Total Assault on the Culture - January 2024
Artwork: “Fifth Element” (2015), Michael Cheval
I would like to wish you a Happy New Year. Here’s to hoping this year is a better one for all. I had a busy few weeks in the run up to Christmas and things had to go quiet online, and by phone, while I handled driving duties, tour management and elderly parents. But normal service will resume shortly.
In the last few weeks, after a dysfunctional 2023 for many reasons, I found myself looking after Tour Management for a singer songwriter who goes by the name of D3lta. The band had a number of dates supporting Scouting for Girls and they put on a good show demonstrating a healthy attitude to the work involved. The Tour Dates gave me the chance to catch up with the Tour Manager and Crew who look after Scouting for Girls. Between them they have had a hand in looking after the likes of Bolt Thrower, Napalm Death and Shalamar. We had a lot to discuss. You can’t make it up. This is one of the recent D3lta Videos:
I also had a chance to catch up with an old friend who was looking after the other support, a singer songwriter from Finland who now lives in London: Anni Pohto.
After D3lta I worked with the amazing Alex Wilson and Omar Puente, with Venezuelan percussion powerhouse Edwin Sanz, and bass virtuoso Dimitris Christopoulos. I’ve worked on and off with them for many years via Peter Conway Management and good fun was had by all.
In case you wondered, Alex and Omar have performed with Wynton Marsalis, Courtney Pine, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Tito Puente and a whole host of other Jazz/Latin luminaries.
I finished the year by taking Transglobal Underground for a sold out show in Prague at Lucerna Music Bar. Someone filmed the whole gig on their phone.
In other news, this past year has been challenging to say the least. My thoughts are with all those in Ukraine, all those forced to flee for whatever reason, and all those under fire from the worlds most advanced weaponry in the middle east. One day, those people who decide to rain death from above will be forced to send their own children to the frontline and they might just understand the consequences of their actions.
Elsewhere, there have been some interesting developments in discussion and attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence, Music streaming, Arts funding, Political activity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. It’s probably fair to say the World’s Climate is heading into uncharted territory, and I’m not entirely sure where Brexit is taking the UK based music world I inhabit either. No doubt 2024 will reveal itself in due course. Nothing seems to make sense at the moment. Strap yourselves in.
Transglobal Underground
Transglobal Underground will be performing at Lewes Con Club, 139 High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XS on Saturday 6th January 2024. The Show has sold out too. https://www.lewesconclub.com
Transglobal Underground and Rob Bong of Children of the Bong will play at The Castle & Falcon in Birmingham on Saturday 27 April 2024.
Tickets available here: skiddle.com/e/37148367
Bandcamp Friday
The next Bandcamp Friday is on February 2nd. By supporting artists, we contribute to a vibrant and diverse artistic landscape that enriches all our lives. If you want a better world to live in, you know what to do https://ironmanrecords.bandcamp.com
Thought Crime
Sat, 3 Feb, 8:00 pm
Thought Crime’ returns, with a new production of its signature mix, of reality ripping, spine tingling, heart shifting acts.
Bringing you a collective of artists, from the sublime - to the hilarious - to the downright dirty. All ready to commit you to the crime of thought.
Celebrating the launch of KUSK’S new single, “Wedding Planner”.
In honour of friend, musician, and original Thought Crime-er, Jason Winder.
Thought Crime Presents:
KUSK – “Crank, punk-rock catharsis for the wrecked and reckless” - an explosive Brighton based post-punk 3 piece, crackling with infectious riffs and an acid humour. Their live shows are visceral and disarming, sweaty and unrestrained and Thought Crime are very excited to host their first single launch of 2024!
Andrew O’Neil - an award-winning comedian, musician and best-selling writer. A psychedelic non-binary whirlwind, whocombines surrealism, polemic and good old-fashioned stagecraft to produce uniquely counter-cultural stand-up. They have performed in over a dozen different countries, at over a hundred different festivals and is equally at home in rowdy comedy clubs as performing to their own cult following.
Led Naols – an anarchic, dystopian folk singer/songwriter, who has spent three decades deep inside, outside, and loitering around the music scene, humming his own tune. With Thought Crime he is making a reluctant return, to rip it open, with his raw poetic lyric, ancient souled voice and pure guitar craftsmanship.
Mini Da Minx - an Electro/ Bass House/ Breakbeat DJ with a deep passion for a dirty bassline, a lady who is not scared to mix it up with all kinds of funky sh*t! Her phat and dirty basslines earning her the nickname “the little lady with big ballz ;).” Originating from the Czech Republic but honing her craft in Cape Town, she brought the party to London 17 years ago, becoming a regular player on the UK scene. Showcasingher superb skills of reading the crowd and delivering the perfect sound for every occasion across all four continents.
