It's a great title, isn't it? How can you not want to read a book with a title like that?
Toby Litt's novel tells the story of Clap, the eponymous drummer from world famous Canadian indie rock band okay (no capitals, always italics), and his three bandmates Mono, Crab and egotistical sexgod frontman Syph. It's an episodic story that favours individual scenes rather than an overall story arch (notably many of the individual chapters appear to have been published as self-contained short stories) tracking the band's journey from bedroom rehearsal beginnings to stadium conquering sell-outs through sex, drugs and plenty of rock 'n' roll insanity. At times the fractured nature of the storytelling distances us from the actual story - this is hardly what I'd call a page turner - but the characters are well drawn and there are some amusing and even touching anecdotes. Most powerful is the chapter about a young boy who keeps following the band around on tour, turning up backstage, at clubs, parties, wherever they go, even though he's only 6 years old. The revelation of his true identity is a real choker.
I Play The Drums In A Band Called Okay doesn't quite live up to its title then... but damn it, what would?
