The Lemonheads’ Evan Dando Details Memoir, ‘Rumors of My Demise’

Evan Dando, the frontman of alt-rock veterans The Lemonheads, has announced the release his long-awaited memoir, Rumors of My Demise.

The book was initially announced back in late 2020, with Dando reported as co-writing the volume with music writer Jim Ruland at the time. “My life is a muddy river. I thought I should add more dirt,” Dando said upon its initial announcement.

Named for the rumor and innuendo that surrounded Dando’s life at the height of his fame as a ’90s rock heartthrob, the book aims to share “the true story of his band’s tumultuous history and what it was like to be famous in the pre-internet days.”

Set for release through publishers Gallery Books on Oct. 7, Rumors of My Demise presents as a candid account of Dando’s storied life, ranging from his formative years in the ’80s hardcore scene, his brush with mainstream success, up to his current status, which sees him sober and living in South America while not touring.

“Reclaiming the purity and exuberance of his early days and encapsulating the spirit of the era, this candid autobiography presents a portrait of an artist who lives wholly for his music, and one that makes no apologies for doing so,” a description of the book reads.

News of Dando’s upcoming memoir follows on from the release of “Deep End,” the lead single from The Lemonheads’ first album of original music since 2006. The track will feature on Love Chant, which is scheduled for a fall release, though specifics have not been shared.

The Lemonheads first formed in Boston in 1986, with a series of independent albums arriving via Taang! before the group signed to Atlantic for 1990’s Lovey.

Writing with Smudge frontman Tom Morgan while in Australia, The Lemonheads found their commercial breakthrough with 1992’s It’s a Shame About Ray, which reached No. 68 on the Billboard 200. Its success was bolstered by a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” and helped the group achieve their commercial peak with 1993’s Come on Feel the Lemonheads, which peaked at No. 56.

The Lemonheads initially dissolved in 1997, though Dando reactivated the group in 2005, with a self-titled record arriving the following year. Since then, two cover albums have been released, with Varshons and Varshons 2 being issued in 2009 and 2019, respectively.