Literature

Scootering Magazine  - February 2013

Sadly, time and space prevented a review of the January issue of this great mag, but thankfully, I did manage to get February’s edition in time for the latest NUTSMAG updates. So, we begin by looking at the usual features and this month, the ‘Scootering Sounds’ (records that shaped the broad church we all love so much) focuses on the Virgin Records reissue of The Who’s ‘My Generation’ in 1980. Like many, I too bought it at the time and still have my copy. And I agree that it had a massive impact, ‘Out In The Street is still one of my Who favourites. Moving on, Sticky’s tongue-in-cheek feature on how to spot other road users had me roaring with laughter. For all you Lammy owners, you may well enjoy the tribute to the series one. Sarge has been as busy as ever covering the Northern Noise event at Southend and the Christmas Mod Ball at the 100 Club with Steve Craddock headlining. Wolfy jetted off to the USA to catch up with Mr Townshend and Mr Daltry as they begin their mammoth world tour of ‘Quadrophenia’. My pick of the featured scoots is the Lammy GP 150 at the back of the mag. It’s a beaut. To cap it all off, there’s a free double sided poster to go alongside the calendar from the January issue.

Blues Magazine – Issue 3

One of the primary reasons for reviewing this publication, is due to the feature article by Claudia Elliott on the impact of the blues on British bands favoured by mods during the first half of the sixties. As you would expect, all the usual suspects get a mention. Small Faces, High Numbers / The Who, Yardbirds, Meaden, Guy Stevens, Scene and Eel Pie clubs etc. Authors; Barnes, Hewitt and Hellier all get a nod, and on that basis, any reader who does not have prior knowledge will be well informed by this piece. The link between Alexis Korner and Cyril Davis’ contribution in launching many careers that started with a love of blues is a fact often over-looked and it’s inclusion here adds weight to the argument that without them, British music may not have been the powerhouse it became during the decade. That said, the article is accurate with the facts and for those who know nothing about this aspect of mod, it’s a good starting point for the more inquisitive reader who wants to find out more. If you are into blues music, then this magazine will be of interest though. Three other very good articles on John Mayall, Chris Barber and the Blue Horizon label feature prominently and South London’s mod/blues purveyors Get Go have a nice one-pager. Blues Magazine is published by monthly by Future Publishing.

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Graham Lentz

Like many of his generation, The Jam started Graham's love affair with all things mod back in 1977. He is the author of 'The Influential Factor - A History Of Mod' which was originally published in 2002. An extract from the book was re-printed in Paolo Hewitt's 'The Sharper Word - revised edition' in 2011. Being a self-confessed 'broad-church' mod, Graham's interests range from Modern Jazz to today's up-coming new bands and everything in between. Although he has a passion for mod history, he also has a passion for the new. Whether it's music, clubs, media of every kind, clothing, scooters or art and photography, Graham supports, promotes and encourages as much as he can, because that's how we keep going. 'Give it a chance' is his motto. If it's not for you, that's cool, at least you tried it.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

‘Betty Beat Continues. Betty Beat is an extra terrestrial 18 year old girl who comes from Planet Kromos. The action is set in the 1967-1968 period, with loads of ‘Swingin’’ London imagery.

There will be many funny characters coming along as Betty lives her adventures on planet Earth!’ I hope you enjoy getting to know Betty Beat.

Max Galli – 2012

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Max Galli

Max Galli was born in Rome in 1969, the son of a photographer and a housewife. Illustrator, graphic designer and writer, he embraced the culture and the aesthetics of the Sixties more than two decades ago. Max published three novels, an anthology of short stories and four comic books, and contributed to several magazines ( "Storie", "Vintage", "Blue", "Misty Lane" and “EyePlug”). During the years he realized loads of illustrations, pin ups, record and cd covers and posters for Italian and European clubs and bands. He lived in London from 1998 to 2003, joining in the London Mod scene, from which he took inspiration for his work. His comic books “The Beatnix” and “The Adventures of Molly Jones” reached international success, especially in United Kingdom and USA.

