www.H].*/jinxx idea/.org DROUT

derived viz kant,,wronger-grammar/shop-soiled meme

000 oo.

there we was, going at it, going somewhere non-specific, ill-defined, freeformed, when - loving the shapelessness, on some tiny level - we sang out something-like, or precisely-like, http://www.iupac.org/publications/pac/1989/paf/610x0605.pdf

.......zzzzzzzzzzzz [sic]

prolegomena ditto

camus is here to see you / sic /

updatum

Hope last night went well. Pissed I couldn't make it, actually! Nice time with visitors, though. So all well. We were right in * We need some kind of meeting - not least to ascertain *. With that we can plan some strategies for making the best of the improv situation. Just to say again, a * thing is not my thing. So, in that sense, I am in the dark about how ** see things. A line-up of * is difficult to streer away from * in my experience! So if we do go for that line-up, we need to devise some kind of effective filter/situation/series of limitations to keep it *-free! Neither, though, does it want to be *! No point, for me - as I said - in being a parallel *. Personally, I am after a more defined art and sound beast; substantially moving on from the things I have done before. That, with a punk tinge - aesthetically in some ways, but more to do with attitude, as we discussed - will, I think, be very interesting. As you can see from the stuff on my blog http://murmurists.blogspot.com I see visuals as part of the thing, and text, and inventing a kind of fiction - all helping to gain a real identity, as you said re. the punk flyers, etc. I see nothing wrong with being, well, 'utopian' in that sense, in terms of outlook. I'm all for realism and pragmatics, but one still has to dream! I might be in my 40s, but I am anything but jaded! And I'm not talking about limiting it all to the cold chill of Northamptonian opinion, either! With all that in mind, I emailed * - canvassing his feelings on being involved. I am impressed with his artworks/soundworks and with his general attitude and vitality. He expressed a definite interest and is getting back to me. Again, a meeting is in the offing. Hope that all sounds good to you. Let me know your feelings when you've got a minute. Hope your weekend is relaxing. Best wishes, Anthony

variousing

Ta mate. Always lovely to hear from you. Like your style; some of your expressions kind of happily teater, almost don't signify... What do I mean...? ie. use of '...balm...', starting with '...oh i...'. Yeh - nice rock/hard place configuration, too: 'open heart', on the one end; 'who gives a fuck?', on tuther. You must use 'boiling of fruit and sugar then cooling and containing...'. Evocative phrase: music is alchemical, cookery. Pretty picture it does make. Evo Cative could be one of my fictive murmurists; hommage to Ste E. Devo(lution) - good choice of theme, hommage; ditto Residents? But - wow-wise - 'Planet Earth' by Duran Duran - now you're talking... ! Glad Jack likes our radio thing. Not bad at all considering conditions, and being first time improv. Can't get why you can't access, though. You tried usual, of manually typing in address? ...Course you have... There's a link on a recent blog posting, too - one which advertises actual radioshow; this works fine - click on header or address at foot of post. If you still get nowt, let me know; I can always burn you a disc. I'm filling a jiffy for you anyway. Oh, Matron... Fight the power. Anthony----- Original Message -From: Roj To: Anthony Donovan Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 3:57 AM Subject: RE: all we want for christmas is your two front teeth. oh I; track attached was that kitch element I was talking about. was nice balm to that heavy stuff and done with an open heart. who gives a fuck anyway eh not accusing the art of being like; of course; it just reminded me of. just enjoyed a superb ‘boiling of fruit and sugar then cooling and containing’ with evo and jack. send you the fruit. we were thinking of doin some covers , or at least one. ‘planet earth’ by devo is top of the list at present. on way home, jack mentioned your radio ‘jam^’ and full was of praise. I’ve not listened yet. still can’t get it to work. feel like a chump. what the fuck! chill. laters bud -----Original Message-----From: Roj Sent: 25 February 2006 03:38To: 'Anthony Donovan'Subject: RE: all we want for christmas is your two front teeth Cenobite -----Original Message-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 20 February 2006 20:13To: Roger LitherlandSubject: all we want for christmas is your two front teeth Hey Roj Try this stuff on for size please... This is the cover material for an album called ALL WE WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOUR TWO FRONT TEETH Joke threat; cover's feeling of mock confrontation backs this up, or is intended to but see what you think reactions appreciated A No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.1.0/269 - Release Date: 24/02/200666

