So who of you out there had an Afghan coat back along? I have to admit that for a short period I had two – a white, short version which never looked very good on me and which I sold, leaving me with a traditional unisex long version. Boy did those coats smell, especially when they got wet (although it was a good excuse to use a liberal does of patchouli on one’s person to try and detract from the aroma emanating from said article of clothing). And they sure didn’t give a particularly flattering look either. And when they got old… what about all those cracks and nasty stains they seemed to attract, along with the frayed threads on the various swirls of ‘embroidery’? And wowzer were they heavy (the more-than-likely reason my story exists in the first place). And they were bloody expensive to purchase. And how many times did those jingly necklaces with those small triangle-shaped thingies get caught in that mass of matted fleece round the neck and down the front? Not to mention the bracelets of the same sort getting tangled around the shaggy wrists. I am beginning to wonder why I had one after recalling all of that.
Erm ... I know … along with greatcoats, they were THE thing to wear. Well d’uh. And of course, on the practical side I suppose they did have the added benefit of keeping you warm. You couldn’t bend your arms very easily because the sleeves were as stiff as a board, but at least they kept them snug.
It is the tale of my long version Afghan coat that I shall relate today or it may even be the long version of a tale. Or even a long tale of a long coat without a tail. Whichever, it is a sorry tale indeed.
My gig-attending partner-in-crime of the time was Sioux. Now Sioux had a car, this being a Mini (the last time I saw her – around ten years ago now – she still had a Mini, but had upgraded to the new version, unlike yours truly who had started out with a Mini Clubman estate (which always broke down in the rain after you had gone as far as you could in first gear. Change up a gear and it broke down even sooner) and then moved on to Ford Escorts and the like).
On the particular occasion in question we went to the self-explanatory named Roundhouse down Chalk Farm Road in Camden, in good old London town. As hard as I have tried, my memory will not unlock the details of who it was that we saw there – I seem to think it may have been ‘Darryl Way’s Wolf’ but don’t quote me on that (if indeed you would even wish so to do, and I cannot for the life of me think why you should anyway as it is not the sort of thing that would come up in general conversation). I know they played at the Roundhouse in Dagenham (I checked), but it was definitely down Chalk Farm Road where my Afghan coat’s tale begins.
It’s dubious claim to fame in this publication began when I decided that it was either too hot to wear it, or that I couldn’t face carrying it around with me.
Where the saga actually ended for the coat I shall never know. But I can tell you why it never made it back with me to Uxbridge.
Because it got half-inched, that’s why.
We returned to the car later only to find that it had been broken into and although the radio etc were untouched, my precious Afghan coat was no longer on the back seat where I had left it. I actually do remember saying to Sioux back then that, upon reflection, it was a silly idea to leave it in full view. But it had not crossed either of our minds that somebody would desire such a smelly, tatty, stained, well-worn old coat that much. That was the first thing I ever had stolen; I have had three other items thieved since, but they are not pertinent to the life and times of ‘Corinna James; The Early Years’. They would be more suitable for the second and third volumes (also known as the spiral-bound notebook and jotter pad respectively).
For many reasons I would not own or wear one now, but back in the day I guess I thought I was hip.
Oh, and PS: It was with some relief and a very quiet ‘hurray’ when I read Helen McCookerybook’s comments in last week’s newsletter about how she had never really liked The Rolling Stones. I thought I was the only one who didn’t (apart, that is, from those who were born long before the Stones took centre stage, which must have been a while back ‘cos they ain’t no spring chickens themselves). Yeah okay, some of their stuff is good, Jumpin’ Jack Flash for example is one of which I am particularly fond. I also seem to remember a pretty good dance scene where Whoopi Goldberg danced to said song in the film of the same name (Jumpin’ Jack Flash that is, not Whoopi Goldberg) - in her pyjamas if I remember correctly. But for the most part … nah sorry.
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HARRIET WADHAM:
London Film and Comic-Con 2013 (or, ‘I Have Returned from My Lengthy Hiatus to Bring You Something You’ll Barely Understand Anyway’) |
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| Harriet wrote this piece for the CFZ Blog. It is even more off-topic for there than it is here, so - of course - I have posted it. However, as this is a magazine about popular cultures and the way that they interact with each other, the fact that I only have the vaguest idea what the dear girl is banging on about doesn't stop me including it. |
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The sun was concealed behind layers of merciful cloud that morning. I’d prayed that it would remain that way for the whole day, but as anybody would be able to guess, it was not to be so. There was a lot of business in the early hours: zippers being pulled up, makeup being applied and a particular cosplay essential- wigs being meticulously adjusted and done up. Nobody wants their wig to slip off in the middle of a convention.
