Bandalism: The Rock Group Survival Guide

Bandalism ban-dəl-i-zəm] n .: the willful or malicious destruction of, or damage to, the fabric of a rock/pop/indie group brought about by one or more of its members

Axl Rose's monumental meltdowns . . . Kurt Cobain's tragic band-slaying suicide: The long history of platinum-selling berband implosions is more dramatic than a Russian novel. But even local cover bands can suffer the ill effects of the limelight.

Multi-rock-band veteran Julian Ridgway's Bandalism is a can't-miss guide to rock 'n' roll survival, offering sage advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that can doom your group. Here's how to:

• Find nonpsycho band members
• Craft the perfect band image
• Choose a name that doesn't suck

And much more, including the handy Healthy Band Checklist, an ideal MySpace profile generator, and the Second Album Venn Diagram.

Julian Ridgway is an Oxford graduate and a veteran of at least a dozen bands who researches rock photographs and writes for a host of magazines. Born in Leicester, England, he now lives in London.