Fossil Tree, Mull, Scotland

Mull, Scotland

J.G. Power-Ballard & Lee Lifeson-Peart, 2002

variousing

Cheers for kind words re blog images, Roj. I try! I do think it is coming together, actually. There are several nice strands in there now - words ones, and different types of images, naturally grouping, and meanings are developing, for me anyway. Plus, I've been working pretty hard on developing a folio of proposed CD covers - recto and verso - and disc coverings. These are in sets - together with CD title, personnel lists, album tracks. I have about six in the bag at the moment; when there's nine (why nine? ... ?!), the intention is to send them off for freelance work. It's something I've wanted to do - obviously - for ages, and I'm going to give it a go. My thinking is to affect a style; there's one there anyway, as you would expect. See how that approach goes; rather than trying to cover bases by having different styles. I have your latest piece playing now, for third time. Thanks for sending. Pretty Gnarlish, if that's ok to say. That bass riff - sounds like a flat fifth change - is one thing; but the general air is similar. A good thing, in my view! The Tee Hee thing as it appears on the blog is intended to be^../\ sting stings. Elsewhere - and everywhere else, as far as I knows me I do too - £ remains upright; though there is some knuckle dragging...gibbon half a chance. Should the shit hit the man, though... so be it-type feelings dawn in my blog blog head; I thinks me...so fekkkkking what! The truth might be OUT THERE...but it's IN HERE, too. And anyway... the impetus was/is satire, savage though it may be. It's savagery comes from its accuity. Dialectics-u-Don't-Like Ltd. I just loved the Boosh thing, and then found the pink thing, then satire ratified the two. JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMM.... '...when ambling down Robins Lane, towards a nano-town, you gets accosted by unreasonable mushman, all *-looking tash and * gaunt, with degraded * as * emerging. He says, 'I know you, and this is my Tree, Ste...' (He calls you Ste; for Ste you be.) You say, '...I cannot see your trees for woods...'. And then you thinks, what makes my tree the tree you see? When all around is speaking thus, and all you hear is m...m...mannish mush, then welcome... Hhhmmh ... third class honours degree ... welcome in Jam, Jaaaaaaaammm, JJJJ J J aaaa M...mmmmm... *Chill*Anthony----- Original Message ----From: Roj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 1:02 AM Subject: RE: ....... can’t get this workin. bollocks. i’ll try again tomorrow. there’s some wicked pictures on the blog there fella. nice one. had me laughin. bit savage *, but fair enough. these years, *6000..@. scary mo fo yo. eloquent stuff man. and uneasy. your knocking out some good art there fella. I sensing you’re on top of your game completely and really enjoying it too. glad for yer. how did the ‘jam’ go then? -----Original Message-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 19 February 2006 22:27To: Keith Cc: Roj Subject: ....... Dear All Here http://www.gardenofearthlydelights.com/MIXES.html is the link to listen to murmurists live improv on radio. best wishes No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.11/264 - Release Date: 17/02/2006

Jape Clogger / Pie Dinner

the needful are here to see you / gold-plated UB40 / diet coke stroke

around the sickbed

Skellig Michael, Eire

1. . ... . ... / .ought

Iain Sinclair / warm wet grass / Crinkle Crags / Vox AC30 / Child Benefit

porno adorno, cafe abdab, 2006

+/- filliou.\ unworth 20 fafillion £s

prose knows cover / as engines cut out

never been in a riot

part of an equation

Gaping Gill, Yorkshire, UK

aggregate-types, itinerant-like

some haptic robert filliou / conversation stoops cleaning / xmas in bed

murmurists play live improv

TONIGHT ONLY

M U R M U R I S T S

*

LIVE IMPROV

on

S H A N E Q U E N T I N ' S

...G A R D E N O F E A R T H L Y D E L I G H T S...

radio show

on

C R M K

*

*

*

indeterminate line-up: indeterminate results

*

you can listen on cable television in Milton Keynes

elsewhere the result to be podcasted after the event

*

go to

www.gardenofearthlydelights.com

variousing

Hi mate!Really liked the artwork you sent. Can supply no critical reasons why, you know me, but can tell you that if i spotted that cover i would be intrigued and keen for a listen as soon as. The rear cover suggests a rich stream of background/world view to explore and discover and the front is striking in an excellent way. Love the black and blue colour scheme, suggestive of a bruising encounter (to me anyhow); in a rewarding way, as in the enjoyment of a challenging and expansive experience. Love the 'pig ignorant' image tucked away in the bottom right :) Find my eyes drawn that way each time i check it out. I'm hoping this cover means an imminent release. Would be great to see one soon. Should be jamming ourselves again tomorrow :) How are your jams set up mate? House? Or are you using rehearsal rooms now and again? Be in touch soon mate, all the best - Davey No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.10/263 - Release Date: 16/02/2006

