Never Known Questions: Five Decades of The Residents Paperback – February 1, 2016

I've been a huge fan of The Residents for nearly 40 years. In the world of Resident’s fans, I am what you might call a “Classic-Era Snob.” While I consider them to be one of the most important bands in contemporary music, I much prefer their older material, and really have no interest in their work after, say, “God in 3 Persons” (1986).This book provides some insight into the deepest secrets of the group. Particularly of interest to me was the documenting of The Residents' meetings and collaborations with many other artists of the avant garde music scene over the decades, and the insights into their composing and recording processes - particularly in the early pre-digital days.While the book doesn't exactly blow the lid off their identities, that particular info has been more or less agreed upon for quite some time, and, reading between the lines, no one should have any further questions... about THAT, at least!For the uninitiated, The Residents were one of the most influential groups of the post punk era, with their mythology being a source of endless debate. This book does not end the debates by any means... but even someone like me who has been studying this group for decades will find shocking (and not so shocking) revelations abound.Is it a great book? No, it is not. The writing is pretty bland, typos and uncredited quotations abound. Margaret Smik’s character is referred to as both “Peggy” and “Penny Honeydew” - sometimes both on the same page! Some of the author’s conclusions - based on his misreading of lyrics - are pretty dubious. In fact, the "book" reads more like an article you'd see in a music publication, and is really just a series of essays crying out for someone to weave them together into a comprehensive whole.The book more than makes up for this in the sheer volume of insider information on the group. And, in my case, the second half of the book gave me a new appreciation for their later work - which I had before considered musically inferior to their early stuff.An absolute must have if you're a fan, but even if you've never heard of them... as long as you love music or are interested in pop culture and the artist's reaction to it... it's worth checking out.

Excellent and well written overview of maybe the most interesting group ever! The Residents are a perfect example of "DIY" "Outsider Art". Ian Shirley definitely loves the group and managed to get interviews with a large number of collaborators and friends from across the 40+ year span of Residents history and has turned out what may be the definitive book about the Eyeball Boys. Indispensable for Residents fans and very interesting reading for anyone interested in the music business.

This is by far the best book on the Residents out there.

I have absolutely no idea what this book is about, but my niece asked for it for her birthday, and she was thrilled with it! So I'd have to say it's a fantastic book, based on that.

If you are in any phase of Residents fascination, this book is a must. So much great information that, along with the liner notes in the latest reissues, will give you as whole a picture of the Rezzies as you'll get anywhere.

Fairly comprehensive history with sine new insight. Made me pull out some cds I hadn't listened to in awhile. Like reconnecting with old friends

A well balanced and researched biography taking in the career of the Residents to 2014 or so. An essential read for old and new fans I think.

I have been amazed by (and somewhat obsessed with) this "band" for over 20 years now. This book is a great overview of the band's past, present, and future, featuring quite a lot of information I had not previously known.

Imagine how hard it is to chronicle the career of a group who never grant interviews. 43 years of creativity with nothing/nobody to explain or guide the brave soul who decides to invest their time in following their exploits. Well, Ian Shirley offers a valiant attempt to make sense of the eyeballed ones, and does so exceedingly well.His subject is addressed with obvious enthusiasm, and the humour with which he writes makes this a hugely entertaining read. Packed with interviews and facts (such as they are), Shirley takes us on a journey that is fast moving and of interest to both those who have been listening for decades and for those who wish to immerse their toes in all things Residential.There were numerous points where I found myself chuckling at some of the anecdotes, the situations the artists have found themselves in, and the obvious relish with which they have cooked and served us an audio/visual banquet since the release of the Santa Dog ep in 1972.That they have achieved such a staggering amount of product is even more impressive when one considers that it has all been done on their own terms. Shirley’s narrative is always aware of this and one can feel how finely tuned he is to their raison d’etre.This year saw the release of The Theory of Obscurity, a feature length documentary film that shares a similar sense of fun. But 43 years of activity is so difficult to compress into 87 minutes. Never Known Questions, then, is a useful complement in that it chronologically explains the many projects that have emerged in that time.Highly recommended.

What is there not to like. The long awaited renewed version. Everything you (n)ever wanted to know and some things you did(n't) too. The fact that I get a mention, not in name but by action made my jaw-drop! I had actually forgotten about it as it happened so long ago so I thank Homer Flynn for his memory. Well written chronologically and the information is well dug out too.

My mate loves it

Thanks for a great book. All the best - Heinz

Wer die vielleicht obskurste und anonymste Rockgruppe der Welt einmal näher kennenlernen will, erhält mit dem Buch von Ian Shirley dazu eine anschauliche Möglichkeit. Diese Neuauflage ist vom Aufbau und der Struktur her dabei komplett anders als die Erstauflage, die sich primär auf die Chronologie der Bandgeschichte konzentriert. In dieser Auflage ist das zwar auch der Fall. Doch das Ganze wird durch viele O-Töne und Interview-Ausschnitte angereichert, mit der das zuvor erläuterte noch einmal bildhaft und atmosphärisch verdichtet wird.Sehr schön ist auch, dass dieses Mal sehr viel von den Anfangsjahren im Buch steht, wo sich die Protagonisten als Hippie-Kommune zusammenfinden und aus "Jux und Dollerei" auf einmal anfangen, Musik zu machen.Auch die späteren Abschnitte der Band-Bio werden immer wieder durch anschauliche Anekdoten angereichert. Das ist ungleich detaillierter als in der Erstauflage und zeugt von der immensen Arbeit, die der Autor in dieses Update gesteckt hat.Für Fans ist das Buch sowieso ein Muss, für alle anderen, die auch mal über den Tellerrand des Mainstreams schauen wollen ist das Buch eine unterhaltsame Reise zur und mit der Speerspitze der obskuren Avantgarde. Sozusagen die gelebte amerikanische Version der "Magical Mystery Tour".PS: Hardcore-Fans sei sowohl diese als auch die Erstauflage (im modernen Antiquariat?!) empfohlen, denn beide Bücher sind inhaltlich und strukturell sehr unterschiedlich und liefern ganz ureigene Eindrücke.