Mosh Potatoes, Recipes, Anecdotes and Mayhem from the Heavy Weights of Heavy Metal by Steve “Buckshot” Seabury
Published by Atria Paperback a division of Simon and Schuster New York, NY 2010 272 pages
Publisher’s summary: Divided into “Opening Acts” (appetizers), “Headliners” (entrees), and “Encores” (desserts), Mosh Potatoes features 147 recipes that every rock ‘n’ roll fan will want to devour—including some super-charged Spicy Turkey Vegetable Chipotle Chili from Ron Thal of Guns N’ Roses, Orange Tequila Shrimp from Joey Belladonna of Anthrax (complete with margarita instructions), Italian Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs from Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society (a homemade family dish), Krakatoa Surprise from Lemmy of MotÖrhead (those who don’t really like surprises may want to keep a fire extinguisher handy), and Star Cookies from Dave Ellefson of Megadeth.
Mosh Potatoes comes with a monster serving of backstage stories and liner notes, making this ideal for young headbangers, those who still maintain a viselike grip on the first Black Sabbath album, and everyone who likes to eat.
Okay small disclosure here, I’m a bit metal head. Not a mosher, but I do enjoy heavy metal music, along with other genres, so I was intrigued when Atria sent this book over for review. I had never heard of Steve Seabury, I’m sure one of my sons-in-law has though. So let’s get to looking at this book. I’m instantly intrigued by the band line-up. We see names like Ozzy Osbourne, Lita Ford, Guns and Roses, Anthrax, Motley Crue to name a few. There are also band names I’ve never heard of, like Shadows Fall, Zebra, Priestess, Anvil and Trash Light Vision. Well, names are names. Let’s see if they can cook.
Steve Seabury was raised on rock. In his teens had a band and eventually found his way to an internship and job with a record company. As he says, if he wasn’t in a headlining band the next best thing is working to promote and tour with them. After a few years of getting to know music industry greats on a first name basis, and enjoying cooking, he decided to compile a cookbook using recipes from all the noshers in heavy metal land. When he put the request for recipes Steve received more than 300 hundred responses and these are the best of those received.
Reading the short essays felt a bit contrived. I’ve read through the book, tried a few recipes, and still wonder if the essays were written by Steve or the author of the recipe. Some read as though the author is speaking to you, others have more of Steve’s voice attached to them. I just want to shout, “I know, I get it. Late night meals, surrounded by people who do drugs. Yes, it’s rock and you’re a bad ass.” It shouts ‘we’re cool’ far too many times for my liking.
The book starts off a bit slow, 2 guacamole recipes in the first 8 recipes, the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe from Dez leaves you hanging as it seems the recipe is ripe for failure, just not enough cooking instruction on that one. There are a few ‘open a can of this and throw in a can of that recipes’ that really are just average. However, some recipes stand up and shout “make me!” I suppose the heavy metal world is just like the rest of the world. Some people really to believe that slicing cheese and having it toast on bread in the oven is food, it’s not. Stand out recipes like Joey Vera’s Grilled Mushroom Pizza and Candice and Ritchie Blackmoor’s Vegetable Soup bring you round to understanding all is well in heavy metal land. There are cooks out there who really do cook. I think Markus Grosskopt’s Rock Ragout was my favorite of the few I made. It’s a rich, hearty, flavorful dish that can be enjoyed by all. The Wacky Cake by Morgan Lander of Kittie is divine. A scratch cake with pecan penuche and ganache will be a hit at any gathering you wish to take it. In fact, it will become, I predict, a headliner. You’ll be asked to bring it along to any gathering of friends again and again.
If you’re a die hard heavy metal fan, the book is worth the price to purchase. If not, but still want to impress your nieces, nephews and those teens you spend time with, Mosh Potatoes is a good way to pick up a bit of heavy metal knowledge. You can tell them you know their favorite rockers favorite recipe and get them in the kitchen cooking alongside you talking music. I have a hard time thinking of anything better than good food, good music and good conversation.