Disney Gombrich, Cafe Abdab, 2006

Gombrich, now bassplayer with Newsnight

ubervariousing

...God knows who's behind me! I mash so much I forget the sources! Some nice uglyboy self-portraits recent on blog----- Original Message ----- FromRoj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 10:00 PM Subject: RE: meme - u – like ///you look fucking scary there mate. and who is that bloke at the back with eyes like Alan Rickman in harry potter?-----OriginalMessage-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 14 February 2006 20:09To: Roj///Subject: meme - u – like iiiiiiiiiiiiive ne'er looookt beta, max No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.8/260 - Release Date: 14/02/2006 Thanks. Comparisons are fine. Show us yours! ----- Original Message ----- FromRoj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:57 PM Subject: RE: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso///////////would make an excellent stained glass window. gilbert and george esq. and an acerbic nod on the back cover to that bonzo dog band track where they introduce all the different famous players as the track builds up. sorry to make comparisons; Paul Morley’s style all over. ‘somewhere between gilbert and george and the bonzo dog band’. how’s that. it gets better the more you look at it. is it ok if i show you my cover for our album? -----Original Message-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 13 February 2006 20:16To: Roj/////Subject: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso. Dear Roj Reactions/opinions sought about attached artwork please. Semi-fictitious/wholly-fictitious array of names offers references to cultural matter in an unwilly-nilly fashion, but perception dependent upon familiarity with words, phrases, names, and meaning of each mashing. Appreciated. Best wishes, Anthony No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.8/260 - Release Date: 14/02/2006 Cheers Roj - We understand one another, mate. You hit the nail on the head, I reckon; in saying * ***********************************************************8 No question. But life goes on; one cannot pay the same debt over and over. One day the worm turns... It is perfectly possible to be driven up the fucking wall; and ***************************. Best wishes, Anthony Original Message -----From: Roj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:38 PM Subject: RE: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso Thanks dov. a metaphoric balm. thankyou for that mate. it has/does help. re: that – the only sane ones there^^^^^^^^^%+ Best wishes, Anthony----- Original Message -----From: Roj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 7:44 PM Subject: RE: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso oh I, well familiar with Boosh. going to watch them at Southport in March with Adele and our Yaz. Yaz loves it. woops; it was a piece?!; soz, I thought you was annoyed and making yourself chuckle with some savage history recompense dark poetry or somat. still >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you just got to laugh I guess-----Original Message-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 15 February 2006 19:07To: Roger Litherland Subject: Re: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso Appreciate it, Roj. Don't forget to similarly check out my Mighty Boosh piece on Tee Hee Hee. If you didn't see Boosh episode in question it'll be meaningless in the particular but might raise a chuckle in the general! Bit of fun is all. I like to tread the boards, as you know....Best wishes Enjoying your music mate. I have your bits on a CDR now. it's a fave listen.----- Original Message -----From: Roj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:59 PM Subject: RE: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso Hey Dov, soz, I’ve not checked my mail for a few days, and now I’ve only got chance for quick one. first glance. like the cover alot. ties in with blog images. sense of uneasiness, dark unsympathetic perception twisting humour. and strangely aesthetic to boot. I’ll get back to you in more detail when I have looked and thought some more; and have time to write back bud. thumbs up tho on first glance. nice blue -----Original Message-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 13 February 2006 20:16To: Roj Subject: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso Dear Roj Reactions/opinions sought about attached artwork please. Semi-fictitious/wholly-fictitious array of names offers references to cultural matter in an unwilly-nilly fashion, but perception dependent upon familiarity with words, phrases, names, and meaning of each mashing. Appreciated. Best wishes, Anthony No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.8/260 - Release Date: 14/02/2006 No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.8/260 - Release Date: 14/02/2006 No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.8/260 - Release Date: 14/02/2006 My offering was both, Roj - these days, I see no diiference between pissing about on the blog with reality and referencing those people who are as cartoon-like and silly-headed as anything I've posted on the blog! Hee Hee is up for grabs; because he is a caricature already! I sympathise with your plight with, as I perceive it, nnnnnice to see you to see you nice. I take it $ Chomsky chat ...