The Royal We is available for pre-order now. Credit to Shore Fire Media.
Los Angeles, California (July 31, 2025)- Akashic Books is set to release Roddy Bottum’s highly anticipated memoir, The Royal We, on November 4. Co-founder of Faith No More, musical trailblazer, and queer icon, Bottum offers a deeply personal and often humorous reflection on his life, set against the backdrop of a bygone San Francisco and the evolving alternative music scene.
The Royal We chronicles Bottum’s journey from a Los Angeles upbringing where he navigated his identity as a young gay man with no role models, to his pivotal move to San Francisco. There, he co-founded the influential band Faith No More, embarking on a relentless global touring schedule that led to millions of records sold and gold certifications. Beyond the arena rock and tales of rock legends like Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, and Guns N’ Roses, Bottum candidly shares his struggles with heroin addiction and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic. His ability to recount his harrowing past “in a clear-eyed voice devoid of self-pity” has been lauded, showcasing his “emboldened and confident pronouncements of achievement and unorthodox heroism,” as noted in the book’s description.
The memoir is poised to be more than just a musician’s tell-all. It delves into themes of tragedy, addiction, and a “deeply loving recollection of a remarkable scene,” making it a truly unique and intriguing work. As Kim Gordon praises, it’s “A very honest and extremely well-articulated story of coming of age, parallel and within the evolution of the alternative music world.” Courtney Love calls it “A brilliant and gorgeous book,” while Chloë Sevigny remarks it’s “Written with the right amount of flourish and punk abandon—what a treat.” Kirkus Reviews describes the book as “Vibrant…a melancholy tribute to punky, grassroots community-building.”
Bottum’s influence extends beyond Faith No More. In 1992, he publicly came out, challenging the perceptions of what it meant to be gay in the world of rock music. That same year, he formed the critically acclaimed band Imperial Teen, recognized as pioneers of alternative queer rock. Since moving to New York City in 2010, Bottum has continued his prolific musical career, performing and creating records with artists and bands such as Crickets, JD Samson, Nastie Band, and Man on Man, his band with partner Joey Holman. He is also currently developing his Sasquatch opera project into a musical.
Upcoming Book Events
Fans will have the opportunity to hear Roddy Bottum discuss The Royal We at special events this autumn. Dates and venues are as follows, with additional details and ticket information to be announced soon:
- Thursday, November 13 | 7:00 pm NEW YORK, NY Strand Book Store (828 Broadway)
- Tuesday, November 18 | 7:00 pm LOS ANGELES, CA Skylight Books (1818 N Vermont Ave.)
- Thursday, November 20 | 7:00 pm SAN FRANCISCO, CA City Lights (261 Columbus Ave)
The Royal We is available for pre-order now.Akashic Books is set to release Roddy Bottum’s highly anticipated memoir, The Royal We, on November 4. Co-founder of Faith No More, musical trailblazer, and queer icon, Bottum offers a deeply personal and often humorous reflection on his life, set against the backdrop of a bygone San Francisco and the evolving alternative music scene.
The Royal We chronicles Bottum’s journey from a Los Angeles upbringing where he navigated his identity as a young gay man with no role models, to his pivotal move to San Francisco. There, he co-founded the influential band Faith No More, embarking on a relentless global touring schedule that led to millions of records sold and gold certifications. Beyond the arena rock and tales of rock legends like Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, and Guns N’ Roses, Bottum candidly shares his struggles with heroin addiction and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic. His ability to recount his harrowing past “in a clear-eyed voice devoid of self-pity” has been lauded, showcasing his “emboldened and confident pronouncements of achievement and unorthodox heroism,” as noted in the book’s description.
The memoir is poised to be more than just a musician’s tell-all. It delves into themes of tragedy, addiction, and a “deeply loving recollection of a remarkable scene,” making it a truly unique and intriguing work. As Kim Gordon praises, it’s “A very honest and extremely well-articulated story of coming of age, parallel and within the evolution of the alternative music world.” Courtney Love calls it “A brilliant and gorgeous book,” while Chloë Sevigny remarks it’s “Written with the right amount of flourish and punk abandon—what a treat.” Kirkus Reviews describes the book as “Vibrant…a melancholy tribute to punky, grassroots community-building.”
Bottum’s influence extends beyond Faith No More. In 1992, he publicly came out, challenging the perceptions of what it meant to be gay in the world of rock music. That same year, he formed the critically acclaimed band Imperial Teen, recognized as pioneers of alternative queer rock. Since moving to New York City in 2010, Bottum has continued his prolific musical career, performing and creating records with artists and bands such as Crickets, JD Samson, Nastie Band, and Man on Man, his band with partner Joey Holman. He is also currently developing his Sasquatch opera project into a musical.
Upcoming Book Events
Fans will have the opportunity to hear Roddy Bottum discuss The Royal We at special events this autumn. Dates and venues are as follows, with additional details and ticket information to be announced soon:
- Thursday, November 13 | 7:00 pm NEW YORK, NY Strand Book Store (828 Broadway)
- Tuesday, November 18 | 7:00 pm LOS ANGELES, CA Skylight Books (1818 N Vermont Ave.)
- Thursday, November 20 | 7:00 pm SAN FRANCISCO, CA City Lights (261 Columbus Ave)
The Royal We is available for pre-order now.
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