Long before grunge exploded out of Seattle, Andrew Wood was already creating his own universe. A dreamer, a poet, a magnetic performer — Andy fronted Malfunkshun and later Mother Love Bone, crafting songs filled with joy, pain, fantasy, and undeniable charisma. He wasn’t just another frontman. He was a cosmic force in silver boots.
After his death in 1990 at the age of 24, many feared Andy's light would fade with him. But it didn’t. It grew. And today, through Scot Barbour’s moving documentary Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story and the powerful book Man of Golden Words, his voice still speaks — and sings — to us.
A Film and Book Born from Grief, Gratitude—and a Conversation with Chris Cornell
Scot Barbour didn’t begin this journey as a filmmaker or author. He was just a fan, one who was profoundly moved by Temple of the Dog and the powerful voice at the heart of its origin story. After discovering Andrew Wood posthumously, Scot became obsessed — not with the mythology, but with the humanity. He needed to know: who was this guy?
What started as curiosity turned into a mission. In 1997, Scot reached out to people in Andy’s life — including his brother Kevin and his close friend Chris Cornell — and what followed was something beyond what he could’ve imagined. After speaking with Chris, Scot said he was moved by the depth of love and pain that still surrounded Andy’s memory. That conversation became the emotional spark behind the documentary Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story, which premiered in 2005 at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Years later, Scot realized the story couldn’t end there. There was more of Andy’s voice—literally—to be heard. He began gathering Andy’s journals, notes, poetry, lyrics, and drawings. With the support of Andy’s family, especially Kevin, the book Man of Golden Words was born. In Scot’s own words, this book was a continuation of a promise to keep Andy’s spirit alive — not as a rock myth, but as a human being with a heart full of dreams and a mind full of imagination.
“I made this book for anyone who ever connected with his music and wanted to understand the soul behind the voice.” — Scot Barbour
A Book Like a Diary, a Movie Like a Memory
Man of Golden Words is not a typical biography. It's deeply personal, at times chaotic, tender, and luminous — much like Andy himself. Told largely through Andy’s own writing, the book invites you into his internal world: his hopes, frustrations, sense of humor, and artistic vision. From vulnerable journal entries to philosophical notes scribbled in the margins, it’s like stepping into a conversation with Andy.
In one early entry, Andy writes:
"I don't believe in magic, but I believe in the possibility of it... If I didn’t, I couldn’t survive."
That belief in possibility — in wonder, in love, in music — is what carries through every page and every frame of the film.
Now Streaming & Available in Our Box
Scot’s documentary Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story is available now to stream on Amazon Prime Video, reaching a new generation of listeners who may be hearing Andy’s voice for the first time.
The book Man of Golden Words is available exclusively in the 90 The Original Subscription Box — featuring a signed copy with a custom 90-designed dust jacket you can’t get anywhere else. It’s a collector’s edition and a heartfelt tribute to the man whose voice launched a movement.
Why This Still Matters
This isn’t just a book and a movie about someone who “could have been.” It’s about someone who was — profoundly. Andy Wood didn’t need a mainstream hit to change lives. His music, humor, vulnerability, and imagination influenced not just the formation of Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog, but the emotional depth that Seattle music became known for.
"The child in me is alive and well. He sings. He dances. He gets hurt, but he still believes." — Andrew Wood
That childlike belief, that dreamer’s heart — it’s still singing. Through Scot Barbour’s lens, and Andy Wood’s own golden words, the music hasn’t stopped.