[...] the rest of them can only hope for reincarnation. Always up for a chat, if it helps, mate. Best wishes, Anthony ----- Original Message ----- From: Roj To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 7:44 PM Subject: RE: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso oh I, well familiar with Boosh. going to watch them at Southport in March with you just got to laugh I guess-----Original Message-----From: Anthony Donovan [mailto:a.donovan7@ntlworld.com] Sent: 15 February 2006 19:07To: Roger LitherlandSubject: Re: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso Appreciate it, Roj. Don't forget to similarly check out my Mighty Boosh piece on Tee Hee Hee. If you didn't see Boosh episode in question it'll be meaningless in the particular but might raise a chuckle in the general! Bit of fun is all. I like to tread the boards, as you know.... Best wishes Anthony Enjoying your music mate. I have your bits on a CDR now. it's a fave listen.----- Original Message ----- FroRoJJ...*^£ To: 'Anthony Donovan' Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:59 PM Subject: RE: proposed CDR cover - recto/verso6 My offering was both, Roj - these days, I see no diiference between pissing about on the blog with reality and referencing those people who are as cartoon-like and silly-headed as anything I've posted on the blog! Hee Hee is up for grabs; because he is a caricature already! I sympathise with your plight with, as I perceive it............Cheers mate! Polemic was partly tongue-in-cheek - exotic swearing, as Armando Ianucci called it; but I do like walking the line... He's lucky really, given my temper and familiarity with punching pretentious lights out. I kept out of it at the time because I felt sorry for the potheaded pixie, and didn't want to cause a rift between my real friends. I'm proud of the fact that I didn't, and floated above it all; whilst he lied his way into things. Honour eludes him. I'm tempted to tell his employer at times! Imagine that! Hey, I have his email already - I tore it from its mourings as a cc in a message from^. If you saw the Might Boosh you'll realise how I LAUGHED MY FUCKING HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and HOW THE IDEA OF HIM AS A HEADLESS PINK-COLOURED TIT REALLY SET MY WHEELS TURNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then, we were sorting some of the kids' toys, whereupon I finds me a small pink jellyfish. PPPPPPPPPPPERFECTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Out comes the webcam. Jpegs are us.... anyway...........AMDRAM I am! Later....""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2 T H = tee hee Dearest Roj Imagine you've just watch The Might Boosh and are feeling kind of Jam-style mock-aggresive, and listen to this please: And believe you me you, I was as surprised as I was, you are. Please view attacked picture. This is evidence that the artist Formally known as T He came round to see us all. He sat, pinked-up fashion-like, next to my piano, keyboard, oh lord why can't weeeee? ... LAPTOP is featured. I sat; he lolled. I listened; he explained why, in a semi-previous lifetime ago, he thought it ununiquely decent and necessary to sulk for ten years, about my wanting to 'climb his tree'; his art tree that is, I curiously supposed so. I never noticed the copyright myself. Never mind the crass, hairbrained pretention, in a shit-covered provincial type of cranial cul-de-sac. As if to illustrate this, Marillion like, he paraphrased: '...you know it ain't a crime when you're hiding 39...'. Tee Hee (dead funny this) remoulded this into '...you know it ain't a crime when you're hiding a barely-scraped third, in fine art, from somewhere called Stoke Poly...'. Who, given the appropriate trees, was I to inject logic or intelligence into the desert of his fuckwitly cretinesque pissbrained take on selfish tosh? All I know now is this (1) I got a 2:1 and then did a PhD, and this (2) I should've twated the cocksucker. As a basic health issue, he simply REQUIRES the latter. I fancy cutting off his arms and legs and making his cat pregnant. . Chill. Anthony - Release Date: 14/02/2006

