BOOK ‘EM: What kind of book has...

BOOK ‘EM: What kind of book has the instructions “Play this novel loud” on the cover? One that comes with a new flexi-disc single by the Flesh Eaters, the veteran Los Angeles punk band fronted by Chris D. The book is “Fast Sofa,” the first novel by L.A.-born, New York-based writer Bruce Craven, who is described in a press release from publisher William Morrow as the vanguard of the new “Grunge Pack” of writers. Publication is set for Feb. 17.

Craven, 32, is a big fan of the Flesh Eaters and says the idea to have a “soundtrack” for the book--as well as to have cover art by Robert Williams (who did Guns N’ Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction” artwork, among many others)--was all part of his concept for the seedy, fast-paced story.

The rock-novel connection, he says, gives him a head start toward a readership that he hopes will appreciate his work. “It’s blown away all my writer friends because their books are stuck in hard-cover on the back shelves at stores and reviewed by people who don’t understand.”

The single, “Woman Hell,” will also be available on a five-song CD from SST Records, and Craven will do a spoken-word performance before a Flesh Eaters show Feb. 19 at Al’s Bar.