Venue: Off The Cuff
Arch 654, 301-303 Railton Rd, Herne Hill, SE24 0JN
£12 - The price you'll pay. No surprises later.
Freestone – Once known as Giant Redwood, the acoustic duo are returning to live performance after 23 years.
Once known as Giant Redwood, a Birmingham based acoustic duo called Freestone are returning to live performance after 23 years. The group have a lot of new music on the way. Visit https://freestone.bandcamp.com
The Nightingales
Live / Nightingales (thenightingales.org.uk)
John Sinclair
RADIO FREE AMSTERDAM 2024
BLUES, JAZZ & REEFER—KEEPING THE MUSIC ALIVE
Our internet radio station offers a continuous flow of music at our website RadioFreeAmsterdam.org where you can click the button and listen on the 24/7 stream just like a real radio station.
January highlights include four episodes celebrating September 23rd birthdays on Leslie Keros’s Mood Indigo series, Women’s Day observances by Bruce Pingree on The Blues Show and Roger White on BluesTime International, and four more scintillating episodes of the Don Was Motor City Playlist and our Saturday night Soul Lucille Show with Lucille DJ, all the way from Florence, Italy.
John Sinclair
www.johnsinclair.us
www.RadioFreeAmsterdam.org
www.theJohnSinclairFoundation.org
http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Sinclair/132833609285
55 Peterboro, Detroit MI 48201 USA 313 231 5764
Nederland & EU +31 63 158 2892
Robert Anton Wilson
The Robert Anton Wilson Trust: rawtrust.com
The Robert Anton Wilson Website: rawilson.com
The RAW Trust’s Hilaritas Press: hilaritaspress.com
Flying Lasagna Enterprises: flyinglasagnaenterprises.com
RAW’s Guns and Dope Party: www.gunsanddopeparty.net
Brendan Higgins
Brendan Higgins would turn up to the poetry afternoons I used to organise under the guise of Badger Promotions more than 20 years ago at the Adam and Eve, Birmingham.
In fact, Brendan was often the ONLY person to show up to the events I organised, other than the performers. He was always the first to arrive, and he often tried to buy me a drink when he ordered his own. He loved the poetry sessions I organised, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the cause.
Brendan sat at the bar and laughed out loud, and often by himself as few people spoke to him for long. Everyone knew who he was though. I always spoke to him, and often got drawn into quite lengthy discussions about all sorts of madness I had no understanding of.
One Sunday afternoon, Brendan turned to me after the first act had finished their poems and said: “Hey Mark, I’ve got a poem for you, it goes like this…..”
I have no idea what Brendan said next…I just remember him shouting, and spitting the words at me and I wasn’t sure if he was issuing a complaint, telling me to fuck off, or opening his heart to tell me something important. When Brendan finished, he paused for some time and then said, “…What do you think?”
I had no idea what he had just said to me. I had caught some of it. It was about shopping. I said something along the lines of “That was great, but why are you telling me all of this? There’s a Mic over there, why don’t you go on next and just say exactly what you just said to me, but say it through the mic so everyone can hear you?”
I watched with interest as he processed what I said.
“Can I go on next and do my poem?” he asked.
“Yeah, but drink more, then do the poem.” I said.
Brendan took a big gulp from his pint glass, and taking it with him, he walked to the front, took the mic and started his poem. Without any warning.
The room fell silent as a confused audience struggled to understand if he was the next act, or just some mad bloke who had grabbed the mic.
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. Brendan tore into his poem. He was careful not to spill his beer as he went. People laughed, people turned their heads. Brendan stopped everyone in their tracks. The Audience were stunned into silence as they listened. When he finished there was an explosion of laughter and applause. Brendan was almost in a state of shock. He had performed his poem and everyone loved it. He came away grinning and sipping his drink with glee. He came over to me and asked “What should I do now?”
“It’s simple” I said. “Don’t ever stop…. That was great.”
Brendan didn’t stop. He just went on, and on, and on again. Here’s a picture of him all these years later in action.
I think it was Albert Camus who said “Those who lack the courage will always find a philosophy to justify it.”
On his facebook page, Brendan described himself as a Poet, Writer, Musician, Actor, International Sex Symbol, and Professional Bull Shitter.
Camus defined the absurd as the futility of a search for meaning in an incomprehensible universe, devoid of God, or meaning.
Brendan couldn’t have cared less. He just took the mic and started at the start. And he wasn’t going to wait for you to take your seat either.
Shopping! Shopping! Shopping! Every Fucking Day!
Shopping! Shopping! Shopping! Get Out My Fucking Way!
Rest in Peace Brendan. Thank you for all your good work and the kindness you shared.
That’s all for now
cheers
mark
Iron Man Records, UNIT 8A, Western Industrial Complex, Western Road, Birmingham, B18 7QD
https://www.ironmanrecords.net
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