Gas Giants

Gav & Tom look back at Iain Banks "Millennium Novel" Dead Air in which the hero is a highly political left-wing Scots shock jock on a London daytime radio station (?) who clumsily gets himself into all kinds of trouble with spelunking gangsters, buffoonish kidnappers, and civil and criminal law. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Gav and Tom bring you another double feature film episode: two films that at first sight don't go together and show how they contributed to where we are now.1. Liquid Sky (1982) directed by Slava Tsukerman with Anne Carlisle, Paula E. Sheppard, Susan Doukas, Otto von Wernherr.2. After Hours (1985) directed by Martin Scorsese with Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Verna Bloom, Linda Fiorentino, Catherine O'Hara, and Cheech & Chong. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSRandom stuff mentioned….As I think I say at the start of the episode, the problem here is not finding stuff to put up, but the fact that there is SO MUCH stuff to choose from. This must mean that people coming to Zappa for the first time, perhaps through this podcast, even, is not going to know where to start. I have done my best to include some of the things that aren’t included or aren’t complete in the film.In the film, a lot of discussion is given over to Frank’s testimony to the senate committee on regulating the lyrics of Rock music. His entire testimony is here and deserves watching.That 1993 BBC docoI’m Frank….Zappa’s music is so diverse that almost everybody can find a track, or even an album, that appeals to them…Even this guy…but for the rest of you, we have cobbled together twelve of our favourites…This is a VERY brief overview, not even that really…after selecting these both Tom & I were saying “Oh crap, I can’t believe we left this or that off. Maybe you’ll get the Zappa tennis match after all, but who’s going to judge that?Interviews…In the episode, we seem to have made rather a lot of references to various interviewsThis podcast, which is often well worth listening to, has conducted interviews with almost all of Zappa’s kids separately, The Dweezil one is linked here because it’s the one that specifically deals with Frank as a guitar player and musical thinker, but the others are also worth a listen……like this one, for instance, which includes an interview with Zappa bass player Arthur Barrow.This amazing film covers many years of Zappa drummers. Watch it whilst it’s still there!Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Tom and Gav try Anthropomorphism on for size in this discussion of Jonathan Lethem's breakthrough debut novel.It’s difficult to separate Jonathan Lethem from this exhaustive podcast series about Bennington College and it’s influence on American literature of the 80’s/90’s, but this is the episode that deals specifically with the publication of Gun, with occasional music and Motherless Brooklyn. You can dive as deeply as you like…...and here's Jonathan Lethem talking about his favourite books with a big helping of Non-Bennington Autobiography to go along.Lethem's article, The Ecstasy of Influence, which he talks about at the top of the above interview.German listeners will already be familiar with this very successful example of anthropomorphic comedy involving, coincidentally, a Kangaroo. Metcalf’s world was probably shaped in large part by Flexians, the professional fixers of tawdry privatized and outsourced government policies that meet the needs of the private sector. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Show notes in Substack: https://gasgiants.substack.com/p/praxis-transmutation-mutatis-mutandisListen now | Discovering a distress signal from one of the Mother Ship's escape pods, Tom and Gav beam down, having first set their phasers for "Funky". This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSSatie’s Vexations… was Meredith Monk there at the 1963 complete performance? Did she stay there long enough to get the show for free?You never really need an excuse for introducing the Ursonate of Kurt Schwitters into the conversation, but could Monk’s vocalising style have anything to do with this?DJ Shadow’s 1996 track Midnight in a perfect world is one of the better known uses of a Meredith Monk sampleDeath will come for all of us, sooner or later, but if it speaks to me like this, I might have a hard time resisting…Here's a later interview...and a recent Guardian articleTom also mentions this in the Podcast.Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSS* A very detailed article about the book, including some of the locations* A Guardian article about the book from 2016 which gives a brief overview* There is a film of Hangover Square, which has nothing to do with the book whatsoever. The best thing about it is the Bernard Hermann score…Patrick Hamilton was an expert curator of thoroughly unpleasant people. Here’s a short animated extract of a radio play to make your skin crawl.Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSJust Another Elephant Boy's Saturday Graveyard Game. Chewin’ the Fat’s brilliant take on gritty 1970’s TV Drama…...and I managed to find the entire Play on Youtube! Look’s like the drink order wasn’t burned on my brain like I thought, it’s a triple Pernod and Southern Comfort.There's always space for this wonderful performance of Give My Compliments to the Chef!...and the power of 80's advertising.Here's an interesting article that Tom found, about a French photographer pitching up in 80's GlasgowDon’t take my word for it, try it out for yourselves!Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSSome of the cells from Alasdair Gray’s storyboard for the still unrealised film version of Lanark.Gray reads perhaps the most famous passage from Lanark, concerning Glasgow's unrealised magnificence.The Gray Day broadcast, which celebrated 40 years since the publishing of Lanark. I really can’t get enough of these storyboard images…should we crowdfund the film?Here’s a shot of Tom’s much thumbed copy of Lanark, presented to him by Bandmate Robert Armstrong…Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSRekursiv chip (pretty long), by James Lothian (1993). A beautifully-written story about Linn’s 1980s venture in computing.Paul Buchannan visits the old rehearsal space and talks about Tinseltown in the RainThis 1990 Documentary about the band's tour of America was somehow regarded as "lost", perhaps because it's completely infuriating!For the curious, here is del amitri's 1985 self-titled album, which led to Gav discovering the Blue NileYou often see the Blue Nile's habit of describing a scene in photographic detail compared to something like this...Linn records is still going strong, although The Blue Nile's back catalogue is on Virgin nowWin! 's Hi-NRG Banger becomes the world's first anti-capitalist Beer Commercial.We can't leave without talking in some way about Postcard records. This documentary goes into a lot of detail...Volume Magazine Compilation CDs (ootoob) and Rob Deacon obit (The Independent)Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSS* There's a lot of stuff about John Byrne on Youtube, but this funny, gentle interview catches the man at his best...* Think the episode where the band go to Buckie is far-fetched? Check out this story...* An interesting interview with the cast of the stage adaptation* Before doing Tutti Frutti, Thompson and Coltrane were involved in a sketch show called "Alfresco"* Here's a news report from BBC Scotland about Tam White* We've no idea how long this is going to stay up, but Tom has uploaded a few clips of Janice and Eddie ClockertyOwning Tutti Frutti If you look for this online, be prepared to come face to face with the ludicrous eighties gameshow with topless girls. Assuming that you don’t give up there, as of writing I think one episode is up on Youtube. It is possible to buy a region 2 DVD of the show for a reasonable price, but we have to ask why it isn’t available on a streaming serviceSuicideWhen life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. In the Uk or ROI you can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.For international helpline numbers, please visit Befrienders Worldwide: * https://www.befrienders.orgSearch keyword suicide returns support phone numbers in* Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=suicide* Duck Duck Go: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=suicide* Bing: https://www.bing.com/search?q=suicideSubscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSHere's a taste of what's coming up...Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSS* Node recordings on Discogs* 2020 interview with Dave Bessell* 1995 interview with Ed Buller & Gary Stout about the making of the EP* 2014 Interview about the making of Node 2* David Bessell's Youtube Channel has a few videos of Node in the studio* Terminus* Olivine* Here’s a TV feature about the whole event* * The only way to own the Media is to search around for a second-hand copy, however Tom had some FLAC files and loaded the up to YouTube. Let’s see how long they stay up there! * After the 1995 EP and album, Node made a second album in 2015 that is on Spotify etc. and there’s a recording of a concert at RCM. That’s all folks!* Hold the press. what’s this!?!?Speaking of trainsHautologists on Parade - Who’s getting spooked by the ghosts in the machine?* Radiohead discover the Ondes Martenot* LCD Soundsystem like a blend of new and old, it seems...* See what I mean...?* Hot Chip, a band that looks like the staff-room of a mid-seventies comprehensive, also like a blend of old and new* ...but how did they get the hottest girl in school to play drums with them?Three examples vintage-synth nostalgia-popNot to imply that Node sounds like pop music, ofc.That Minimoog solo styleIn which, for only a few seconds at the end, Coldcut deploy that rapid legato Minimoog solo style with pota, mod and filter sweep, so popular with certain players in both jazz and rock.Do You Mean Like This, Tom?We couldn’t leave this discussion without some honourable mentions…This, obviously……and here’s the Turangalila that Gav was talking about…Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSBilly Berg’sThe Club as it might have appeared at the end of 1945…….it was no party running a Jazz club back then. All that remains of the Finale Club, where Parker organised a steady engagement after Dizzy and the rest of the band went back to New York. The club closed soon after as a result of LAPD corruption, then tried to open again as a kind of musician’s cooperative. Quite a few of the bootleg recordings of Parker in California were made at the Finale.The Recordings.