More Posts - Website

The Action – In The Lap Of The Mods 
by Ian Hebditch & Jane Shepherd with Mike Evans & Roger Powell

With any book about music, film or subculture, the first thing I look at are the photos and graphics. Rest assured, no stone has been left unturned when it comes to the photos and graphics here. This book comes in two formats. The standard edition and the boxed set, which includes the main work plus ‘Where The Action Is’ a meticulous gig guide and press cuttings compilation and a replica test pressing of ‘Why Do You Wanna Make Me Blue’.

Ian Hebditch had spent years working on this project. Sadly, he passed away before it was completed, but his partner Jane Shepherd decided to carry on and finish Ian’s work and what a fine tribute to both Ian and The Action this book is. Intros from Mike Evans and Roger Powell and a Foreword by Sir George Martin CBE set the tone. As you would expect the story of The Action comes in chronological order from the very early days as Mark Twain and The Strangers, which included Keith Moon in the line-up, through to Sandra Barry and The Boys, which was the basis of the band celebrated herein.

The story of The Action is not remarkable in the context of their contemporaries from the Sixties. Many had similar experiences, but in terms of influence on successive generations and having a knack of avoiding the recognition they deserved, it is of particular interest. The interviews with band members and others, such as Pete Townshend are terrific. It’s not always easy getting people to recall events from decades past (I should know, I’ve done it myself) and it is even harder to get them to talk about the difficult times, but Hebditch seems to have managed this. Instead of being a read-it-all-before scenario, I particularly liked the way Ian did not rehash oft-told mod history in the conventional sense. By relating mod history to his own experiences growing up in Portsmouth, the local club, The Birdcage (which The Action played many a time) and Ian’s other mod experiences, it all makes for a refreshing and valid viewpoint.

The story of the band does not end in 1969. They split up and some formed the Mighty Baby. Alan King joined the band Ace with Paul Carrick on vocals, and then many years later our own Rob Bailey begins the painstaking process of getting all the band back together in 1998 for some gigs that will live long in the memory and rock folklore. Perhaps fittingly, the epilogue is provided by long-time fan, Phil Collins. It is a pleasure to read, a joy browsing the photos and interesting absorbing the details of an often-overlooked band. If you ever want to know about The Action, this is the only book you will need.

Record Collector – October 2012 Issue

Not every issue of Record Collector is of interest to us, but as and when an issue does appeal, I’ll happily review it. October’s offering is one such issue. The Kinks are on the front cover and with good reason. Within the pages of the mag is the first of a two-part special about the ‘Muswell Hillbillies’. Ray Davies gives a fairly candid account of the technical side to Kinks songs. The production, the studios, the technicians… all fascinating stuff.

Aside from The Kinks, there are another three great features of interest; Bunny Lee, The Dells and The Merseys.

Scootering – October 2012 Issue

The institution that is Scootering Magazine comes out with all guns blazing for the October issue. The ‘Scootering Sounds’ feature has been a very enjoyable and welcome addition, this time looking at The Clash’s ‘London Calling’.

Then we move on to a really good feature on the inside story of the Olympics closing ceremony and those 50 scooters, but without doubt, huge thanks goes to Sarge for a terrific three-page report on the NUTS Brighton August Bank Holiday. Plenty of great pics (as you’d expect) and we have the first sighting of a new descriptive term: comedy mods. Those of you who were there and witnessed the comedy mods will know what Sarge was taking about. He concluded by saying this year was the best so far, many would agree.

Further in to the mag and we find a nice two-pager on Euro Ye Ye, an interview with Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings about Bruce’s new album ‘Back In The Room’ and a very nice review of the Strypes EP ‘Young Gifted and Blue’ by Paul Hooper-Keeley.

To top it all, this issue includes a 48 page supplement looking back at reports about the Isle Of Wight Rally from the past. October 2012 will be one of those collector editions I suspect.

Ugly Things – Spring Summer 2012 Issue

For those of you with Garage/Psych/Freakbeat tendencies, you may well know about this very substantial publication from Mike Stax based in La Mesa, California. At $9.95 (£6.21 at time of writing) plus postage, this is quite an impressive offering. I freely admit, I’m not as into this music as some, so I did wonder what there might be to grab my interest.

