Book Review: 137 Bane is Forever

I somehow missed the fact that this book actually existed. So when Nikolay from Ugly and Proud Records brought me a copy as a gift from Fluff Fest, I immediately started reading it. I’ve only seen Bane three times in my life. It was always amazing and their music will always be engraved in my heart. The very last time I saw them was actually when we brought them to Bulgaria with For The Kids Booking. I knew people, some of my friends, who traveled all over Europe (and not only) and saw Bane time and time again. I’ve always admired the effort and love one can have for a band in times when we are overfed with music and live our lives mostly on the internet.

Don’t confuse this with the kind of fandom that surrounds pop music and its stars. No, we’re talking about having a real connection with the people who inspire you. We’re talking about having the chance to not only support and love what your friends do, but to be with them all over the world and experience every single show (okay, almost every show) as if it were your first.

The very last chance I had to see Bane, which was in Sofia, Bulgaria, I spotted a person who was traveling with them. He was all over the place, having as much fun as if he was seeing the band for the first time. This guy was ‘the genie’. I never met him in person, but now I’ve just finished his book about the last chapter of his travels with and for Bane.

137 Bane is Forever exists in only 137 copies. That’s also the number of Bane shows he’s seen on every single continent (except Australia, I think). First of all, the book is beautifully designed. The tone it’s written in makes you feel like you’re reading a zine, but it looks like a pro job. Yes, it could have been proofread a bit better, but who cares, Bane is gone and this is one of our last chances to relive the power of their music and how life changing this band and their message to the world really was.

It’s not only ‘the genie’ whose writings are featured in the book. There are a few guest stories from other friends and family of Bane who have also experienced the band live. 137 Bane is Forever is a great reminder that music isn’t just about entertainment, it’s something that can change your life forever, make you a better person, and take you places you might never have seen without it.

Go look for this one. I honestly don’t know if you can order it online, I Googled and couldn’t find anything. Ask around, use your mouth, Bane deserve the effort.