variousing

I agree with the drift of what you are saying, Paul. Really, one can only ever suck it and see; this might even be the only way or the most desireable way with a project based upon improvisation. As I said at the outset in suggesting murmurists, I call what I do murmury; it being part of an array of allusions and references which I play with and hybridise. Watched Mighty Boosh last night, and thought 'fuck! that's my kind of thing...'. They just use different references. I felt the same in 1990 (was it?) when I first say Vic and Bob. The blog and the cover come out of that; and I'm naturally-productive, so I just work on stuff as I go. I offered the cover up for consideration to test the waters, and because I aim to make this part of what I do professionally.Don't want you to think I'm co-opting the conceptual identity of a group project. It's just me being productive and enthusiastic. I always have in mind Fluxus - ie. a looseknit but conceptually-defined corpus of activity, wherein each contributor offered whatever work s/he liked; which nonetheless became ratified as and identified with Fluxus itself. That's one motivation behind using the false-names. I'm not that interested in individualism as an end in itself; I'm quite happy to offer work for joint credit. But, of course, internally there's always that individualist dynamic. Again, it's suck it and see.I like the mystery of the enterprise actually. We are pretty in the dark about what it will sound like and feel like. Shane being a kind of Director is a factor, too. We are playing live; it'll be intimate, to say the least. Nowhere to hide! Hifi quite! Naked. I like the social experiment nature of it, to be honest. I can play my arse off - of course I want to need to 'impress', as an individual; but the challenge for me will be to feel my way through, as a comrade, whilst having faith in the situation itself. We all face this; and that interests me. That's why I like improv. It might be awful, embarrasing. Gets the blood going!In short, though, I have no problem with what you said at all. Thanks for saying it. In return, does any of my response strike a chord or ruffle a feather with you? Plus, hope your arm is better!Best wishes, Anthony----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Wilson" <*@>To: "Anthony Donovan" <a.donovan7@ntlworld.com>Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 11:02 PMSubject: Re: some news> hi anthony> thanks for the response.>> been thinking about murmurists activity and the more i spend time thinking > about it, the more i think it needs to be your project and yours alone.>> my gut feeling is that whatever you, roger, lee and i do should find it's > own way, it's own ideas and front-end. don't know what it is at the > minute, don't know what it might become and don't know what we're going to > end up with on friday.>> murmurists is yours: by nature of the investment you're making in it. i > think the cover's great, a fine distillation of your blog and the range of > work you've made for it in the recent past.>> whatever we end up with on friday is going to be an intriguing collision > of sounds and approaches. maybe following that we need to meet to talk > about what that could be called, how we could develop it etc.>> i just feel that rather than imposing a conceptual framework on it from > the outset, i'd prefer something to develop from the result of friday's > improv. that might be something we choose to call murmurists, or it might > be something else we end up with as a result of listening to what we play > and how we play it.>> let me know what you think> cheers> paul>> On Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 10:33 PM, Anthony Donovan wrote:>>> Nice one Paul. Congratulations and best of luck. It all sounds >> interesting, and hope it leads onto stuff.>>>> Any reactions to the artwork I sent?>>>> Best wishes>> Anthony>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Wilson" <..net>>> To: "" <*@yahoo.co.uk>>> Cc: <*@ntlworld.com>; "*" <*@net>; >> <a.donovan7@ntlworld.com>; <*@aol.com>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 9:58 PM>> Subject>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>> No virus found in this incoming message.>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.>>> Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.7/259 - Release Date: >>> 13/02/2006>>>>>>>>> -- > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG Free Edition.> Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.7/259 - Release Date: 13/02/2006>>