 Our daring troupe ran down to the bus station, amidst laughs and/or confused stares from the people milling around in Yeovil at quarter-to-eight in the morning, making it in a good amount of time to where we were to meet the rest of our convention group, quite aptly named ‘Geek-fest’ by the organiser. I also discovered that Harry, one of the other guys coming along with us, was going to be Deadpool for the day. I found this to be awesome, and we both ended up talking about comics a lot. My own cosplay was a heavy pink dress, complete with an apron, petticoat, long socks and a long pink wig. Needless to say, I almost fried- not such a good idea, as it turned out that there were virtually no cosplayers from my fandom (this being Hetalia. Jon vaguely knows, I know, others may not want to know)! It was probably made worse by the fact I was doing an alternate universe cosplay. I really need to rethink my strategies.
The main amount of cosplayers were from Homestuck. If you don’t know what that is, then here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homestuck). If you hate reading things that never seem to end, don’t read Homestuck. If you hate reading altogether then get off this whole website, because there are an awful lot of things to read when it comes to the CFZ!
 Anyway, we ended up chilling out with a lovely group of Homestucks, whose cosplays were amazing and totally inspiring, and they were such friendly people. Yes, there are horned grey people. There is also a heartwarming display of self-esteem from Tavros. Can you guess who he is?
The painful thing was that in the morning, I was considering wearing my stuff from Homestuck, and still went ahead with the whole Hetalia thing. Please excuse me while I internally berate myself for not seeing what the best decision would have been.
Oh, but there’s some charm to being at a convention. I think the highlight, for me, was standing on one of the balconies at the side of the ExCeL center and watching, momentarily, all the people milling about. It was like a wonderfully busy ant colony. I then saw a group of Deadpools dancing about, which was highly entertaining. The worst part was when I saw Slenderman. I have a fear of that thing. AND I AM CONVINCED I’M NOW ON HIS HIT LIST. THERE’S NO HOPE FOR ME ANY MORE.
I, unexpectedly enough, didn’t buy a lot. That’s because I only brought £20 with me, and then bought a little Wolverine plushie, a poster, some badges and a mobile phone charm of Miku Hatsune, and the plushie was ridiculously overpriced, but I have been after him for far too long now. He is small but majestic, which carries on the legacy of Wolverine quite beautifully. As I type, I am snuggling him. Next up, Thor…
 One negative thing that has happened was my poster being mercilessly squashed. I have no idea who did it but it certainly was not me. Oh, the inhumanity! For the time being, it’s being professionally pressed back into shape under two books, one big box and my laptop, which is on top of the big box.
Anybody else who has ever had as much fun at a convention as I have will know exactly what I am talking about when they read the words ‘post-con depression’. At this point in time, it’s hitting me hard! So I find that the easiest way to battle this is to plan another cosplay. Expect a Peter Pan costume from me within the next few months.
Here’s a funny story: Whilst journeying around with the Homestucks, we managed to get uncomfortably close to Slenderman again. I was worried for my existence, especially after dear sweet Slendy’s head literally snapped around to stare at me. I wasn’t hard to miss. I then asked a Kankri cosplayer (shh) if we could abscond and Kankri then blew on his unique little whistle, yelling “Trigger warning! Everybody abscond!”
We did abscond indeed, because everyone is lovely like that.
I also narrowly evaded a claustrophobic situation when on the way back, Geek-fest were going to go in the lifts to get down to the train station, and I realised that the lifts were going to be crammed with people. Fortunately, Harry-Pool took us down the stairs instead.
How awe-inspiring it was on Saturday, though- so many amazing costumes, kind people, and photographs being taken. The most motivating cosplay was this- I am reliably informed that she was the Queen of Hearts from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and heard her saying that it took her 6 months to make. The price? Ten grand. If that doesn’t show how dedicated and brilliant some people are, I don’t know what does.
So to all of the people out there who also went to LFCC: I hope you had a wonderful time, because I know I certainly did. If you know anybody in the pictures, please tell me! I would love to be able to credit them!
By the way, do you hear something? It is the sound of writer’s block shrivelling up and dying.
I think I needed to go to Comic-Con more than I realised.
