Sam, the drummer, was the maternal figure who kept the band together while she bravely fought her battles and inner demons. The band Spooge was comprised of four musicians. Spooge traveled from dive bars to seedy venues in the hope of success and notoriety in the punk music scene. The band members were a gritty crew of misfits determined to bestow their punkish talents on the world via traveling in an old and rundown van. If you are in Hamilton on Saturday Septemyou can meet Ginny at the Hamilton Pop Culture Market from 12-8.Loose Gravel by Ginny Fanthome was an entertaining novel that chronicled the activities of Spooge, a fictional punk band during the 1990s, as they embarked on their debut tour. Loose Gravel is self-published by Ginny Fanthome. Loose Gravel is a unique gem and would be a welcome addition to the musician lore section of any book collection. It didn’t have a perfect happily-ever-after ending, but I was left feeling satisfied.

Loose Gravel is a reminder that every person has their own struggles and backstory, and how being on the road is the ultimate adventure that allows you to meet all kinds of people and maybe help someone in an unexpected way. Sam’s bandmates also showed growth and provided a bit more hope as the story developed. I was happy to see how she dealt with some really, really hard emotional and physical knocks. I enjoyed how Sam’s hopeful and reflective nature, particularly her compassion, developed as the incessant grind of the tour tested everyone. Fanthome has carefully woven a thread of hope into the story. It is a fun read, but it is much more than just the craziness of life on the road. There is never a dull moment in Loose Gravel. Eventually tempers will flare, feelings will get hurt and fists will fly. As they drive to the next gig they pray that the driver will stay awake and that the van will keep on running. Loose Gravel thoroughly explores the personalities and bumbling relationships of the four bandmates. The story is told from Sam’s perspective. The members are frontman Steve: talented gay Asian guy who happens to sing and put on a damn good show guitarist Marcus: A super smart, witty, closet writer/asshole and womanizer bassist Lion: A tall, tough dude from a poor and shitty childhood who thinks he’s Sam’s boyfriend and drummer Sam: A talented young woman who has a heart of gold and a clear mind despite wrestling with her own demons. Fanthome’s descriptions of venues, venue operators, other bands and their antics, and life in a van are spot on. Loose Gravel is realistic and brutally honest. Loose Gravel by Ginny Fanthome brings it all back as a celebration of human resilience. In the midst of all the struggle there were life lessons. Sleeping in the van was part of the deal, and success would be declared if the band didn’t self-destruct or murder each other. Still, back in the day upstart bands could line up a tour, borrow a van, scrape together a P.A.