Behind My Paint: The Rise of My Hatchet and the Book that Changed My Life

Everyone has heard of Insane ClownPosse (a.k.a ICP) and/or Psychopathic Records. ICP is considered the most loved and most hated band in the world. Why? Many people will say that its because the lyrics to their music are extremely violent. Still, others will say that the message behind the lyrics is important, so you should listen. At one time, I hated ICP with a passion. I thought the music was violent and offensive, and I hated the fact that they painted their faces like clowns; i just didn't get it.

When I was a freshman in college, I began my fight with depression. Also during this time, a friend asked me to listen to a song; he wouldn't tell me who sang the song or the name of the cd. He suggested that I listen past the surface of the lyrics and focus on the deeper meaning of the song. I did as I was instructed. When the song was over, I felt that I was not alone in the world and that life was too short to be unhappy. After telling my friend how I felt after listening to the song, he told me that the song was from ICP. I was shocked, but pleasantly surprised.

After this, I began educating myself as much as possible about ICP and Psychopathic Records. I visited their site numerous times to read any information that was posted. I visited the websites for all of the other artists that are signed to the record label and learned all I could about them as well. During all of this research, I discovered that Joe Bruce a.k.a Violent J from ICP, had written a book about his personal struggles through life, as well as the struggles of ICP and Psychopathic Records. Determined to leave no stone unturned, I eventually bought the book.

ICP: Behind the Paint was by far one of the most fascinating books I have read to date. Any questions that anyone has ever had about the music or the band are answered in the book. If you want to know why the lyrics are the way they are, read the book and see what kind of lives these men lived before becoming the most successful underdogs in the music industry. Even if your not a fan of ICP, or you refuse to let your children listen to their music, please read this book. The book will eliminate any misconceptions about the music. Please be aware though, that the book is not edited in any way; the words are directly from Joe Bruce as he was thinking them at the time.

This book is definitely worth the time it takes to read it. Even if your not a fan of the music, there is something in the book for everyone. Personally, this book changed my life in many different ways, most of which no one but myself would understand. If I had the opportunity to thank Violent J for writing this book, I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

Thanks to Violent J and the Butterfly.