Hell on Wheels: Tour Stories—A Wild Ride Through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trenches

In the chaotic, unpredictable world of touring, the stories that emerge from the road often become the stuff of legend. With the release of Hell on Wheels—Tour Stories: Remembered, Remixed, Remastered, author Greg Jacobs invites readers to delve deep into the gritty, hilarious, and sometimes harrowing experiences of some of the most iconic bands in music history. This compilation, set to drop on October 25 via University of Hell Press, is more than just a collection of anecdotes—it's a visceral exploration of life on the road, capturing the essence of what it means to be in a band on tour.

Originally published in 1994 by Gary Hustwit's Rockpress in San Diego, Hell on Wheels quickly became a cult classic. Now, 30 years later, Jacobs has meticulously curated 20 of the original collection’s best stories and added 54 new ones, creating a 373-page odyssey through the wild and unfiltered lives of rock musicians. The book features firsthand recollections from members of legendary bands such as Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, X, The Specials, Rocket From The Crypt, and the Ramones, among many others.

One of the standout tales comes from Joby Ford of The Bronx, who recalls a particularly surreal moment: “So, we all run out there and, sure enough, there’s a Mercedes Benz right in the roof of our van. The lights are still on, the wheels are still spinning. And there’s nobody in the fucking car! Our van is completely totaled.” It’s stories like these—unbelievable yet true—that make Hell on Wheels a must-read for anyone fascinated by the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.

But the book is not just about the excesses of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, though there’s plenty of that too. It also delves into the unexpected and sometimes bizarre experiences that can only happen on tour. From scrapes with biker gangs to dog attacks on stage, from broken bones to floods, the book covers the full spectrum of the touring experience. There's even a tale of the Dead Kennedys playing on the anniversary of JFK’s assassination, which sparked outrage from San Francisco Chronicle’s gossip columnist Herb Caen.

Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys shares another memorable moment, recounting the infamous JFK anniversary show: “Along comes this band called Dead Kennedys who are playing on November 22nd, the anniversary of JFK’s death.” The backlash from that event is just one example of the kind of controversies that bands often find themselves embroiled in, whether intentionally or not.

Eric VonArab (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - “I see Madonna with legendary gossip columnist Liz Smith come strolling down the corridor. When Madonna makes an entrance, it’s like the Queen of England has entered the building, security was scrambling about, and her bodyguard was only a couple feet away.”

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The stories are as diverse as the bands themselves. From Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat and Fugazi reflecting on an encounter with Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live to Derwood Andrews of Generation X recounting a Hells Angel punching Billy Idol mid-song, each tale offers a glimpse into the unpredictable, often absurd reality of life on tour.

Hell on Wheels—Tour Stories is not just a book; it’s an experience, a window into a world that most people only dream of or hear about secondhand. It is a treasure trove of insights, humour, and raw, unfiltered truth.

In celebration of the book’s release, two special events are planned in Southern California. On August 29, Jacobs will appear at 'Poorman's End of Summer Rockshow' at Original Pizza in Newport Beach, and on September 20, he’ll be at Live Wire Bar in San Diego for a book release party. These events promise to be not just book signings, but full-on celebrations of the rock ‘n’ roll spirit that Hell on Wheels embodies.

For anyone who’s ever wondered what really happens on tour, Hell on Wheels offers an unvarnished look at the madness, the magic, and the mayhem that unfolds when musicians hit the road. As Joe Sib of Wax succinctly puts it, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of success: “Finally, I said to Scott, ‘Man, how do you think it’ll go for you?’ He took a sip of his beer and looked me straight in the eye, ‘We’re gonna be fucking huge.’” That unwavering confidence, that sense of destiny, is at the heart of every story in this remarkable collection.

Preorder here.