"Following decades of fan engagement through road diaries and groundbreaking podcast predecessor Radio Zero, Poster Children bassist Rose Marshack has gathered stories and experience for this fast-paced and wide-ranging, but well-balanced rock/tech/spiritual memoir. Hard-won lessons, road stories, tech geekery, entertaining anecdotes and lessons from the Buddha are plentiful. . . . [A] stirring memoir." --
Illinois Entertainer"For music fans in Central Illinois, I highly recommend Marshacks book, which she finished after five years of writing and editing. Its a phenomenal model of what music journalism should be, exemplified by comprehensive documentation and peer review plus just enough swear words to keep you chuckling as you reach for the next page." --
Pantagraph"For readers interested in the indie music scene, touring life, and female rockers." --
Booklist"Reflective, humorous, and rousing,
Play Like a Man is an exuberant memoira musical and feminist testament." --
Foreword Reviews"A funny, warm, honest, and brilliant memoir from the bassist of American indie rock band Poster Children a work to which all other music memoirs could aspire. . . . One of the all-time best music memoirs." --
Louder than War"An inspirational account of changing times. " --
Big TakeoverThis kind of tour report from a female musician is so rare and essential in documenting womens role in punk and music history. At the same time, the work that Poster Children did in contributing to the early use of the internet and social media and web design is important to think about around independent music and punk--really, around the music industry in general.--Rebekah Buchanan, author of
Writing a Riot: Riot Grrrl Zines and Feminist RhetoricsThe Poster Children were a smart, stubborn, self-reliant independent band that suddenly found itself surrounded by the ambitious puffery of hopeful tourist musicians. They navigated the problematic ocean of Alternative Music that rose up in the 1990s and lived to tell the tale. Rose was central to that mission and should be considered a trustworthy and experienced reporter!--Ian MacKaye, Fugazi and Minor Threat
I have seen Rose Marshack play with her band the Poster Children many times, and her presence onstage is precisely like her writing, energetic, warm, and completely involved. This memoir is beautiful and frank, and does a fantastic job of bringing the reader into the private thoughts of a woman coming of age in a vibrant music community, immediately finding things to cling to and battles that need fighting. Her story will resonate not just with everyone who lived through this era, but anyone who's ever found their passion and community in music. I admire Rose tremendously and I'm glad she decided to tell us her story. --Steve Albini
