The Naked Way is a unique book and music project by author Chris Henry and the legendary rock band The Naked Way.

The novel The Naked Way is a dark, visionary story of love and loss in a Generation X world of sex, drugs and rock and roll. The story addresses intense themes of sex, violence, identity, rape, war, protest and suicide. The characters of The Naked Way are young people driven by individual visions and passions too strong to control, in a world that can be very hard on people who dream the biggest. From the backstreet underworld of a decaying American city to the mystical cathedrals of Italy, The Naked Way takes readers on an exhilarating journey of love and loss, creation and destruction, pain and redemption.

The Naked Way project will also include mp3 downloads of the incredible band that inspired the book.  In the late 80s and early 90s, an underground culture of American hard rock music thrived out of sight, while commercial radio presented hair-cut bands and tired formula retreads as “rock” music.  The Naked Way was one of the greatest bands of this period never to reach the wide audience they deserved.  Their live shows were unpredictable, explosive, and so brilliant that those lucky enough to see them were sure they would soon hit the big time.  Recent archival discoveries and the beauty of the internet mean that for the first time, the public can now hear the genius of The Naked Way.  Listeners have compared their sound to U2, The Doors, and Jane’s Addiction.  These songs come from original recordings made under primitive conditions, but they convey the full power of a great, authentic rock band finding its wings.  The Naked Way was the legendary “next big thing” that didn’t quite make it.  Soon after their short, star-crossed career ended, bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam opened the door for new, authentic, hard-rocking sounds to reach larger audiences.  But by then it was too late for The Naked Way.  Songs like “blue” and “Til the End” display the band’s melodic, romantic side; while “Seductive Wiles,” “Assembly of Change,” and “Blasphemy” showcase them as a powerful rock band, driven by the eerily beautiful sounds of guitarist Marco and the Led-Zeppelin-like intensity of Brandon on drums.  The lyrics explore the joys and sorrows of love as well as themes of vampires, sorcery and mysticism.  In Alexander’s lyrics, ritual, rebellion, sex, and blood-magic blend together into an intoxicating potion.  The sensitive yet powerful three-piece band (guitar-bass-drums) gives full expression to the occult power and cracked beauty of these other-worldly songs.

It isn’t necessary to read the book to enjoy the music of The Naked Way.  You don’t have to hear the music to be carried way by the larger story of The Naked Way, the novel.  But enjoying the book and the music together will take you on powerful multi-dimensional journey like nothing that can be experienced with books or music alone.