Alexis Brink

Evan Dando's 2025 memoir, "Rumors of My Demise," offers a candid look into his life, co-written by Jim Ruland based on extensive interviews with Dando. The book was announced in late 2020, with Dando stating his intention to "get a little money" from the project. Published by Gallery Books in October 2025, the memoir delves into Dando's childhood, his experiences leading the band The Lemonheads, and his significant struggles with drug use.

The content of "Rumors of My Demise" is characterized by its detailed accounts of Dando's drug use, with critics noting it reads like the chronicle of a dedicated addict who incidentally found a music career. Dando himself has spoken about his current sobriety from illegal drugs, while also expressing a belief that complete abstinence may not be humanity's natural state. The book includes a variety of anecdotes, such as a LSD-fueled escapade with Johnny Depp, an incident involving a "flying banana" and Marilyn Manson's tour manager, and the band missing a festival performance due to Dando's heroin use. It also touches upon his sleepwalking and early encouragement from his father.

The memoir "Rumors of My Demise" extensively details Evan Dando's history with drug use, prompting observations that the book reads like the autobiography of someone deeply involved with addiction who happened upon a music career. Dando has publicly stated his cessation of illegal drug use, though he has also mused that he doesn't believe "God meant us to be sober." The book shares several notable anecdotes, including a story where Dando and Johnny Depp climbed scaffolding outside Atlantic Records after taking LSD. Another memorable incident involves Dando reportedly incapacitating Marilyn Manson's tour manager with a banana. The narrative also recounts how The Lemonheads missed a Glastonbury Festival performance because Dando was using heroin in his hotel room. Additionally, the memoir explores Dando's experiences with sleepwalking and an early memory of his father encouraging his singing.

Reviews for Evan Dando's memoir, "Rumors of My Demise," have generally been positive, highlighting Dando's writing ability despite the potentially off-putting subject matter. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian commented that while Dando might sound "insufferable," he does not come across that way within the book's pages. Petridis suggested that although one might not want to be in a band with Dando or sign him to a record label, he is nevertheless a skilled writer. Music publications Mojo and Record Collector both awarded the book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Kirkus Reviews described the memoir as an "amiable—and sometimes dark—self-portrait of a self-deprecating artist."

“get a little money”

“I don't believe God meant us to be sober”

“reads like the memoir of a career junkie who picks up an unexpected music habit along the way”

“sounds insufferable, but weirdly, he doesn't come across that way in the pages of Rumours of My Demise. You wouldn't want to be in a band with him, nor sign him to your label, but he's a good writer”

“an amiable—and sometimes dark—self-portrait of a self-deprecating artist.”