Bogosian has a knack for creating compelling characters. A common aspect to all of his characters is desperation. Whether it the paranoid desperation of the "Artist" who stopped making art because "they" would know what he was thinking to the quiet despertion of the homeless "Bottleman" who finds comfort in collecting bottles or cans ("Bottles or cans, it makes no difference") so that he can enjoy an egg salad sandwich to the despertion of the man who calls "Candy" for a good time.

Right from the beginning, Bogosian (both in writing and as the lone actor in a one man show) pushes the envelope in establishing characters who live on the edges of society and who feel the pressure of desperation in their lives. For those of you who are interested, the movie "Talk Radio" has Bogosian exploring themes similar to those explored in "Sex, Drugs, ROck & Roll."

This work amazed me. Acting is generally seen as a cooperative effort, but this collection of monologues proves that wrong. Usually funny and almost always far more insightful than anything in the movies, this work takes an often ignored route to exploring contemporary American culture. Some people may be offended by the vulgar nature of some of the monologues (such as Dirt, in which the only word in the first sentence that is not an obscenity is 'ya'), this very vulgarity is a reality of life that is necessary to accept in order to understand what Bogosian has to say.

Eric Bogosian is one of those writers, like J.D. Salinger or Raymond Carver, who makes me feel like I am not alone. I'm not the only detached observer wondering why the current state of humanity is so absurd. Bogosian always writes about junkies, losers, and heartless bastards. But they always have something that is perceptive and interesting to say. As the last charcter in the book, a nameless "Artist" says, "If they know what I was thinking, man...I'd be dead." I feel the same way with the wealth of "irrational" thoughts that float around in my head. Bogosian is also an expert satirist. Are you tired of self promoting, so called "charitable" rock stars? Read "Benefit," in which a Keith Richards-type figure encourages television viewers to support his "Amazonian Indian" fundraiser. Why? Because they don't even have Pepsi. After reading this book, I find like at least there was some one else who shares some of my views on life. And that revelation felt like it might have saved my life.

When you are a sixteen year old Italian kid and you dream about making it in the entertainmenty industry it ain't easy. Italy is not the most rock n'roll country in the world, the music biz used to be very undeveloped in the late 80s and I didn't have a clue about how getting involved. Then one day reading Spin Magazine I read a feature about "Backstage Pass" and thought that it was the book for me, or at least could have been a chance to learn more about the entertainment industry. My granny lent me the 16 bucks to order it and after about a month there it was in my mail box in all its glossy glory. Inside there was also a note from the author, Eric Todd, asking me to write back with my opinions about it as I was his only customer from Europe, can you imagine? I started reading the book as if there was no tomorrow, lots of interviews from many famous industry people, Pete Cappadocia for pyros, Jane Rose Keith Richards' manager and many others talking about how they started and how their job works. Basically the message was: "You can make it if you try" and so I did. 10 years after I have been on the road in the US with punk rock bands, tour managed in my country for foreign bands, toured Europe with my band, started a record label, worked as a club manager, P.R. guy for clubs and bands and have tons of fond memories all because of this book. What else can I say? If you dream about making it and you don't have aclue, or if you want to have a tip from the experts that are quite likely unable to return your call or mails (even though Jane Rose has sent me signed photos by Keith Richards and many others have helped me with precious tips) this is the book for you. It changed my life!