Roddy Bottum, Faith No More's keyboard player, knew exactly what he didn't want to write in his autobiography - a predictable rock memoir. The Royal We is anything but that, instead offering a candid and intimate look into Bottum's life, including his teenage escapades in San Francisco as a queer person living in an era of secrecy and shame.
The book takes readers on a journey through Bottum's early days with Faith No More, from the group's formation to their rise to fame. However, it's not just about the band - it's also about Bottum's struggles with addiction, particularly heroin, and how that affected his relationships and overall well-being.
One of the most striking aspects of The Royal We is its unflinching portrayal of Bottum's experiences as a gay man in rock music. He recounts episodes involving cruising public toilets and parks, his first sex with men at 13 or 14, and his subsequent struggles with shame and homophobia. But it's not all doom and gloom - the book also explores Bottum's relationships with other musicians, including Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
Bottum's friendship with Cobain is particularly noteworthy. The two bonded over their shared struggles with addiction and found solace in each other's company. However, the book also delves into the darker side of their relationship - the heroin addiction that nearly took Bottum's life and the devastating loss when Cobain tragically passed away.
Throughout The Royal We, Bottum comes across as refreshingly honest and vulnerable. He shares stories about his time on tour with Faith No More, including a disastrous stint with Guns N' Roses and Metallica, where he was alienated by the toxic rock 'n' roll circus. But it's not all about the drama - Bottum also explores themes of acceptance, sobriety, and finding happiness in one's true self.
One of the most striking aspects of The Royal We is its focus on Bottum's own personal journey. It's a story of shame, secrecy, and ultimately, freedom from the burdens that have weighed him down for so long. As he puts it, "I felt like, I made it through this. This - Kurt's death - is what happens. My sobriety was why I was still here, and he was not."
The Royal We is a book that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with addiction, homophobia, or feelings of shame and secrecy. It's a powerful reminder that there is always hope for redemption and acceptance, and that being true to oneself can be the most liberating thing of all.
The book takes readers on a journey through Bottum's early days with Faith No More, from the group's formation to their rise to fame. However, it's not just about the band - it's also about Bottum's struggles with addiction, particularly heroin, and how that affected his relationships and overall well-being.
One of the most striking aspects of The Royal We is its unflinching portrayal of Bottum's experiences as a gay man in rock music. He recounts episodes involving cruising public toilets and parks, his first sex with men at 13 or 14, and his subsequent struggles with shame and homophobia. But it's not all doom and gloom - the book also explores Bottum's relationships with other musicians, including Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
Bottum's friendship with Cobain is particularly noteworthy. The two bonded over their shared struggles with addiction and found solace in each other's company. However, the book also delves into the darker side of their relationship - the heroin addiction that nearly took Bottum's life and the devastating loss when Cobain tragically passed away.
Throughout The Royal We, Bottum comes across as refreshingly honest and vulnerable. He shares stories about his time on tour with Faith No More, including a disastrous stint with Guns N' Roses and Metallica, where he was alienated by the toxic rock 'n' roll circus. But it's not all about the drama - Bottum also explores themes of acceptance, sobriety, and finding happiness in one's true self.
One of the most striking aspects of The Royal We is its focus on Bottum's own personal journey. It's a story of shame, secrecy, and ultimately, freedom from the burdens that have weighed him down for so long. As he puts it, "I felt like, I made it through this. This - Kurt's death - is what happens. My sobriety was why I was still here, and he was not."
The Royal We is a book that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with addiction, homophobia, or feelings of shame and secrecy. It's a powerful reminder that there is always hope for redemption and acceptance, and that being true to oneself can be the most liberating thing of all.
i'm literally shaking with emotions it's like he's speaking straight to my soul bottum's story is so raw and honest, it's like he's sharing his darkest secrets with us and it's actually really liberating to hear him be so vulnerable about his struggles with addiction and being a gay man in rock music 
i love how he talks about finding solace in his friendship with Kurt Cobain too that part of the book is just heartbreaking but also hopeful at the same time it's like bottum is saying we're all in this together, and we can find freedom from our demons if we just be brave enough to face them 
Bottum's story is like the ultimate rock 'n' roll soap opera 
! I mean, who wouldn't want to read about a gay man living in San Francisco as a teenager struggling with addiction and homophobia? It's like a bad 90s drama movie, but in book form 
. And let me tell you, the parts about his friendship with Kurt Cobain are giving me all the feels 
. But at the same time, I'm a little annoyed that Bottum had to deal with all this crap for so long 
. Like, why did he have to be part of the "rock 'n' roll circus" that was so toxic? And what's up with the Guns N' Roses and Metallica parts? Sounds like Bottum just wanted to get out of there ASAP 
. Anyway, I'm gonna go read this book now and see if it lives up to all the hype 
I just finished reading this book and I'm still reeling from it. I mean, Roddy Bottum is so brave to share all his darkest moments on paper. The way he writes about his struggles with addiction and being a queer person in rock music is just so raw and honest. It's like you're right there with him, feeling all the shame and pain. But at the same time, it's also super uplifting because you see how far he's come and how much he's learned to accept himself. I love that he writes about his friendship with Kurt Cobain too - it's so sad to read about what happened to him, but it's also beautiful to see the bond they shared. 
. I love how he shares stories about his friendships with other musicians, like Kurt Cobain - it's clear they had an intense connection 
. I mean, he went through some crazy stuff as a teenager, especially with his queerness in rock music back then 
. It's like, we need more stories like this to break down those shame walls and show the world that addiction and homophobia are not the only things that define us.
- it's clear they had a deep connection over their struggles with addiction. But at the same time, Bottum also shows vulnerability when talking about his relationships and personal growth 
. It's like, we need more of these real-life stories to help us see that we're not alone in our struggles.
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Just kidding, Bottum's story is actually really inspiring and shows that even with all the darkness, there's always hope for redemption.
. I love how he opens up about his relationships with other musicians, especially Kurt Cobain - that friendship must have been so meaningful 
and I'm blown away by how honest and vulnerable he is 
. I mean, the guy opens up about his struggles with addiction and homophobia in such a raw way that it's almost too much to handle 
. But at the same time, it's so liberating to see him finally share his story and find freedom from all the shame and secrecy that weighed him down for so long 
. Bottum's writing is so conversational and relatable that you can't help but feel like you're reading a letter from an old friend 
. You know, people often think rockstars are just all about partying and having a good time, but Bottum's story is like, totally different 
. And can we talk about how refreshing it is for him to share his side of the Kurt Cobain story? Like, I'm tired of all the drama surrounding their friendship 
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I mean, Bottum's experiences as a gay man in rock music are so raw and honest, it's almost like he's saying we need more acceptance and understanding. And that's something politicians on both sides of the aisle could learn from - being authentic and true to yourself is key to building strong relationships and creating positive change.
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