dot dot effing dot

wrongly dedicated as original sin; actually plagiarised sin

sinking the belgrano

Pear-Shaped Nin

Pear-Shaped Nin

INVITE AMERICA

flat, like the sun; all is samizdata

ibble obble chocolate bobble ibble obble out

forensically-precise J minor 16th sus kant

trick down memory land this one. dint dint free jazz

voice of a donkey; lungs of a motorbike

Jape Clogger, Cafe Abadab, 2006

Featuring nothing less than what is stated

re THE THREE JOHNS

Someone at www.jonlangford.de said of The Three Johns ... '...This casual Leeds trio--Jon Langford (guitar; also leader of the Mekons), John Hyatt (vocals, lyrics) and John Brennan (bass)--began by specializing in discordant socio-political guitar punk with trembling falsetto vocals; their career-long use of a rhythm machine rather than a live drummer has lent a unique tension to the group's sound. Some History compiles two singles (from 1982 and 1983) on one 12-inch, and is very much indicative of the trio's approach. Save for a surfacing maniacal edge, Men Like Monkeys and A.W.O.L. stake out more of the same turf. Hyatt's whining vocals would grate in large doses, but brevity--four songs each--keeps these two records from becoming downright annoying. The Johns plunge headfirst into dance-rock on Do the Square Thing. Lyrically oblique and riddled with innuendo, the title track is, for these thrashers, an extraordinarily slick piece of extended dancefloor fodder. Surprisingly, it makes a stronger impression than their usual dirges. Characteristics that might be tiresome if abused are kept judiciously in check on the Johns' first LP, Atom Drum Bop. The vocals don't wander unnecessarily, guitar lines are blindingly sharp and melodic and the production is crystalline. "Teenage Nightingales to Wax," "Firepits," "Do Not Cross the Line" and the odd ballad, "No Place," all help make this the trio's most fully realized endeavor. The two succeeding four-song EPs both show continued growth towards tuneful pop. Without losing any of their bite, the A-sides offer incisive comments on some pretty heady subject matter: America's destructive influence on continental heritage ("Death of the European") and yuppiesque self-centered apathy ("Brainbox"). The B-sides are more jagged, and just as strong. The World by Storm, released with a limited edition 7-inch live EP, is highly recommended. The Johns have honed their craft to seeming perfection: it will be difficult for them to improve on tunes like "King Car," "Torches of Liberty," "Demon Drink" and the pre-LP single, "Sold Down the River." Langford's commitment to the Mekons, as well as his high demand as a producer, temporarily put the Three Johns on hold. But that didn't stop the group from releasing records. Demonocracy is a highly recommended compilation of singles and LP tracks. The equally enlightening Live in Chicago--the Johns' first American release--dates from June 1985 and contains renditions (some of them already issued on the World by Storm bonus EP) of such material as "Teenage Nightingales to Wax," "Death of the European," "AWOL" and "The World of the Workers," as well as a brief (and uncredited) version of Madonna's "Like a Virgin." Deathrocker Scrapbook is accurately described on the cassette insert as "some great fun and games recorded by a very informal the Three Johns during the 1980's." A mad dash through the Johns' back pages--live appearances, outtakes, rehearsals, acoustic one-offs, etc.--captures the three in the extremely entertaining act of being themselves. Highlights: "Conversations with Freud" and "Cheap Computer." Although the sleeve credits utterly bollix up which cuts are from where, half of The Death of Everything was recorded live in Leeds at the beginning of '88. The rest of the tracks--including the Adrian Sherwood-produced pre-LP single, "Never and Always" (a straightforward hard-rock song that sounds like PiL)--are recent/new studio efforts. Although the Johns' range now includes thundering Glitter-rock ("Spin Me Round"), droning Fallish poetry ("The King Is Dead (Four Words Too Long)") and a neat Captain Beefheart cover, this diverse album is a bit short of the band's familiar ingenuity and fire. (Altricia Gethers, Ira Robbins)
From "Post Punk Diary, 1980-1982" by G. Gimarc:
February 5, 1982 Friday: Sisters of Mercy are seen playing live by X. Moore, who writes up a description of the goth band for the readers of NME. "This is York. City of red skins and blue collar rockers. This is a gig to be part of. Nice one. Sisters of Mercy's rhythm guitarist is in detention at school in Leeds. We wait for the little terror at the University. He looks about seven and the singer looks great. The bassist smells like he's just come from the 3 Johns. Spot the Mekon! Spiggy sings sommat about '69. Northerner takes detour through Detroit. This the MC5 of what? The Sisters go funky, Spigg hangs on like an unwanted junkie - some fucking nun! The music is all broken guitar strings and cracked voices. Pop! This is rock and roll insecticide. Skinny rent boys play scratchy guitar. Nice one. Sisters of Mercy slap and slam, the audience clap and cram the dancefloor. The Sisters whip out the single ("Body Electric"), flash both sides ("Adrenochrome") and the dancers call for more poison." May 25, 1982 Tuesday: The Three Johns make their vinyl debut with the single "English White Boy Engineer" and "Secret Agent" on the CNT Records label from Leeds. The 'a' side is a song that guitarist Jon Langford wrote while he was with the Mekons last year, a track that he has played solo for a John Peel session that aired several times since the Mekons recorded it in January of '81. The two other "Johns" are vocalist John Hyatt, a former member of Sheeny and the Goys and bassist John Brennan was in 25 Rifles. Even Jon Langford has another past experience besides the Mekons. For the wink of an eye, he was a member of the Sisters of Mercy. August 10, 1982 Tuesday: The Three Johns are a new group recently discovered by John Peel via their debut single. He sent them to the BBC studios to come up with some new songs for the program and the finished tape is aired tonight for the first time. Tracks played are "Pink Headed Bug," "Lucy In The Rain," "Heads Like Convicts," "No Place," and a cover of the oldie, "You'll Never Walk Alone." For the sake of the session they're joined by a fourth "John," namely John Henry on tuba and piano...'.

