Thank you for the kindness shown to Pete
Doherty in Nick Duerden’s
cover story [“Man Out of Time,” February]. It is
encouraging to read
something that chooses not to revel in his addic-
tion, but instead illustrates
the reality of its impact on those close to him. It’s
a depressing article, but it brings positive attention
to his music while
illustrating the sadness of his situation.
>MORE R.E.M.
Go behind the scenes of this
month’s cover shoot and
watch exclusive video
interviews with the band.
>FREE ARCHIVES
In our new feature Flashback
Fridays, we revisit R.E.M.’s last Spin
cover appearance, from 1995. Read
interview with Pete Doherty in your
T-shirts and having no knowledge
the entire issue online, and visit
every Friday for another blast
February issue was one of the most
haunting and insightful pieces Spin
of their history or songs, I am happy
it’s Arturo Vega who’s in charge of
from our past.
has ever published.
consulting on the band’s products.
CARLEY DOTY
Mr. Vega was there from the first day
>ON-DEMAND VIDEOS
MADISON, WISCONSIN
the Ramones took the stage at CBGB.
As for those ignorant kids wearing
On the all-new SPIN.com, more
than 500 music videos, live
It’s sad that Spin strives to give a fair
Ramones shirts, in my youth we called
performances, and interviews are
now available on demand! Log on,
SARAH GUSTAFSON
account of Pete Doherty’s attempts
to gain sobriety. A U.S. magazine
those people “poseurs.”
tune in, and rate your favorites.
BURLINGTON, VERMONT
CHRIS AIELLO
cover is the last thing this man needs.
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK
I just finished the piece on Pete
Doherty and have to say that it
Perhaps when the media circus
ends—and when he has apologized
>DAILY NOISE
Bach to Basics
SPIN.com’s blog has been revamped
was one of the finest articles I have
for his misdeeds to his friends, family
and renamed, offering a slicker,
ever read. At one point, it even
brought me to tears. Sure, it showed
what a mess Doherty can be, but it
also brought new light to the other
side of the man that we hardly (or
never) see here in America. The story
is the reason I have a subscription to
Spin, and I hope to read more like it
in the future.
KYLE J. ZUFOLO
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA
Is he a self-destructive musical genius
or a drug addict with a guitar and
some lyrical talent? Either way, the
members, fans, and even pets—he’ll
actually have a chance at being judged
on his musical talent alone.
KAREN DURAN
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
Blitzkrieg Shop
As a huge Ramones fan, I can
understand why some people
might have a problem with the
merchandising that now surrounds
the band [“Hey! Ho! Let’s Shop!”
February]. Although it sickens me to
hear about kids wearing Ramones
When the Whitest Kids U’ Know
criticized the well-known Minuet in G
for being overly “Caucasian”—saying,
“OMG Bach! Does every song have to
be in 4/4 time? Jeez! Put some soul
in there”—they could not have been
more wrong [“Caucasian Invasion,”
February]! As piano students
everywhere know, not only is the
Minuet in G notated in 3/4 time, but
a minuet is by definition a dancelike
piece in triple meter.
MARK FERRAGU TO
ITHACA, NE W YORK
CON TAC T US Go to spin.com/
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Artists have been taking sides for
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choice in candidates?
A Definitely
Band (Broadway Books), writer Steven Kurutz explores
FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS
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D Not at all
the surreal world of secondhand rock stars….Earles
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E There’s an election
& Jenson, featuring writer Andrew Earles, perfect
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References:
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