How pleasantly surprised I was to find some fascinating articles about the San Francisco scene, an interview with Johnny Echols (former member of Love) and my favourite, an interview and article on the Craig (who were formed out of the King Bees).

Meticulous in its research, thorough in its interviews and great photos. A must for anyone who is in to the era.
Website: www.ugly-things.com
e-mail: uglythingsmag@gmail.com

Uncut – Ultimate Guide to Paul Weller 

When you think of the most high-profile influencers on mod and pop culture of the last 35 years, there is only one name that springs to mind, Paul Weller. Love him or loathe him, his impact on British music is without comparison.

So this major retrospective of his career is a timely reminder of the astonishing output spanning over three decades. Every album, from ‘In the City’ to ‘Sonic Kicks’ is re-evaluated. Key interviews are reprinted and there are lots of photos.

This is just about as ‘ultimate’ as you can get for a magazine guide to Weller’s career, whether you’re a long-time fan or someone just discovering Weller for the first time, this publication is a ‘collectable’ in the making. Coming from someone who has been a fan for 35 years, that’s saying something.

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Graham Lentz

Like many of his generation, The Jam started Graham's love affair with all things mod back in 1977. He is the author of 'The Influential Factor - A History Of Mod' which was originally published in 2002. An extract from the book was re-printed in Paolo Hewitt's 'The Sharper Word - revised edition' in 2011. Being a self-confessed 'broad-church' mod, Graham's interests range from Modern Jazz to today's up-coming new bands and everything in between. Although he has a passion for mod history, he also has a passion for the new. Whether it's music, clubs, media of every kind, clothing, scooters or art and photography, Graham supports, promotes and encourages as much as he can, because that's how we keep going. 'Give it a chance' is his motto. If it's not for you, that's cool, at least you tried it.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

‘Betty Beat Continues. Betty Beat is an extra terrestrial 18 year old girl who comes from Planet Kromos. The action is set in the 1967-1968 period, with loads of ‘Swingin’’ London imagery.

There will be many funny characters coming along as Betty lives her adventures on planet Earth!’ I hope you enjoy getting to know Betty Beat.

Max Galli – 2012

Max Galli

Max Galli was born in Rome in 1969, the son of a photographer and a housewife. Illustrator, graphic designer and writer, he embraced the culture and the aesthetics of the Sixties more than two decades ago. Max published three novels, an anthology of short stories and four comic books, and contributed to several magazines ( "Storie", "Vintage", "Blue", "Misty Lane" and “EyePlug”). During the years he realized loads of illustrations, pin ups, record and cd covers and posters for Italian and European clubs and bands. He lived in London from 1998 to 2003, joining in the London Mod scene, from which he took inspiration for his work. His comic books “The Beatnix” and “The Adventures of Molly Jones” reached international success, especially in United Kingdom and USA.

More Posts - Website

Midnight To Six Man – Max Galli

Illustrations and thoughts about the Mod Scene from our very own Max Galli who will premiere drawings from this exhibition at www.euroyeye.es in Gijon between 16 July and 19 August at Cleo Modern & Vintage Clothing, C/Antonio 14, Gijon, Spain. Thirty four black and white modernist inspired illustrations included in this book from the hand of Max appropriately entitled ‘Midnight To Six’. The content is usually beautiful ladies, sometimes with the guys, on scooters or inside club’s where you find most self respecting Mod’s and always dressed sharp. Influenced by his father who was a keen photographer this labour of love features drawings inspired by fellow scenesters who Max met on his journey starting in London back in 1999. The attention to detail makes this a must buy for those who collect modernist inspired paintings or books. You can reach Max here www.maxgalli.net and follow the adventures of Betty Beat comic strip on NUTsMAG. If you would like to purchase the book click HERE.

