Greg Prato, professional music journalist and the king of the narrative novel form, has pulled out the typewriter to lay out the history of the Meat Puppets. In his typically thorough, engaging and spirited way, Prato finally opens the books on one of the world's most unsung bands. Interviewing dozens of key players, including the band members themselves as well as producers, other musicians, friends and record company people, the author stitches together an illuminating look at the mighty Meats.

And there is a lot to look at, including recordings spanning a decade; an appearance with Nirvana on MTV Unplugged; a video; and opening for the Stone Temple Pilots. Here Curt Kirkwood, the band's singer, talks about No Joke!, the band's final album in 1995. In some ways, his comments here could pertain to the group's entire career.

"It was starting out to do really good, and they pulled the plug on any promotion, because they really thought the band was out of control. And there was a certain number of circumstances - people got fired and people left [at the label] - it ws all stuff that happened at once. It started out of the gate to do real well, and then it just went away immediately. It wa a disappointment, but at the same time, the band was falling apart."