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A couple of weeks ago, the legendary Mick Farren, the revolutionary man of letters that I have often aspired to be when I have not been aspiring to be something completely different, sent me a copy of his new novel - Road Movie. It is as good as one would have hoped, if not better, and this week thanks to those jolly nice people at Penny Ante editions, I am in the glorious position of being able to publish a chunk of it, exclusively for you.
Ain't life grand? |
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A brief note to Mick:
I have only just noticed the Jennnings-Derbyshire. I am glad to see that you, too, are a devotee of the Linbury Court school of anarchism |
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| FACING THE CONSEQUENCES, AND THE CULPRITS |
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How many Iraqis died as a consequence of the US and British led invasion of their country which began in 2003?
According to a recent poll, most people in the UK severely underestimate the figure. 59% of the respondents estimated that fewer than 10,000 Iraqis died as a result of the war, while a substantial number (44%) believe that the figure was actually less than 5,000.
How crazy this is. For a nation to have unleashed a war while allowing its population no understanding of the consequences of that war.
Who is to blame for this ignorance: the British people, or the media, whose duty it is to inform them?
In fact, according to studies, the death toll from the war in the first three years alone was between 400,000 – 650,000 Iraqis, while some estimates put the figure as well in excess of a million. Up to 70% of these were civilians.
Here in the UK we’ve also had the tragic consequences of the War on Terror brought home to us, with the horrific murder of Lee Rigby on the streets of Woolwich. This one death, on one street, in one city, on one day has caused more media excitement than the million or more deaths which took place in the whole of Iraq during the ten years or so in which the violence continued.
The EDL and other racist groups were quick to start blaming “Islam” for the murder. Hate crimes against Muslims have been on the increase, with attacks upon mosques becoming commonplace, but this represents exactly the same mind-set as the deluded fanatics who killed Drummer Rigby, when they justified his murder on the grounds that the British Military were responsible for the death of Muslims in the Middle East.
Listen. Iraq was not responsible for the War on Terror, Lee Rigby was not responsible for the death of Muslims in the Middle East and Muslims as a group were not responsible for the death of Lee Rigby.
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HAWKWIND NEWS
(The Masters of the Universe do seem to have a steady stream of interesting stories featuring them, their various friends and relations, and alumni). Each week Graham Inglis keeps us up to date with the latest news from the Hawkverse.. |
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EXCLUSIVE: Davey Curtis saw Hawkwind at Holmfirth
Dear Jon,
I have often wondered why bands like to play the Picturedrome, because no disrespect to Holmfirth but it's not exactly the centre of the universe.
I now know why. It is a cracking venue with superb acoustics and well worth the trip.
Hawkwind were brilliant as usual. Tim Blake did his warm up act again and had the crowd eating out of his hands with a solo version of Spirit of the Age. Later the Sax player from Hipiersonik joined the band on stage and that was a nice touch. I think thats my slice of Hawk pie until they play Newcastle later this year, unless I can sneak off to the Stamford gig in August. I'll have to butter up Mrs C and get some brownie points.
Regards
Davey C |
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AN EXCERPT FROM ROBERT CALVERT'S FIRST BOOK OF POETRY
now reissued by Gonzo (and typeset by me) |
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The Naked and Transparent Man Gives Thanks
Amid the folding of all greenness left
I give my thanks whole-heartedly, for life.
For this vermillion tapestry, warp and weft
Of the blood vein's fabric. It's threads are rife,
Conspicuous; easy-meat for knife
Or microbe and the many ills that kill.
And yet stubborn and abundant still.
With ruins of ages around me, strewn
Like wreckage of an unsuccessful probe
Among the craters of a wasted moon,
I extend my thanks for this living robe
And its pulsing weave, to the moth-holed globe,
And unravelling, almost threadbare sky
Of the failing sun under which I lie.
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| THE YES CIRCULAR - TIME AND A WORD |
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| The Court Circular tells interested readers about the comings and goings of members of The Royal Family. However, readers of this periodical seem interested in the comings and goings of Yes and of various alumni of this magnificent and long-standing band. Give the people what they want, I say |
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| It has been a bumper week for stories out in Yes-land, kicking off with major interviews with Alan White, Steve Howe and Chris Squire, the latter two talking specifically about the current tour during which the band are playing three of their classic albums in their entirety. We havetour dates for July and August, and an impressive review of Steve Howe's solo work. Finally we have some exciting news for fans of Jon Anderson. |
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| I am probably getting a bit OCD about all of this, but I find the Yes soap opera of sound to be absolutely enthralling, and I for one can't wait to see what happens next! |
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i swear my garage men turn into wolves
i am their lamb/when i bring
my second hand car in
(they almost howl with delight)
the bear of taxes awaits (inertial engineering
while we salmon fly upstream
he is making a killing!