re THE THREE JOHNS

Dear Tralfaz Lovely to see your feature on The Three Johns. I've never seen Democracy at all. I do have vinyl Death of Everything and a recording of Atom Drum Bop; both of which I love. Listening now! I was taught by singer John Hyatt at Manchester Metropolitan University in 1990s. I love his art, too; seen a few exhibitions, and have some catalogues. You may know he was taught at Leeds University by Terry Atkinson. A brilliant artist; to whom Hyatt owes a lot. That said, I reckon the postpunk Hyatt attitude fed into Atkinson's brand of satire, similarly so. The Three Johns are a neglected area of postpunk, I think. The Mekons were interesting, of course; but there's little said - in Savage's 'England's Dreaming', there's nothing - about the earlier band which John Langrish was in. Great to come upon your page then. Cheers, Anthony

Porno Adorno / Decaf Bjorknutrino

A box of heavy books; one saying '...funny how [we] start to enjoy this taste of decay...'

Soutine Routine, Cafe Abdab, 2006

Pre-op pansexual, Soutine Routine, delivers speech on similarities between Elvis and Prog

Eno-Ob-Scene-O, outside Cafe Abdab, 2005

Soutine Routine / J.G. Power-Ballard

Routine and Power-Ballard share a joke

variousing

Cheers Dave I won't keep you with my usual lengthy replies... As soon as I get some recorded material, I will get it to you and to Bill. Bill's been kind enough to send several EMP things; plus a raft of Bjork DVDs. Matmos - the US duo who worked with her recently - are a current interest of mine. So that was great. The languid nature of the Bill:Dean:Aidie EMP stuff helps it attain a certain identity. I think, though, when more sporadic things come in - as when you or Dave P has joined the thing, it needs more work. This, of course, is obvious and reasonable - given the greater degree of complexity involved. With application, though, it could be really interesting. If I was still involved, this is what I would do! ... I would treat the wider EMP community as two houses: 1. The Languids, 2. The Sporadics. Dean and Aidie in the former; you and Noel in the latter; with Bill lying across each. In performance, I would allocate timeslots for each house, and structure the improv around that. An hour-long set of four movements - languid, sporadic, languid, sporadic - would both add colour and dynamics and ratify the 'social' problem of getting your shit together and gigging. That's my offering anyway! Re offer of vid/dvd software - much appreciated, mate. What I would do is remove Nero 7; just duplicating the progs and plug-ins you have; surely then I will attain the same results, once I've learned howto use it all! Nero 7 is 'buggy' here; good to know it's a software issue, rather than a me issue! Soon as you can manage. Take it easy meanwhile. Kurt disco - not surprising. Was it High Energy?! Best wishes, Anthony----- Original Message ----- From: David To: Anthony Donovan Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 8:08 AM Subject: video Hi Anthony good to hear from you too. Upcoming events sound great mate, will check out details and also book recommendation, sounds interesting. Excellent to hear you will be filming as part of event and that there will be visual element; strong one by the sound of it too. I've heard nero 7 a bit 'buggy' but don't know for sure,got version 6 myself mate. I use power producer to capture video, came with the desktop pc. Previous to that used 'pinnacle' on the laptop. I have a couple of programs also that i will send to you if you'd like to try them. It may be an issue with nero that's stifling you there, are you capturing them as mpeg2? That's the format for DVD. Plus i'm fairly sure i needed to get a 'plugin' for nero to handle mpeg2 properly re writing dvd material,but that may be different with version7, it may be standard with that. I will send you the other progs i have anyhow, they are dedicated capture/editing suites so may be better. There will be no viruses in your captured film, though it is not a bad idea to scan them anyway in my opinion,doesn't take long and puts the mind at ease. We have recorded both jam sessions, but both are in process of 'bill-isation remix'. I think some of the material is very good, but of course i would lol. I will send you some soon mate, see what you think. Of course it's fairly rough especially with this scenario being so new to noel but the session with dave parky yielded some excellent sections, and also the 1st session had some gems, listening to one now, though it needs cropping,has taken a while to build and get going. I would be very happy to hear the material you are currently producing, am curious what you're getting up to there :) If you can, give the dj prog of bills a good going over,you can really get some interesting things going with that, quite amazing really with it being a budget program. Had a surprise from kurt at work, he was the one actually gave me the dj program, he also gave me some mixes he'd done and they are really good. Obviously they are pure dance material. Very professional sounding. Before i go, if you want a copy of nero6 reloaded i can send you one and also the plugins for the mp3pro and dvd mpeg2 functions; the plugins may also work with 7 but i can't say definitely. Must get off for now mate but be in touch soon. I will be a few days prob before i get those progs sent to you but i most definitely will :) Be well mate, best wishes - Davey No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release Date: 10/02/2006

