Don’t Let Go. A Memoir – Rob Griffiths (Swerve/Off The Hip)Little Murders’ revival with a series of rotating line-ups eventually cemented their presence, thanks in large part to support from the Off The Hip label. The subsequent reformation of The Fiction has proven that you just can’t keep a rock and roll obsessive down.
Griffiths is just one character in his own story. Dig in and you’ll come across encounters with Neil Young, Joe Strummer, seminal Melbourne scene figure Bruce Milne (who’s central to the history of Little Murders), Spencer P Jones, Rowland S Howard and countless others.
The story continues into contemporary times with Little Murders and The Fiction both touring Japan. The Fiction were poised for a return visit when the fog of COVID descended. That wrong has since been righted.
Like a live vocal, “Don’t Let Go” isn’t note perfect. It contains a few howlers (Radio Birdman had a song called “Yeah Hup”?) but they’re no big deal. Griffiths captures the spirit of the times in clear-eyed, matter-of-fact style.
“Don’t Let Go” had its genesis in an online blog its author used to maintain. “100 Songs” (the title paraphrased from one of his songs) was a series of essays on pieces of music that caught Rob’s ear. The soundtrack of his life, as it turns out. The same thread runs through his memoir.
“Don’t Let Go” is in large soft cover format and its 172 pages are generously illustrated with scores of live photos, album, single and poster artwork.
