Sebastian Bach

Sebastian Bach has one of the most powerful voices in rock 'n' roll. Bach is the original lead singer of Skid Row. Skid Row's hits include "18 and Life" and "I Remember You." I played their two first CDs over and over and over in the early 90's. This Rolling Stone cover was on the front of my bedroom door in my sorority house.


Sebastian Bach is still creating new kick butt music. His newest album dropped on Tuesday. Sebastian has also performed on Broadway, and you may also remember him from his time on Gilmore Girls. In a recent interview Bach mentioned that he will also be in the upcoming movie, Rock of Ages. Though I would prefer him in the title role instead of Tom Cruise!

I recently asked Bach about his favorite books. He tweeted,

"Favorite book ever is keith richards 'life'. Also like henry miller 'tropic of cancer' its like porn without the pictures."
Photo by me.

Now that is some eclectic taste in books! Check out Bach's newest single, "Kicking and Screaming" below!

Find out more about Sebastian at sebastianbach.com and follow him on Twitter.

Matthew Scott Montgomery

You're not going to believe this, but Disney channel's own Matthew Scott Montgomery recently told me about some of his favorite reads. Matthew Scott stars on Disney's hilarious sketch show So Random. This Disney program is like SNL for teens and preteens (and I laugh along with my kids to the skits). On the hit show, he plays such crazy characters like Angus, Rufus, and Billy.

What does Matthew Scott Montgomery like to read?

Montgomery loves anything by R. L. Stine.
He also enjoyed Hush Hush by Becca Fitzgerald and Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton.
Books he's loved recently include Happyface by Stephen Emond and Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Leviathan.

His favorite book of all time? The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine.

Thanks, Matthew Scott. Go Positive Ayttitude on reading!
Find out more about Matthew Scott at matthewscottmontgomery.com.
Photo from @irobotyoujane.

Watch MSM in action as Angus looking his beast.

James Michael

James Michael is the melodic voice of the band Sixx: A.M. Sixx: A.M.'s hit song "Life is Beautiful" topped the rock charts in 2007. Their newest album released in May and has already produced hits like "Lies of the Beautiful People" and my favorite from the album, "This is Gonna Hurt." I was able to see them live on their only tour so far for Cruefest. I hope they tour again.

Besides fronting this killer rock band, Michael is also a producer and songwriter. He's worked with Papa Roach, Alanis Morissette, Motley Crue, Meat Loaf, and many more artists.

I recently asked James what he is reading. He replied, "Right now I'm reading Keith Richards Life." He continued, "For some reason I read WAY more books on my ipad than I ever did with the actual hard cover books."

You can find out more about James at jamesmichael.net.
Photo from @james_a_michael

Take a listen to their latest single.

Mike Malinin

Today we have an awesome Q&A with Mike Malinin. Mike is the drummer of not one, but two bands: Goo Goo Dolls and Forty Marshas. The Goo Goo Dolls exploded in the 90's with hits like "Name" and "Iris." Click HERE to see the lyric video of their latest song from the Transformers 3 soundtrack.

Thanks to Suzanne Casamento, Mike kindly agreed to fill us in on what he's reading and more.

QUICK Q&A with MIKE MALININ
1. How many books do you read on an average tour?

I'm not sure how many books I read on a average tour. It depends on the content and the length. I mean, I read "War and Peace" while on tour. I also read shorter novels. And a lot of history books. So I guess the best answer is, I read a lot.

2. Do you read paper books or use an e-reader? (If an e-reader, which kind?)

Both. I have a Kindle, and it's loaded. But I still love buying books. I'm the guy who kept buying records long after CDs became the standard. So I'm slow to accept change. The Kindle is awfully convenient for traveling, but I like having the hard copies if it's something I want to keep.
3. Do you read rock biographies? Have the Goo Goo Dolls ever considered penning one?

I recently read Keith Richards' book. And I've read a few other rock bios in the past, but I don't really read that many of them. I haven't heard of anybody who plans on writing a Goo Goo Dolls bio. I doubt one of us ever would.