Shindig! Quarterly #3

A firm favourite here at NUTs HQ, Shindig is quarterly now and issue number three features a Fab article on cover stars the Left Banke. A fascinating read on one of Americas many one hit wonder bands who career had barely got started. Interviews with founder members Tom Finn and George Cameron give us a unique insight into the fame, fortune and the eventual chaos. Other vintage acts include Buffalo Springfield who revisits their Gold Star recording studio days and too continue with the American acts the often overlooked Beau Brummels. Contemporary bands Wicked Whispers and 80’s cult band the Nashville Ramblers get a well deserved interview along with other obscure 60’s and 70’s bands.  Other topics include “thoughts and words”,” it’s a happening thing” and “twenty questions” accompany thirty plus pages of reviews of the best compilations, re-issues, new releases and books. Shindig is available quarterly from WHS and www.shindig-magazine.com

Fab Gear – The Beatles And Fashion

The Beatles knew how much image mattered in the 1960s, and whether it was Nehru jackets, skinny ties, granny glasses, or the Cuban heel boot-if John, Paul, George, or Ringo wore it, the rest of their millions of fans followed. Renowned music and fashion author Paolo Hewitt takes readers on a fashion tour of the Beatles’ career and the trends they co-opted. From their Hamburg debut in sunglasses, leather, and black sweaters to the conservative suits they were ordered to wear by their manager Brian Epstein; from their infatuation with Pierre Cardin’s collarless jackets to their more casual corduroy; from their Mod madness to psychedelic spaciness to faux-military attire to hippy-chic-each style is revealed as a reflection of the music they made and the world views they embraced. Filled with fabulous photographs and with an appealing retro feel, the book features numerous images, many of which have never been published before. It offers insights into how the band’s meteoric rise and enduring success shaped their fashion choices. There’s even a chapter devoted to their great hairstyles. Fans of all ages, as well as anyone interested in fashion, will be enthralled with this first ever Beatles stylebook that proves the Fab Four really were as timely as they were timeless.

drrobert

I run The New Untouchables organization and events like the Brighton Mod Weekender, Le Beat Bespoké Festival (and compilation series of the same name) and I co-organize Euro Ye Ye with the Trouble & Tea crew. I have run many clubs over the last 20 years in London, where I live and current nights include Timebox, Zoo Zoo, Crossfire, 100 Club and Mousetrap allnighter which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011. I have been lucky to DJ all over the globe including Japan, Canada, USA and Europe and met some great people on my journey. I run RnB Records to offset my vinyl addiction: newuntouchables.com/rnbrecords for rare vintage vinyl.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

‘Betty Beat Continues. Betty Beat is an extra terrestrial 18 year old girl who comes from Planet Kromos. The action is set in the 1967-1968 period, with loads of ‘Swingin’’ London imagery.

There will be many funny characters coming along as Betty lives her adventures on planet Earth!’ I hope you enjoy getting to know Betty Beat.

Max Galli – 2012

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Max Galli

Max Galli was born in Rome in 1969, the son of a photographer and a housewife. Illustrator, graphic designer and writer, he embraced the culture and the aesthetics of the Sixties more than two decades ago. Max published three novels, an anthology of short stories and four comic books, and contributed to several magazines ( "Storie", "Vintage", "Blue", "Misty Lane" and “EyePlug”). During the years he realized loads of illustrations, pin ups, record and cd covers and posters for Italian and European clubs and bands. He lived in London from 1998 to 2003, joining in the London Mod scene, from which he took inspiration for his work. His comic books “The Beatnix” and “The Adventures of Molly Jones” reached international success, especially in United Kingdom and USA.

More Posts - Website

A sort of intro…

I started to write the script of Betty Beat back in 2007, while I was running with my wife our small publishing company Ultrapop. By then, I didn’t have much time for writing, so I had to wait at least a couple of years to get the script completed.

I was in touch with a comics illustrator, who was supposed to carry out the job, but suddenly he appeared not to be interested anymore, so I found another illustrator, this time a girl: same story, hence the decision to illustrate it myself, and here it is!

Betty Beat is an extra terrestrial 18 year old girl who comes from Planet Kromos. The action is set in the 1967-1968 period, with loads of ‘Swingin’’ London imagery. There will be many funny characters coming along as Betty lives her adventures on planet Earth!

This first episode is a story on its own, yet a sort of ‘introduction’ to a much bigger story of about 48 pages. There will be a two-page episode every month.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Betty Beat.