* A recording from Billy Berg’s does exist, a take of “Salt Peanuts” done for the radio station WEAF on the 24th of Jan, but I couldn’t find it. It’s out there if you really search.* Bird & Diz in light-hearted mood with Slim Gaillard, 29th Dec 1945.”Got to cut out? Gotta make a Jubilee? Well, All Reet!”Compare it with this version after Camarillo..The solo from Moose the Mooche…The Alto break from Night in Tunisia……then it all goes wrong.After Camarillo…Camarillo State Mental HospitalThe hospital then……and now, as California State University Channel Islands.Did Bird get Electro-shock treatment? Russell says no.* Tom interjects to ask: So what if he did?Some of the other characters in the story.Surely William “Bill” Claxton needs no introduction, but here’s the original of the photo in the book.Julie Macdonald’s haunting sculpture of Bird from 1956. Jirayr Zorthian with one of his sculptures.An article about the Zorthian Ranch.The recording of the jams at the party at Zorthian Ranch in which Charlie Parker takes part. The by now famous image of Bird and Diz, with Trane waiting in the wings….Here’s Trane’s second recorded solo, with Dizzy Gillespie from 1951….Bird with the young Ross Russell.Maybe we should leave the last word to Sonny Rollins…Not quite final, sorry Sonny, ‘cus Tom did manage to identify that comic book serious graphic novel about nuclear war in the UK in the early 80s was Raymond Briggs When the Wind Blows.Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSIs “Gulpful” a word?…I suppose it is now.Not everybody loves you…not even Orson…Spike Lee Likes you, though!Andy Griffith explains the fascination with Lonesome Rhodes… Some Vitajex, anyone?Watkins explains how they mess with your head… The Elder Paul Jones on the UK Sunday night TV show “Songs of Praise” If you, like Tom, want to check out The War Game, you’ll have to buy it; the equally shocking Punishment Park could be easier, however. Here’s the trailer; depending on where you live you might be able to see the whole thing on Youtube.Here’s a career ending moment.Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSS A slow afternoon in the Interzone… We talked about A LOT of music on this episode…all of it is worth further investigation, but if you just need a place to start, here’s a playlist.Ornette Coleman talks about sound as language.The Other’s Language: Jacques Derrida interviews Ornette Coleman, 23 June 1997. In this fascinating conversation, Ornette Coleman asked Jacques Derrida “Do you ever ask yourself if the language that you speak now interferes with your actual thoughts? Can a language of origin influence your thoughts?”Just by the way, does Derrida here explain why the French can’t do jazz?Revisiting the Master Musicians, a very interesting article on the blog On An Overgrown Path.Ornette Coleman and the Circle With a Hole in the Middle, by Robert Palmer, in The Atlantic 1972.Beginnings…Howard Shore gets his first break…The first stirrings of Free Jazz?Does this explain anything?Brion Gysin’s Dream Machine with the Master Musicians of JajoukaInterestingly, just as we were about to drop the episode, this happened...Brion Gysin doing scary Be-Bop with Steve Lacy. Everything is connected.In 2010 Ornette was a surprise guest at Sonny Rollins 80th birthday party concert in Now York, heard here in a 20-minute long workout of Rollin’s Sonnymoon For Two.Ornette jams with The Greatful Dead in 1993 (The Internet Archive)…How this all started…This sparked off a search for alternatives..This is Buchla 200e synthesizer…Morton Subotnick made Silver Apples of the Moon in 1967 using the older Buchla 100 instrument. Sam Shepard made Promises in 2021 using Pharoah Sanders, the strings of the London Symphony Orchestra, a Piano, a Harpsichord, a Celesta, a Fender Rhodes, a Hammond B3, an Oberheim 4 voice, an Oberheim OB-Xa, a Solina String Ensemble, a Therevox ET-4.3, an EMS Synthi, an ARP 2600, and a Buchla 200e, ffs.This was one…Frank Zappa reads the man who taught his a*****e to talk, the very same that Bill Lee recites in the movie.Just for the Hell of it (!) here’s Burroughs narrating a Swedish Movie with a great Jazz Soundtrack about witchcraft.The fascination for a particular author's typewriter is explored futher in this extremely imaginative and well crafted Hörspiel from the WDR...and here's a typewriter that could have kicked the s**t out of all the othersTom’s specific Naked Lunch special interestSubscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss22 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSOskar Kokoschka - The Power of Music (1918/20)Thomas BernhardA Scrupulous Fidelity, On Thomas Bernhard’s The Loser – The Brooklyn RailA short extract from a staged version of the novel.Thomas Bernhard as a patient, described by his half-brother.Losers, f**k-ups and vampiresYou know the types…The Glenn Gould less Travelled….Gould as a cultural critic…Gould and Liberace - The Music Show - ABC Radio NationalGould and his Nemesis…..Gould as a Sound Artist…there’s a version of this with images as well.…and finally, Gould slips into another persona the better to take on Mozart.Speaking of which……and the one more traveled.Owning Der Untergeher.