Frankenfoods /GMO kills we worker bees
who do not know junk food
(someone tell the Queen!
streets of every city-ants
shot in clumps/when is a coup
not a coup?
"poisoning pigeons in the park"
homeless cannot sit,nor lay in Austin
Hawk police peck/get pay raise
fewer birds/hunting season
our face on every wing.
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In Victorian times every well-bred Gentleman had a 'Cabinet of Curiosities'; a collection of peculiar odds and sods, usually housed in a finely made cabinet with a glass door. These could include anything from Natural History specimens to historical artefacts. There has always been something of the Victorian amateur naturalist about me, and I have a houseful of arcane objects; some completely worthless, others decidedly not, but all precious to me for the memories they hold..
I used to be a collector of rock and roll memorabilia, but most of my collection went into my solicitor's pocket during my divorce from my first wife, and I never had the stomach to build the collection up again. However, people send me pictures of interesting things such as this: Helen McCookerybook's backstage pass from this year's Glastonbury Festival |
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On the third weekend of August every year for the past fourteen years we have had the weirdest weekend you can imagine. The Weird Weekend is the largest yearly gathering of mystery animal investigators in the English-speaking world. Now in its fourteenth year, the convention attracts speakers and visitors from all over the world and showcases the findings of investigators into strange phenomena.
Cryptozoologists, parapsychologists, ufologists, and folklorists are descending on Woolfardisworthy Community Centre to share their findings and insights. Unlike other events, the Weird Weekend will also include workshops giving tips to budding paranormal investigators, and even a programme of special events for children. The Weird Weekend is the only fortean conference in the world that is truly a family event, although those veterans of previous events should be reassured that it is still as anarchically silly as ever!
The event is raising money for the Centre for Fortean Zoology, the world’s only full time, professional cryptozoological organisation. The profit from food and beverages goes to a selection of village charities, mostly working with children.
How do you fancy spending three days of high strangeness, good food and great beer, together with the cream of British Fortean researchers in the middle of the glorious Devon countryside? By the way, I am sorry to have to say this, but as this is a fundraising event, tickets are non-refundable, although you are free to resell them should you be unable to attend.
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FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Lee Walker: Dead of Night
Andrew Sanderson: Russia Expedition report
Lars Thomas: The Natural History of Trolls
Judge Smith: Life after Death
Jon Downes/Richard Freeman: Intro to Cryptozoology
Nick Wadham: You will believe in fairies; you will, you will!
Tony Whitehead (RSPB): Starslime
Glen Vaudrey : Mystery animals of Staffordshire
Darren Naish: Adventures from the world of tetrapod zoology
Richard Freeman: Expedition repoort Sumatra 2013
Sarah Boit: Orbs from a photographer's perspective
James Newton (London Cryptozoology club): Bigfoot
Shaun Histead-Todd: Pre Columbian civilisations in america
Ronan Coghlan: Amphibians from Outer Space
Jon Downes: Keynote Speech
Speaker's Dinner at the Community Centre
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| INTRODUCING THE NINE HENRYS |
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| I think Peter McAdam is one of the funniest people around, and I cannot recommend his book The Nine Henrys highly enough. Check it out at Amazon. Each issue we shall be running a series of Henrybits that are not found in his book about the nine cloned cartoon characters who inhabit a surreal world nearly as insane as mine... |
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Hello all again,
Over the last few weeks, we have been negotiating a deal, and are very pleased to announce, that we have signed up with Hummdrumm Records (part of Itchycoo Records). They will now be handling all our digital releases, will be releasing our material overseas and we very much look forward to working with them. We hope to bring you more information as we get it, but exciting news ahead! So coinciding with the CD release tomorrow 13.07.13 the album will be available as a digital release, in the first instance, through Amazon, and itunes, and then others such as Deezer and Rhapsody. |
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| The album consists of 12 tracks with a plus 75 minutes of music & stuff finishing with an 11 minute epic title track 'TAKE ME TO THE FUTURE' featuring NIK TURNER, and also features the late, and very missed JUDGE TREV on two tracks 'DISTANT DREAMS' and 'STATE OF THE NATION'. The artwork and design was done by the very talented MARK REISER. We'd also like to give a big thank you to CYCLONE MUSIC PRODUCTION SERVICES LTD and to GRAHAM SEMARK for designing the CD label design, and going to the wire in getting the CD out in time! Big thanks to STEVE RISPIN, who recorded and co-produced the album at LISCOMBE PARK STUDIOS. |