Max Galli – 2011

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Max Galli

Max Galli was born in Rome in 1969, the son of a photographer and a housewife. Illustrator, graphic designer and writer, he embraced the culture and the aesthetics of the Sixties more than two decades ago. Max published three novels, an anthology of short stories and four comic books, and contributed to several magazines ( "Storie", "Vintage", "Blue", "Misty Lane" and “EyePlug”). During the years he realized loads of illustrations, pin ups, record and cd covers and posters for Italian and European clubs and bands. He lived in London from 1998 to 2003, joining in the London Mod scene, from which he took inspiration for his work. His comic books “The Beatnix” and “The Adventures of Molly Jones” reached international success, especially in United Kingdom and USA.

More Posts - Website

The man is walking along the corridor. His expression shows anything but happiness, yet he goes on head strong with a light, almost imperceptible grin on his face. It is not the first time he’s looking at those walls. They’re quite familiar to him; many a time he’s been judged and condemned in that very place. But he’s not concerned about things to come. Not at all. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last. The faces of the two guards at his side are indifferent, controlled by years of routine.

“Let the culprit in” – a voice says.

The trial begins.

The corpus delicti is an illustrated magazine, “Folies de Paris et de Hollywood”. It sells very well but some issues are blocked and seized by the police. Needless to say, it’s not the usual magazine that middle class families like to be found at their homes.

Less than fifty minutes later, the defendant is charged with several crimes, all connected with the word ‘decency’.

The year is 1957 and the place is Paris. The man is taken away from the court and arrested but he knows he’s going to be out of jail within three weeks. As a photographer, he considers himself an artist. Taking pictures of naked women – completely naked – is part of his art, part of his talent. How can they expect him to stop using his talent just because they deem it ‘offensive’ to public morality? It’s never going to happen, of course.

The problem is that we are in the Fifties and showing pubic hair in a nude picture is considered a proper crime, according to French law – especially when a lot of the girls depicted look so much more like typical girls-next-door than actual experienced models. This is totally intolerable to the bourgeoisie of Paris, a city ironically well known for decades of licentiousness.

The man grins, thinking about himself appearing in the papers, often described as a ‘subversive’, while his hands are soaked in the photo-processing liquid, lifting the paper from one basin to another and contemplating the images emerging from the white.

Another set of pics, another girl, another issue of “Folies” ready to be printed with its sexy contents. And – probably – another charge with offence to public morality. There’s nothing he can do about it: he loves women and he loves the way he can celebrate their beauty through his very own vision of sexiness – a sexiness often blatantly exhibited but also ironic, suggestive, sometimes even poetic. From time to time he also becomes the subject of his shots, being photographed with his models.

The photographer produces a huge quantity of pics during the years, out of the Fifties, straight into the Sixties, Seventies and so on, a true, original agent provocateur of sensuality, establishing – very much like Russ Meyer – a new direction for erotic imagination. As times get more tolerant, he finds himself less involved with courts and judges – a sort of victory, we’d say.

            Is this the end of the story?

            No, it’s just the beginning.

            And, by the way, did I not mention the man’s name?

            Serge Jacques.

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Max Galli

Max Galli was born in Rome in 1969, the son of a photographer and a housewife. Illustrator, graphic designer and writer, he embraced the culture and the aesthetics of the Sixties more than two decades ago. Max published three novels, an anthology of short stories and four comic books, and contributed to several magazines ( "Storie", "Vintage", "Blue", "Misty Lane" and “EyePlug”). During the years he realized loads of illustrations, pin ups, record and cd covers and posters for Italian and European clubs and bands. He lived in London from 1998 to 2003, joining in the London Mod scene, from which he took inspiration for his work. His comic books “The Beatnix” and “The Adventures of Molly Jones” reached international success, especially in United Kingdom and USA.

More Posts - Website

‘The tendency, when given unlimited choices, to make none ’  
D. Coupland 1989

It’s not that I’m a huge Douglas Coupland fan, nor do I approve of all those attempts to find a label for a whole generation. Of course, I could be considered a part of “Generation X“, “The Lost Generation“, “Generation Pop“, you name it. Yet, oversimplifications have never been my cup of tea (unless we’re talking about football of course).