* In German Der Untergeher. Buch von Thomas Bernhard (Suhrkamp Verlag)* In English The Loser - Thomas Bernhard Reissues - Books | Faber & Faber* Em Portuguese O NÁUFRAGO - - Grupo Companhia das LetrasSuicideWhen life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. In the Uk or ROI you can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.For international helpline numbers, please visit Befrienders Worldwide: * https://www.befrienders.orgSearch keyword suicide returns support phone numbers in* Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=suicide* Duck Duck Go: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=suicide* Bing: https://www.bing.com/search?q=suicideSubscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSPANIC - The Dithyramb DissectedWhere it all started…The Concert used on the CD, (thanks to Casa da Musica), complete with the score, (thanks to Tom)Poetry and Influences ( Some Dubious)The Poem the H.B. used as the initial inspiration for the work.At the beginning of the 20th century, many composers turned to the folk music of their countries in a search for a national cultural identity. In Britain the folk music was inextricably linked with the pre-Christian, or pagan past, which gave rise to quite a few pieces in which Pan appears, like this…or this……and perhaps this takes us too far afield, but isn’t it interesting to see the Saxophone turn up in the role of one of Job’s comforters in Vaughan William’s “Job - A Masque for Dancing”?Some background to the great God Pan. Contains a discussion of Occult matters.Arthur Machen’s masterpiece “The Great God Pan” , that H.B. specifically told Gav he’d never heard of, let alone read.…from there it’s just a short step to The Fall’s Leave the Capitol, with many Pan references. I’d put money on Birtwistle being completely unaware of this.The Dionysian Saxophone, a Short StudyPaul Gonsalves’s 27 choruses of Crescendo and Diminuendo in Blue at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival are a good example of Dionysian energy embracing an entire crowd. Even with the sound quality and lack of image, it’s still quite easy to hear how the audience is gradually moved out of itself into an ecstatic state. Newport again, but a very different Saxophonist. Out of all of Coltrane’s outpourings, this is one of the closest to the Birtwistle, I think. It’s not difficult to imagine Trane as the Great God Pan…Or maybe this. This is certainly the acid test for me to see if a piece of Contemporary Classical music is any good.Then again, it’s not just Coltrane. One of the most shamefully overlooked players in this field was Sun Ra’s tenor player John Gilmore. Listen to how this solo builds into an ecstatic explosion… Other Notable mentions should include… …and also this. Is this why Birtwistle wrote for the alto instead of the far more expressive tenor saxophone?Night’s Black Bird (2002)Albrecht Dürer’s Engraving featuring something that looks suspiciously like the Casa da Musica on it’s side…..everything is connected.Flow, my tears, fall from your springs! Exiled for ever, let me mourn; Where night's black bird her sad infamy sings, There let me live forlorn. Down vain lights, shine you no more! No nights are dark enough for those That in despair their last fortunes deplore. Light doth but shame disclose. Never may my woes be relieved, Since pity is fled; And tears and sighs and groans my weary days, my weary days Of all joys have deprived. From the highest spire of contentment My fortune is thrown; And fear and grief and pain for my deserts, for my deserts Are my hopes, since hope is gone. Hark! you shadows that in darkness dwell, Learn to contemn light Happy, happy they that in hell Feel not the world's despite. Why Ken Ueno?Tom and Ken were once in a band together with Jon Whitney called Blood Money Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSSpotify PlaylistUnfortunately, neither the Scientist Record, or Felix Kubin’s release were available on Spotify, so I chose other tracks by these artists to make sure they were represented.List of Purchases Oxfam - Byers Road, Glasgow* Archie Shepp - Fire Music. Impulse IMP 158* Art Tatum - The V Discs. Black Lion BLP 30203 Love Music- Glasgow* Scientist - Scientist At The Controls Of Dub. Jamaica Recordings JBLP029 Mono- Glasgow* Felix Kubin - 1:17. Gargarin GR2032 Vinyl Planet UK-Macclesfield* Bill Bruford - The Bruford Tapes. EGS 106* David Bowie - Young Americans. RS 1006* Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids. Virgin 202.968-320* Lester Bowie - The Great Pretender. ECM 1209.2301.209 Ändrä - Dortmund* Joe Harriot Quintet - Jazz For Moderns. Gearbox GB1503* Gordon Beck - Seven Steps To Evans. Stop Jazz JS-073 (H)* George Adams/ Don Pullen Quartet - Earthbeams. TI SJP 147* 50x Plastic Sleeves.* (We never got round to discussing the Gordon Beck LP.)* It’s also worth mentioning that I bought a copy of The Wire which included The Wire Tapper 56 and the great guy at MONO, (Tom could be more enthusiastic about the NAME, at least), gave me a free compilation CD called Muscles of Joy. It seems to comprise different works written and recorded over several years. Thanks again, MONO!* The opening of Mahler 9……and a strange similarity with this track. Japan live…Joe Harriot In a Sentimental Mood….…and if this doesn’t brighten your day, nothing will!Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSDirection, camera work, even actors…where had we seen that before?Well, maybe the strongest contender…A few years before Dogme 95 too.The cast and crew chat about the film in 2018….…and Jennifer Beals checks that Mom got her money back.…so is Seymour Cassel really The Great God Pan dressed as Santa Claus?So, Do You Want To Be In The Soup?In The Soup can be bought for under 10 lousy bucks. At the moment you can also rent it on Amazon Prime.Subscribe to Gas Giants This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSNikel Pallat of Ton, Steine, Scherben explains the dangers of expecting the media to act as an instrument of change….The complete documentary under discussion…This is what Curtis is really famous for……and we felt that this was a kind of afterthought to HyperNormalisation, but it can’t be denied that for a certain kind of person everything stood still when this came out on the BBC iPlayer.There are a number of good podcast interviews, but this one is generaly available for freeSubscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSSPOILERS coming…If you want to watch the movie without prejudice, watch for the spoiler warnings below.Photography examplesTom especially admires these of examples of photography in Strozek…MusicSonny Terry, Old Lost John featured two of Herzog’s movies. One with a dancing truck in flames, the other with the breakdancing soul of a gangster.Spoiler warning!Spoiler warning!I’m not really sure why I included this here, apart from it’s an example of very strange German storytelling…there is, surely, something of the Moritaten aesthetic here, surely? Or is it a bit of a stretch , maybe?Moritäten Briefly DiscussedA Moritäten Vorträger at work in Augsburg.Auction chantHow Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck – Beobachtungen zu einer neuen Sprache (1976 Herzog film for TV)The art of Adolf WölfliThe fascination held by “outsider art” over the artsy intelecual class makes Tom uncomfortable. The art of Adolf Wölfli is a well known example.The CastEva MattesBruno S. Der Fremde ist der Tod2003 documentary film by Miron Zownir. Version with English titles and subtitles “Bruno S. – Estrangement is Death”.Tom thinks these moments are especially notable* 3:02 Lars Bruno relates a story in which Bruno is rejected by the Cannes crowd from the premiere of his own film.* 38:00 Fritz Schuler and Hans Krause talk about how people were ashamed of Bruno except when they learned of his art, at which point he became an object of intense interest.A short film clip in which Bruno. S will freeze your bloodSuicideWhen life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. In the Uk or ROI you can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.For international helpline numbers, please visit Befrienders Worldwide: * https://www.befrienders.orgSearch keyword suicide returns support phone numbers in * Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=suicide* Duck Duck Go: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=suicide* Bing: https://www.bing.com/search?q=suicideSubscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSFurther reading* Yanis Varoufakis, And the Weak Suffer What They Must?: Europe's Crisis and America's Economic Future (2017). Puts the 21c economic and financial crises in the context of the history of the USA’s global financial and military hegemony. In particular it explains how the US economy shifted from productive capital to finance capital in the 70s and 80s and how it manages to maintain its hegemony despite consistently running both trade and budget deficits.* David Harvey, A Brief History of Neoliberalism (2005). Explains what Harvey calls accumulation by dispossession, the policies, practices, and ideology of what’s come to be known as neoliberalism.* Jeff Schmidt, Disciplined Minds: A Critical Look at Salaried Professionals and the Soul-battering System That Shapes Their Lives (2001). Details the power of class politics and class loyalty in the professional/managerial class and the sadomasochism that holds it together and separate from the rest of us. (PDF of whole book.)* Thomas Frank, everything he has written is relevant to this discussion. He has lots of articles in The Guardian that you can read for free. Recent books include Listen Liberal or Whatever Happened to the Party of the People and The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism.* David Graeber, Debt, the First 5000 Years (2011) and lots of articles and a number of books by Michael Hudson describe our current financial and economic power arrangements relative to a broad historical view of human social organizations.* Randal Wray, A Great Leap Forward: Heterodox Economic Policy for the 21st Century (2020) and Stephanie Kelton, The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy (2020). Both explain how money really works and debunk the neoclassical economic theology that serves accumulation by dispossession.Pods* The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One – BILL BLACK on theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay. A nine-part series explaining standard forms of control fraud, i.e. more-or-less legally robbing the bank you work for or own.* Why Biden Won’t Cancel Student Debt – Michael Hudson on theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay.* Debt Deflation and the Neofeudal Empire with Michael Hudson on Macro n Cheese with Geoff Ginter.* The Black Vote and The Bernie Sanders Movement with Glen Ford on Macro n Cheese with Geoff Ginter.* You should really watch the whole thing, but here’s the headlines….Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSS“I’ve Known A Few Performers In My Time…” Documentaries & InterviewsA very thorough BBC documentary on Donald CammellFrom the restored DVD of the movie.From the BBC Series Hollywood UK, this has some interviews that don’t appear elsewhere.Sandy Lieberson with some insights into the relationship between Cammell and Roeg.From the Timeline series a hair-raising documentary about Performance actor John Bindon.When the Sixties went wrong……and finally, a moment from about ten years after Performance, when Mick, perhaps unknowingly, suddenly becomes Turner.“I Need A Bohemian Atmosphere.” A Selection of Locations* The Film* The fascinating life of the owner of Lowndes Square * The Locations “Correspondence Not Answered!” Print* Colin MacCabe’s Excellent commentary on the film: Performance (BFI Film Classics)* Interview including many photos: 'Performance? I still don't fully understand it' – behind the scenes photos from the cult classic (The Guardian)* The Cult of Violence - John Pearson - Excellent first-hand account of the Kray twins, not directly connected with Performance, but full of background. Pearson didn’t like Performance, find out why!* I haven’t read this… "Performance": The Ultimate A-Z (Bloomsbury Movie Guide)* Or this… Performance: Donald Cammell: Nic Roeg: Pocket Movie Guide by Jeremy Mark Robinson * Or even this… Performance: A Biography Of The Classic Sixties Film by Paul Buck * Or… Performance: The Making of a Classic by Jay Glennie …and this costs almost seventy Quid, so no wonder. Is there any end to books about this movie?* On the other hand, rather than buying ANOTHER book about performance, you could attack it from another angle with this biography of Jack the Lad: Jumpin' Jack Flash: David Litvinoff and the Rock’n’Roll Underworld by Keiron PimMemo From Turner - Films Similar to Performance.Almost every Gangster Movie made after 1970 owes something to Performance in some shape or form, but there are some notable mentions…* Very Entertaining. This time it’s a reclusive actress and not a Rock star* Eureka by Anthony Quinn. OK, this is a book and not a film, except it’s a book ABOUT a film. Gangsters, LSD, BDSM and an enigmatic movie. Enjoyable fluff, but well written enjoyable fluff.* Satanic bikers, time portals and the Fall: the story of Mark E Smith’s secret screenplay (The Guardian)It wouldn’t be Gas Giants without a Mark E. Smith moment!* John Bindon with a brief character role in Quadrophenia.“Here’s To Old England” Owning PerformancePerformance is available to stream or buy through Amazon. It is also readily available on DVD or Blu Ray for less than a tenner. That’s more than equitable, surely? WE’VE BEEN COURTEOUS!!!!* “Ee ‘ad three number 1’s, two number two’s and a number four”* The soundtrack to Performance is also readily available in all formatsIt’s also worth mentioning that Performance was a big favourite of the Happy Mondays…* * Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSS* We faced an unprecedented crisis, but tens of thousands of second wave Covid deaths were avoidable – and unforgivable | Keir Starmer | The Guardian Sat 29 May 2021* BBC Radio 4 - The Corbyn Story - Available now* “With enterprises struggling, the Conservatives have lost their trust. Labour can now be the party of business.” Keir Starmer is right to oppose a Tory corporation tax increase | Alan Johnson | The Guardian Mon 1 Mar 2021Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSInterviews and Elaborate Explanations. In this short interview, BEE sets out a brief outline of his stump speech.Filmography I’ve put a MTV video here because the movie is an MTV video…The Bateman brother discuss finances in this unused outtake……and Patrick talks music.Do we really want to go this far? Tom: YES. After all, “design” worship is everywhere. Apple. This guy is awesome. YouTube explainers are so fucked up.“The last frames of Control, but not in black and white…”L.A. and other noir fascinations…I couldn’t resist it…https://www.wired.com/1994/10/godwin-if-2/Since we were talking about Whitney Houston, here’s Material and Archie SheppOMG, I LOVE this!!!!…and finally, VIBRATO IS A VARIATION IN INTENSITY; NOT IN PITCH!!!!!!(1) I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Remastered) - YouTubeSubscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSTony Palmer* In the News again! Arts figures leap to BBC’s defence over classical music TV output.* Not a great print, but if you needed any encouragement to buy this film, here it is.* …and here’s Gav’s Mum…John Cage?Tom thinks that Cage was onto something important here:Recounting a conversation regarding Cage’s reaction to Handel’s Messiah.