Mike Skinner’s The Story of The Streets

Rock memoirs are a dime a dozen these days, although most of them are written (or ghost-written for that matter) by aging rock stars as a sentimental rewind of their faltering career. Mike Skinner is 33 and judging by his ‘sociological’ observations of modern Britain infused in his songs, The Story of The Streets might eclipse the canon.

Chronicling his beginnings in Birmingham suburbs and the city’s garage scene through global stardom and its inadvertent rejection – last year’s demise of The Streets, health problems and his eyes firmly set on a new career in film, Skinner certainly might have a lot to reminesce about. “Paul Oakenfeld sent a blunt note to my dressing room once that said: “Calm down.” This is a veteran of Primal Scream and the Happy Mondays, so if he’s telling you that, you know you’ve erred on the messy side,” (Observer book quote).

The Story of The Streets is out on 29 March in the UK and also includes a series of photographs from Skinner’s private life. Mike Skinner as he listens to his dad’s Beastie Boys record, dives from a balcony and transforms into a well-groomed gentleman at his wedding. You can check out the photos here.

Mike Skinner DJ’s at the Electronic Beats festival in Prague on 5 May alongside live gigs by The Whitest Boy Alive, Grimes or Woodkid.

Watch the video of his reading:

Published March 26, 2012.