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| RAY MANZAREK AND ROY RODGERS |
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“In our last meeting together before his passing, Ray and I were both very excited about the upcoming release of ‘Twisted Tales’. We signed off on the artwork and agreed that it should be released sooner than later. So, honoring that decision, I have proceeded with the release. We both were proud of this recording and hope that people enjoy it. This recording is dedicated to Ray’s memory” - Roy Rogers
Nevada City, CA - Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers have received no shortage of kudos since they first recorded together five years ago. Ray Manzarek’s signature keyboard sound was a cornerstone of The Doors - one of the most iconic rock bands of the 60’s. An inductee into the R&R Hall of Fame - he certainly needs no introduction. In the pantheon of music, The Doors’ music continues to be one of the most revered rock song catalogs of any band. Slide guitarist Roy Rogers has been lauded not only for his own recordings but for his long-time collaboration with harmonica master Norton Buffalo as well as his producing of 4 CD projects for blues icon John Lee Hooker and folk legend Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. He is well known worldwide for his mastery of slide guitar and has received 8 Grammy nominations for his work as artist and producer.
In 2011 Manzarek-Rogers released ‘Translucent Blues’- a blues-rock collection of songs tinged with poetry and literary references. The project reached #1 on the Americana Roots chart and debuted at #6 on the Billboard blues chart. The lyrical contributions came from such diverse co-writers as Jim Carroll, Warren Zevon and poet Michael McClure, among others. ‘Twisted Tales’ draws from some of those same writers to tell very different stories. Featured musicians are Kevin Hayes on drums, formerly with the Robert Cray Band; Steve Evans on bass who has performed with the Elvin Bishop Band; and George Brooks on saxophones, who has performed with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain.
The new release is a collaboration of keyboard and guitar sounds that merge with stories, images and art. These two amazing musicians create an intoxicating; plush sound that is - more than unique. Manzarek and Rogers are seemingly an odd pairing - but their new recording unleashes a stunning musical landscape for the listener - this music will ‘take you for a ride’… There is a full-length documentary film to be released examining their unique collaboration and friendship in depth this fall.
‘Twisted Tales’ is destined to become a classic, not only as Ray Manzarek’s last recording, but also as a definitive work of two great artists. Available at www.manzarekrogersband.com/ Amazon and iTunes and retailers nationwide.
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THE BEST LAID PLANS...
It has actually been rather a nice week here in the badly converted potato shed where my new assistant editor Captain Frunobulax the Magnificent and I labour on all the different projects that I do. |
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Things have been even more chaotic than usual, because we left home on Thursday to go to Norfolk for a family wedding, and didn't come home until late last night. I then consumed a half bottle of brandy and stayed up all night chatting to various Facebook friends. It was dawn before I went up the little wooden hills to Bedfordshire, and it was so bloody hot upstairs after days of baking sun beating down onto the flat tarred roof, that I came back downstairs and went to sleep in the chair.
Never mind, I thought. Apart from putting the newsletter out I have very little else to do today. Then at 9:00 I received a telephone call. Two very dear friends of mine, who run the CFZ American office, and who paid forour 2010 visit to Texas in search of the mysterious blue dogs are paying us a surprise visit.
At the moment, I am the only person in the household who is even half awake. I am going to let sleeping Corinnas and Grahams and Prudences and Kittens lie, and just play the rest of the day by ear. However, it does mean that I don't have a proofreader this morning, so if there are a few more typos than usual, please blame the peculiar circumstances.
Things are actually going rather well at the moment, and the next wave of Gonzo grooviness is imminent. As you know, I already do various podcasts for Gonzo Web Radio and I am toying with the idea of expanding this to something special, and doing a series of podcasts featuring music unavailable elsewhere, especially for subscribers to this magazine.
Remember that it doesn't cost anything to subscribe, and that in doing so you are joining an elite, and rapidly expanding group of music fans who believe that we are not being given the music or the cultural coverage that we deserve. We are living in disturbing and strange times, but ultimately they are very interesting ones, and continuing to chronicle the Gonzoverse is an immensely rewarding thing to do. Thank you for reading.
Until next week,
Slainte
Jon Downes
(Editor) |
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