Lee Lifeson-Peart, Cafe Abdab, 2005

Pig Ignorant, Cafe Abdab, 2005

gg 00, Cafe Abdab, 2005

Betty Page-Turner, Cafe Abdab, 2005

Pie Dinner, Cafe Abdab, 2005

Xy Satie, Cafe Abdad, 2005

variousing

Hiya Dave Nice to hear from you. Lovely pic of The Audience! Cheers. There hasn't been a first gig as yet. First outing is Shane Quentin's 'Garden of Earthly Delights' show on CRMK radio. Live listening only possible if you reside in Milton Keynes; as it is cable radio. The idea, I'm told, is to podcast the performance; or, or possibly plus, making it available on Mix Upload site. You can check out both by putting details into Google et al. After that, there are two gigs planned - same venue, Club Sporadic, Loughborough, 25th March and then at their improv festival in May. Both will be audio-visual, with Paul doing his film/kinetic graphics thing. I'm filming Shane's show, so that may get mashed in there, too. I'm working on other things alongside. Got an article in a magazine, also. So, beavering away. Hope something comes of your associations with Bill, Noel, Dean, and Aidie. Any recordings? By now, I'm thinking my blog, considered in toto, is the best visual art I've ever made. It's feeling more cohesive and narrative-like as I post more and develop and add to ideas. Characters and small systems are emerging. It is wonderful for me, as so many people have been keeping in touch with my postings, and, via Wikipedia - an online encyclopaedia - people have managed to find me and establish contact, or, as with old Mail Art mates, to re-establish contact. This has been lovely. Can't deny, also, it is nice having some kind of discernible internet presence. Punch 'murmurists' into Google now and more than Sonorities comes out. Things happen on the back of that. It is, though, still early days; but, then, I've only been online since September 2005, so not doing too badly! It's been a steep learning curve, of course. But I do feel 'computer literate' now. What's evading me still - partly because I haven't spent enough time on it specifically - is the whole film area: ie. getting the camcorder stuff onto DVD, copying DVDs, etc. I have Nero 7; and it will talk to our Sony camcorder, but it's not keen on it. The films get saved in the Nero file, as you would expect; but when I come to open them later, more often than not the computer closes down - as akind of safety precaution; and there'snothing I can do to stop it. The upshot is that the files are not accessible. I've scanned the stuff for viruses - nothing there. Other than that, Nero works great - as I use part of it for altering jpegs, bitmaps, gifs, etc. What do you use? Any suggestions? Got book/DVD thing, Blocks of Consciousness, co-edited by Mark Wastell. (We saw Mark at Pyramid, Warrington; he was the one not playing the upturned harp.) DVD has some great stuff on it; including Mark and Rhodri Davis (the harp-player), and Keith Rowe, Evan Parker. Best wishes Anthony ----- Original Message ----- From: David To: Anthony Donovan Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 6:42 PM Subject: greetings Hello there mate! Apologies as ever for my tardiness and thanks for the pic :) It made me laugh when i got home this morning. Glad to hear all going well in the music front for you and that that area is busy. Sounds like you have made a good group of friends down there. How was 1st gig? Please remind me when radio set is on and which station. Looking forward to next gig? Still fairly slow here on music front though we had a jam last weekend at bills. Seems like it's just me,bill and noel at minute. Adie and dean were asked along by bill but didn't turn up, prior commitments i think. Good to see in your blog that you are in touch with mail art people and in contact with them again :) Check out the pic, trip down my memory lane :)

Eno-Ob-Scene-O (Omlette:Eggs Approach)

...weather chooses the target

Jape Clogger

part-shift

MOOD FOR A DAY

ROUNDABOUT

SOUTHSIDE OF THE SKY

HEART OF THE SUNRISE

LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND

for Annie

Candlemakers' Row, Edinburgh; with Annie, Matt, & Stuart, October 2004

for Annie

Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Here, with Annie, Matt, and Stuart, 2004

for Annie

Steep Hill, Lincoln, England; as if 6th April 2004

Broad Street, Ludlow, England

Beinn Alligin, Torridon, Scotland

Liathach, Torridon, Scotland