"Bertei's writing recalls the hip, young gunslinger era of the NME: Joey Ramone resembled an anorexic hermaphrodite, replete with sex appeal; Alan Vega from Suicide is Al Pacino dolled up as a gay hustler on 53rd and Third."
"They are acutely sensitive to the beauty and terror of life and time, she writes, constantly reaching for a blanket of numb to dull the sting of the night."
"Bertei's own creative awakening comes via the no wave music scene that eventually birthed Sonic Youth, which she describes as being like Dada brutalism and a negation of every way that had come before."
"The challenging nature of the music was an expression of a darker collective reality."
Adele Bertei's memoir recounts her arrival in a struggling 1977 Manhattan, a city marked by financial crisis and creative openness. She immerses herself in the alternative music scene, connecting with counter-culture figures like Lester Bangs and Peter Laughner. Bertei's experiences highlight the beauty and terror of life, as she navigates addiction and artistic expression. Her involvement with the no wave music scene and the Contortions showcases a raw, provocative sound that reflects a deeper societal reality, challenging norms and embracing chaos in the pursuit of creativity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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