4. What is your all time favorite book and/or what are you currently reading?

I'm currently reading a couple of books. "America Aflame" by David Goldfield and "Gilgamesh" by Joan London. The Goldfield book is a history book about the Civil War that really gives amazing insight into some of the causes and mindsets of Americans before, during, and immediately after the war. So far it's amazing. It touches on many of the questions I always had about the war. So if that's your thing, I highly recommend it.

The other book is a novel by an Australian writer about an Australian woman who travels to Armenia on the eve of the Second World War. There are obviously many references to "The Epic of Gilgamesh", hence the title of the book. It was published about ten years ago. I think I just bought it on a whim. She's a great writer. Very vivid.

I like reading at least a couple books at once. One novel and one history book usually works well for me.

Favorite books? Hmmm. "Galapagos" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr is pretty important to me. More recently, I was blown away by "2666" by Roberto Bolano. Another classic favorite that I share with a lot of people is "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

5. What is your favorite song to perform live?

It depends. Usually ones that we don't play too often. I really liked playing "Falling Down" on the most recent tour. And I always like playing "Iris."

Thank you so much, Mike, for stopping by and promoting great literature! I love that you read "War and Peace" once while touring. I imagine not many musicians can claim that! I'm looking forward to seeing Goo Goo Dolls live next month!

You can find out more about Mike and his bands at their websites.
http://www.googoodolls.com/
http://www.fortymarshas.com/

You can follow Mike here, too!
www.facebook.com/mikemalinin
www.twitter.com/mikemalinin

Joe Manganiello

TRUE BLOOD EDITION
You know I love me some True Blood, so I'm excited to share with you my favorite werewolf's fave read.

6'5" Joe Manganiello plays Alcide on the hit HBO show. The True Blood season finale was last night, and it was crazy awesome as usual. It's going to be a long wait til the next season in June!

According to the September 5 issue of Us Weekly, Joe listed that his favorite book is The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand in the magazine's article "25 Things You Don't Know About Me."

Brawn AND brains. Sexay.

You can follow Manganiello on Twitter HERE. Click HERE to read a recent interview from The Huffington Post. In this interview, the classically trained actor discusses his upcoming movies including his next role as a male stripper in a Steven Soderbergh film, Magic Mike.
Photo from Ronald Woan.


I also recently asked Anna Paquin (Sookie Stackhouse on True Blood) on formspring.me what she is currently reading. Her answer? "My scripts. Thank you!"
I'm sure Hollywood is throwing all kinds of scripts at this talented Oscar award winning actress.

Looks like this Truebie will be cracking out the next Charlaine Harris book to get my fix til next summer.

John Taylor

John Taylor is the bassist for the popular British band Duran Duran. I had their posters on my bedroom wall in junior high. This was one of them.

I've seen Duran Duran live many times and will continue to go see them on tour. Yes, this rocker girl is a Duranie.

Sixth grade me was screaming when John told me what he is currently reading. "I recently got turned on to The Slap," JT tweeted me. The Slap is by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas.

From Barnes & Noble:
"Winner of the 2009 Commonwealth Writers' Prize, Christos Tsiolkas's The Slap is a riveting page-turner and a powerful, haunting rumination on contemporary middle-class family life. When a man slaps a child who is not his own at a neighborhood barbecue, the act triggers a series of repercussions in the lives of the people who witness the event-causing them to reassess their values, expectations, and desires."
Duran Duran will be starting their U.S. tour with Neon Trees in just a few weeks. You can find out more about the band at duranduran.com.

Photo from Luz A Villa.

Tyler Glenn

"Whoa -ohhhh. I want some more. Whoa - ohhh. What are you waiting for?"

Tyler Glenn is the lead singer of the band Neon Trees. Click here to see their music video for the hit song, "Animal." I've seen Neon Trees in concert a few times, and Tyler is one vibrant, energetic frontman!

I recently asked Tyler what he likes to read. Tyler tweeted me, "i read biographies...chelsea handler, tina fey, steven tyler, keith richards...all fascinating reads."

I have read Chelsea Handler's books;they are too funny! And Tina Fey's Bossypants is on my To Be Read pile, too. Here's a pic of me, Tyler, and Neon Trees bandmate, Brandon!
Find out more about Neon Trees at their website.