Nice cars, Playboybunnies, wealth and thrown underwear ” as the Nickelback song suggests, theawesome life of a rock 'n' roll band, right? According to NIU English professorJoe Bonomo, not quite. "Sweat: The Story of the Fleshtones, America's GarageBand," Bonomo's first biography, was published by Continuum in September. For seven years, Bonomo spent his summers trekking to New York to interview and research for hisbook. As the title suggests, the book chronicles the lives of the Fleshtones, alittle known band Bonomo first heard in the 1980s. According to Bonomo, TheFleshtones are the only band that debuted at CBGB that played togetheruninterrupted since. "The Fleshtonesredefined what it means to be successful," said Bonomo. "They're simply a greatAmerican rock band that no one's heard about." However, Bonomo says his book is more than just a biography of an obscure rockband.

"It's a great story ofperseverance and staying true to your dreams and visions," said Bonomo. The perseverance Bonomo refers to involves ajourney of music that has spanned more than three decades and does not involvefame or fortune. Bonomo joined the band on its Midwesttour in 2001 and discovered the realistic lives of rock stars. "The memory Ihave from that tour is how much they struggled," said Bonomo. "Sleeping onpromoter's floors and in flea-bag motels, playing to half-empty clubs. Itcemented to me why their story is so unique and so interesting, why it's aworthwhile story. They didn't give up and soldiered on." Although the Fleshtones story is enthralling,Bonomo had difficulty getting "Sweat" published.

Bonomo believes that while "Sweat" works as amanual for those in a band, it is also an inspirational story for those whohave no affiliation with music. "Ifyou're in a band as a 20-something, this is an absolute crucial book. It showswhat your future is," said Bonomo. "[But]no matter what your passion is, you will find yourself mirrored in this book.As you get older, you have to redefine what success means. The Fleshtones storyis a great example of how to do that." Northern Star Online.