“I had just heard The Messiah (sic] with Mrs. Henry Allen Moe, and she said, “Don’t you love the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’” and I said, “No, I can’t stand it.” So she said, “Don’t you like to be moved?” and I said, “I don’t mind being moved but I don’t like to be pushed.” When asked, “Is it possible to listen to The Messiah [sic] in such a way that the sounds can be taken simply as themselves?” Cage answered, “I think so. But you’d have to listen to a lot of other music at the same time, in some kind of Apartment House situation. Then it might be very entertaining. You can get rid of intention by multiplying intention. That’s what’s at the basis of my work with Musicircus.” Recounted in Conversing with Cage, 234. John Cage Empty Words Milan 2 Dec 1977And finally…Your and our palate cleanser after 7 and a half hours of high-art film documenting the most ambitious high-art music theater, and after this endless podcast is this short but marvelous excerpt of low culture contained in another work of over-baked high-art, Heaven’s Gate.Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSInterviews, Written Word, etc…* Tales from Topographic Oceans - Wikipedia with a surprisingly good account of its creation.* Gong (band) - Wikipedia with the all-important flow chart.Sound & VisionIgor does it straight….National Health does it Prog!Meanwhile, on the dark side…The start of the fascination.Gong shows us their Jazz chops……and for those of you watching in black and white, here is the Jazz version we played an excerpt from* Stan Tracey Quartet – Arcadia from South East Assignment – Steam SJ108One of the greatest moments in music.The Origins of M. Malherbe’s unusual nickname…We need to talk about Pierre Moerlin.They’re still listening to Jazz…“We were doing asymmetrical rhythmic patterns…” The Bass moves the first beat of the bar. Here’s the same riff from Steve Hillage’s later solo albumThe Salmon Song includes a bassoonShout out to Lindsay Cooper!The Fall and Gong?Unknown to us at the time of recording, on the Oh! Brother podcast, Grant Showbiz outlines the connection between The Fall and Gong …really… How to get closer to the Planet Gong(Owning the Media)Because the Planet is, you realize, one of the spots before your eyes…seriously, part of the fun of the trilogy is the art work which is best appreciated as it was intended - on a record sleeve. Hit up Discogs, trawl 2nd hand record shops, flea markets, record fairs, you should be able to find the separate records for around €20 each, earlier pressings obviously bringing more. For the non vinylist, however, it is worth considering this: Gong’s brilliant but wayward history is reflected in its history of the slings and arrows of outrageous record companies. All of the albums can be found on CD with one or other cover on the front, sometimes albums that don’t have anything to to with each other are paired together or broken up into rather lop-sided compilations. There are a number of live records out there, some of which have some studio rarities mixed in as well. There have been two attempts to put everything into some kind of order to give a serious overview to the work of the band - * The Charly Boxed set (2015) is a four CD set with a remixed version of all the albums and an extra CD of alternate mixes. It comes complete with a very nicely assembled book of photos, sketches, articles, tickets, flyers, etc. This edition was NOT authorized by the band. It currently retails at €70 or so on Amazon.* Love From the Planet Gong - The Virgin Years 1973-75 is a much more ambitious affair comprising 13 CDs, artwork and a book. Each CD has the album in question followed by a selection of outtakes and alternate versions. Also included is the Album “Shamal” (1976) which was not part of the Radio Gnome Invisible story, but was an album for Virgin, but for some reason does not include the earlier album Camembert Electrique. which predated the trilogy, but was released by Virgin in 1974. The entire collection has been curated by Steve Hillage and includes sessions for the BBC some live concerts, etc. It is very extensive, but not cheap and you can expect to pay around €130 for it.Of course, it goes without saying that all of this is available on Spotify to stream online, but where’s the fun in that?Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSEarly inspirationTräume - Günter EichAn extremely scary radio play from 1951 which, despite being preceded by a warning, caused a storm of protest from traumatised listeners. “Who is this man Eich?”, wrote one, “ Can’t you lock him up?”Generation Kassette - Die Stimmen unserer KindheitAvailable in Spotify. WDR Hörspiel-Speicher. Less controversial than Träume, a radio documentary about the German tradition of recorded plays (Hörspiele) for children which formed an important part of Felix’s childhood.Deutsche Kassettentäter #1Part 1 of Felix’s lovingly curated collection of the work of German bands from the early 1980’s. Info. Listen on Radio Web MACBA. Very cool.Hörspiele / Radio PlaysParalektronoiaEven for the non German speaker, Paralektronoia is fairly easy to follow.Mother In The FridgeFelix subjects his poor mother to a series of audio indignities.Liedertafel Margot HoneckerFelix’s responsibility in the Kommunistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (Communist Unity Party of Germany) was music and he directed the Liedertafel Margot Honecker. MP3s of this post-Soviet German communist musical propaganda are available at, of all things, WFMU (and, ofc, the tubes of you).Don’t miss the short film Rote Grütze.Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSFilms of Films within Films…Hellzapoppin’ (1941)Interestingly, the narrative is almost as confusing here as in Inland Empire, but for very different reasons.The Mistress (1992)Is Film as serious as your life?The other Side of the Wind (2018, kind of)Is Life as serious as your Film?Ed Wood (1994)Are You Serious?The Stunt Man (1980)Are You Alive?The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)What is Real?Atame! (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) (1989)What is that dance?Owning the EmpireInland Empire should be available on either DVD or Blueray from most places at a cost of around €10 or so. At the time of writing it doesn’t seem to be available to be streamed legally.Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Gav’s personal copy of Vineland, which has been with him since the dark days of 1990…Newspaper Articles.* “The Novel And The Secret Police”. Peter Coviello takes a look at the novel from a 2020 perspective* “Rereading Vineland by Thomas Pynchon” Andy Becket , The Guardian 31/07/2010* Wikipedia Page about the Industrial Workers of the WorldSound and Vision.* Easy Rider - ( 1969 ) Ending* Musical References in Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland”A wonderfully complete youtube playlist that saved us a lot of work!T.V., Documentaries, Interviews, etc* Inside the mind of P.A Swiss / German TV Doc* Thomas Pynchon - The Late Show 31/1/1990, BBC TVA feature about Pynchon put together by the BBC for the publication of VinelandOwning Vineland.Vineland is available in paperback for about the best 10 bucks you’ve ever spent, pardner.Subscribe to Gas Giants podcast on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSSubscribe to Gas Giants podcastRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

Subscribe on Spotify ∙ Stitcher ∙ Apple ∙ Pocket Casts ∙ Google ∙ TuneIn ∙ RSSGav and Tom listen to Side B of In A Silent Way, a milestone album in the music of Miles Davis and a monument marking the beginning of the era of jazz-rock.Media discussed in the show.In the case of recordings, if it says “available in all formats”, that usually means that it’s been repressed on vinyl recently. “Available in most formats” will mean that the record is available as a CD, on Spotify or, as a last resort, on Youtube; vinyl will usually be available secondhand through Discogs or your friendly neighborhood record shop.RECORDINGS* 1969 Miles Davis - The Complete “In A Silent Way” Sessions - Sony These are in a boxed set of three CD's for, I kid you not, 129 US dollars on Amazon, although they can be found online for around 50. The complete material is available to stream for the usual Price. The version of “In A Silent Way” that was issued in 1969 is available in all formats.* 1968 Miles Davis - Miles In The Sky - LegacyEasily available in all formats* 1968 Miles Davis - Filles de Kilimanjaro - LegacyEasily available in all formats* 1981 Miles Davis - We Want MilesEasily available in all formats* 1964 Miles Davis - Miles Davis Live in Europe. Columbia (and others)Easily available in most formats.* 1967 Miles Davis - Circle in the Round (Album released 1979)Still available in most formats.* 1985 Miles Davis - Aura (Album released 1989)Available on most formatsYOUTUBE* Miles Davis- Live in Tokyo 1981The band that made “We Want Miles” on Japanese TV. Taken from a VHS, but quite acceptable sound quality.* It's About That Time - The Evolution of the Groove 2007A remixed version of the track, featuring Santana. By all rights, we should hate this, but we really love it!* 1968 Gordon Beck Quartet - Experiments With PopsOriginally released on Major Minor Records in the UK, was remastered and released on CD by CD Baby in the UK and in the US by Art of Life Records. Well worth a listen. A good candidate for a re-release on 180 gram vinyl, if anyone’s looking for an idea for a Record Day Drop!* Danny Thompson Trio BBC 1967It looks like this, or something like it, was released on CD but might now not be available. There is, however, a video on YouTube at the moment, a BBC broadcast and well worth a listen.* Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage, Acts 1,2,3. 1978. Zappa RecordsAvailable in any format.* Frank Zappa - Shut Up An’ Play Yer Guitar 1981. Zappa RecordsAvailable in any format.* Ilhan Mimaroglu/Freddie Hubbard- Sing Me A Song Of Songmy - Atlantic 1971Was out of print for a while, but is now available in CD and Vinyl format, but you need it in vinyl so that you can read the interior of that gate-fold inner sleeve!* Jon Hassell - Last Night the Moon came dropping its Clothes in the street - ECM Records 2008Available as stream or mp3 download - CD and Vinyl commanding impressive prices secondhand!BOOKS , INTERVIEWS AND OTHER MEDIA* Miles - The Autobiography. Miles Davis with Quincy TroupeSimon and Schuster. 1989* So What: The Life of Miles Davis. John SzwedArrow Books. 2002* Interview with John Mclaughlin about the recording of "In a Silent Way"Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com

In Gas Giants, Gav and Tom discover and explain truth and meaning in the world by examining our cultures artifacts one at a time.This trailer should make things clear enough.Subscribe to Gas GiantsRSS https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/311033.rss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gasgiants.substack.com