In an article for SPIN Magazine, rock-critic journeyman Chuck Klosterman described a Detriot garage rock scene filled with bands listening to old Kinks records, drinking for three and basically being “no-nonsense buzzsaws.” Recently, one of their own left the yard to bring their Nuggets-inspired rock to the nation’s…libraries?!

In December of 2004, teen librarian Bill Harmer contacted Detroit garage trio The High Strung to see if they would be interested in participating in a “National Rock N’ Roll Library Tour.” The band casually agreed and then, just as casually, forgot all about it. In the meantime, Harmer traveled to numerous library conferences, pitching the idea and, before he knew it, he had an entire summer of bookshelf-rattling rock in the most unlikely of venues. The band was expectedly terrified.

“We felt caged,” said Bassist Chad Stocker in an interview for NPR’s This American Life. “Watch my language, clean the liquor off my breath.” Vocalist/Guitarist Josh Mellerman agreed. “It seemed like a strange thing for a band to do because we are not, you know, a novelty act.”

2 years after becoming the unintentional poster boys for the Dewey decimal system, the High Strung released the most critically acclaimed album of their career. And to promote it, they booked another run in America’s libraries. They also amped up promotional efforts including a web ad, radio promos, promotional photos among the stacks and press releases in major media outlets. The band continues to tour the smokey rock clubs. But they have paved the way for rockers and readers to one day live in perfect harmony.

Give the Author Some Feedback!