However, I feel that what Coupland called “Option Paralysis” in 1989 somehow hits the nail on the head. Confronted with a plethora of possible choices of contemporary pop music from all parts of this little planet, in the end more and more people seem to prefer to choose none at all – or everything. Living in a world of unlimited choices (thanks to the internet) seems to blur the notion of a freedom of choice. In the end you either take it for granted or do not even realize there are choices and simply consume whatever comes along.

These days pop is everywhere and everything is pop. The next big thing is already lurking somewhere in a corner waiting for its mission, for the moment when the consumers of contemporary pop music are bored by xxx and are eager for a new shade of grey. Names, styles, bands and artists do no longer make a difference to consumers, even if we’re told the respective products always have that special extra something. Have they? Well, ketchup is ketchup, no matter in which supermarket you buy it.

What am I aiming at? Well, in the 7T’s or 8T’s the average record collection of a 14-year-old was rather limited, due to a rather limited supply (at least in Germany), little pocket money and a lack of information. Today, digitalisation and globalisation enable 10-year-olds to compete as regards their mp3 collections, and we’re not talking about the average 1980s teenager’s 50 LPs and 37 singles, we’re taking about “I’ve got 15 GB of mp3s, what about you?“ 15 GB, that’s maybe about 5000 songs, 250 hours of music, 10 1/2 days music nonstop. How important is an individual artist or band in a mass of music like this? Do you remember the very first mp3 a friend gave you just like I remember the very first 45 I bought?

Music has become a functional minor matter, ubiquitous ambient noise, muzak. What’s the difference between a song that’s used in a commercial and the music that’s played in a supermarket? It seems that pop music in the 21st century has become a lubricant of everyday life, it is no longer emphatically absorbed. It has lost its function to express ideas, define personalities, create a universe of its own.

And this is exactly why I’ve spent most of my life in this funny little subculture of ours. The Mod Scene is where I meet people who still have a clue about music. Not just “mod“ music (whatever that may be), but any kind of music. Quite contrary to all the clichés about mods I have found out that lots of people on the scene listen to so many diverse types of music and are far from limiting themselves in any respect. They seem to follow 6Ts producer Joe Meek’s slogan: “If it sounds right, it is right!“.

So while my colleagues’ so-called CD-collections are rather dull, depressing affairs that only seem to either signal “I’ve got no clue“ or “I hate music“, it is ever so nice to find out what gems someone you meet at a Mod do has at home apart from the obvious mod-related stuff. I guess this is what I love so much about the scene: we seem to know when it’s time to focus on a special style (I want 6T’s music at a Mod do and nothing else), yet we’re open-minded enough to listen to anything, no matter how old or new it is, as long as it is interesting, inspiring, funny, weird, awkward, sublime. So yes, I went to see Kraftwerk recently, just like I danced at the Specials’ gig in Munich. I talked to friends on the scene about my love for a band called Devo while browsing a sales box of Northern Soul. I love to hear about a Roddy Frame gig while grooving to some Psych on the Bad Breisig party boat. If you ask me, mods are the most broad-minded people around today, simply because they don’t suffer from option paralysis!

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Harry Vogel

I wish to apologize for my sloppiness and inaccuracy and would like to state that I have never been, am not and will never be the first, best, coolest or whatever-est Mod on this planet and do not intend to be or even arouse this impression. Those who know me do know that I couldn't care less about these things. Yes, there was a time when I was not a Mod and so of course you couldn't have met me at the *** (any place) *** (any year) do, but at least I still do attend a fair number every year. However, I've been on the scene for quite some time, have played in some not completely unknown bands such as Swinging London and The Heartbeats (both definitely NOT the first Mod Bands around), have written for and edited fanzines ever since 1984 (but I must admit that as far as I know the first Munich Modzine was edited by a guy named Joey Vogl), co-organized some weekenders, and had some occasional DJ spots (which I've given up in the meantime as from my point of view record prices have reached an absurd level and because I know darn well that there were, are and will be loads of better DJs on the scene). Did I do these things because I was desperately trying to get my fifteen minutes? You bet! When I was much younger I thought that sooner or later I'd have to leave the scene because I'd be too old, but as the years passed I realised (like so many of you) that I just couldn't live without my annual share of Modernism. Talking about music: I love all styles of Mod Music as I believe life is too short to voluntarily narrow my horizon. To quote producer Joe Meek: "If it sounds right, it is right"!

