means to Them. Beautifully printed, members of the nation of fans known as the "Unified Scene" will find this a worthwhile addition to their music shelves. The photographs are beautiful, but since the book has no captions, the reader doesn't know who they are looking at (or where or when). An odd omission for such an otherwise meticulous production. Rock on!

My husband and I lived in Brooklyn about the same time as the rise of The Hold Steady and their music is a big part of the soundtrack of that time of our lives. We loved this book because it evoked many of those memories and also filled in gaps in our knowledge about the band. Yes we knew there was probably some deep issues with substance abuse based on lyrics, but the oral history certainly confirmed actual out-of control wasted-ness. Loved the photos, did find that certain formatting choices made a few pages a challenge to read. They have tons of dates in Brooklyn, but hoping they have a show pop up on the schedule of a venue in our area soon!

Never heard of this band til I received this book to read and review.
The members working together to make music and take what they have heard from other bands plus adding their experiences to them to make a powerful message and great songs. I like how the one band member added a Christian music twist to the songs. So glad that the band wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and you can tell that by some of the letters they added in the back of the book.
Well written with nice touch and flare of the band members, producers, etc. words thrown in.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the darker pages were harder to read from.

A well put together hard-back book of the life and times of the band "The Hold Steady" as told by the band members. Some pages of the book were difficult to read due to the background color and font, but overall an enjoyable book.

We Are All The Hold Steady

Review: "The Gospel of The Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels"
by Michael Hann and The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady, described by many as the world’s best bar band outside of E Street, releases a new book on July 25, 2023 that delves deeply into the stories behind the band and its loyal fans. The physical book is gorgeous. The story of the band and their passionate fans blazes across the volume from the first page to the last. Over two hundred expertly composed photographs capture The Hold Steady on stage and off with a proper smattering of confetti strewn floors.

The history of The Hold Steady is told through interviews with the band members and those who were there behind the scenes. From their Midwest roots to their adopted Brooklyn home, the members of The Hold Steady open up about the struggles and triumphs of creating, performing, and promoting their music. Lead singer and lyricist Craig Finn opens the book with a heartfelt introduction. “The Hold Steady didn’t change my life, it is my life.”, Craig writes. And then says, “And if you’ve read this far, it’s likely yours too. Our songs are mainly fiction, but they try to be very honest at the same time. So, at the end of each show, we say and scream and shout all together a benediction: “We Are All The Hold Steady!”

In "The Gospel of The Hold Steady", we hear from the members of the group as they describe the birth of the band. The Hold Steady’s origin story is built on the ashes of Craig Finn’s earlier band Lifter Puller and the Minneapolis, Minnesota indie music scene. After Lifter Puller broke up, Craig moved to New York. Bassist Galen Polivka, whose old band had played with Craig’s band in Minneapolis, had also moved to New York and sowed some early seeds for The Hold Steady by exclaiming to Craig at a club in NYC that “If you want to start something musically, I’m in, and I’d love to play bass for you.” Drummer Judd Counsell joined the early phase of The Hold Steady along with guitarist Tad Kubler. Craig writes that the music they had in common was Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, and Zeppelin. Craig explains that “Being Midwestern was something that made us unique.” After gigging in Brooklyn and NYC, The Hold Steady was ready to record their first album "Almost Killed Me" and keyboardist, writer, and university lecturer Franz Nicolay joined the band. Their inaugural album was released in March 2004 and the word began to spread. Drummer Bobby Drake flew out from Minnesota to replace Judd Counsell on the upcoming tour. The Hold Steady brought their mix of beautiful loser Midwest tales, infused with Brooklyn Indie, and garnished with Classic Rock riffs to the “not so wholesome heartland” of America.

The voices of the fans – The Unified Scene – are also found in the book. The last chapter gathers a collection of personal stories from fans that describe what The Hold Steady means to them.
Rob Sheffield writes that “Every fan has their own stories, their own songs, the favorites we cling to like patron saints.”

Craig writes in "The Gospel of The Hold Steady", “that a rock band is in a race against time.” We join Craig and the band on their existential quest as they struggle to find meaning and joy through their insightful lyrics and raucous music. "The Gospel of The Hold Steady" is the perfect companion volume for this quest.

Highly Recommended!

LT-ER. A thorough telling of the life and evolution of The Hold Steady. The members of the band tell the story in their own words, no holds barred, the good times and the bad, life on the road, their mistakes, their triumphs. An eye opening look at the music business. Well written with lots of candid photos.