More Posts - Website

Part One: Psychedelic Conundrum – By Eron Falbo

As time elapses and the threads of History unfold, paradigms shift, turning inside out. The Fates weave a colourful garment as we attempt to focus a now expressionist painting of our moral standards. Concepts that were once immutable flags waved by the proudest expectations are now but ashes in an assembly line of Phoenixes. We awake as if from a dream and pretend that we will not awake again. Our obsessions over the past are the architects of an unrecognisable dystopian future. How will we end the recurrent crisis of our hedonistic mania? Who will survive the torrents of hatred? Who’s bloodline is the purest? Who has a right to receive the pleasures of the Earth alone? I ask my faithful reader to consider rather who takes pleasure in receiving alone at all. In our collective future this is what we must ponder and this is what this column is about – the walls that we create of finer and finer material, until, it seems, inevitably, the quantum barriers of the atom are all that will remain between us. What seems to be impossible is an enigma that will soon become our second nature and this humble column only claims the object of any other column in world – to provide a foundation for the construction of our shelters.

Contemporary Walls of Troy

We open our digital pages with Troy, a city of wonder and mystery for man since, as far as historians can tell, circa 800 BCE (the current educated guess about when Homer may have tread). Thus. it seems, we have been attempting to break down her walls with our horse for nearly 3000 years (at least). Yet it must still stand because Odysseus has clearly not left the front. Yes, faithful reader, the walls of Troy stand proud and I will show you where.

Many new age geeks insist on calling Scientists and the consumerist common man ‘materialist’. I, on the other hand, insist that we are all Scientists and consumerists and what some shallowly inspired persons really wish to say is that some among us prefer a less insightful view of the Universe than others. This, perhaps, is because each time we expand our view we must arm ourselves with more knowledge of how to deal with the ‘slings and arrows’ of an expanding Universe’s ‘outrageous fortune’. In consequence of this most natural fear many archaeologists have attempted to locate Troy amongst the rubble of geological Turkey and its neighbours (I believe we are now in Troy failure VII). So as a Scientist I shall begin by creating a hypothesis of an experience that clearly lies before us.  When we are satisfied that my hypothesis lies true for at least the current situation I will then correlate it with other instances and we shall agree to keep a watchful eye for its replicas in the future.  Mind you, faithful reader, that as any Scientist I take the risk of being Aristotle and claiming that a turntable will fall faster than its needle only to be ridiculed by some later Galileo.  So let all Scientific theorems be as the columns of Troy, waiting to be demolished.

Here is our thesis: With the events of the Illiad Homer presents an image of a distant future and not of a recent past and we can all see Homer’s stories with our own eyes. For who would argue that 3000 years later we do not see the world at war, creating leagues that are knocking down walls one by one driven by unconscious forces seeking to give access of the beauty of the Earth to all its sons? Do we not see an Europe that was once impenetrable to itself picking one an other up from the financial crises that emerge from its less decent past? Cannot an Italian national live in London and write these words for you, an experienced foreigner yourself? And so like any careless man would, Paris falls in love with the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. But Paris wants all of her beauty for himself, so he seduces her and secures her behind the walls of Troy. What are we to do about that, friends? It is natural that one should wage war against the man who stole beauty from his brother. Even in the dance floor we see friends protecting each other’s lovers as if they were their own with their evil eyes trailing the inconvenient drunken seducers. How can we bare testimony to beauty if she is trapped behind impenetrable walls?

The fact is we build bullet trains and sonic aeroplanes in order to witness beauty quicker and more regularly and not as the materialistic pessimist will have you think, to cash cheques. Indeed, we cash cheques in order to witness beauty and not because we are hypnotised by some hardly ‘Swiss’ banking cartel. Indeed anyone who hypnotises at all would only be taking advantage of a natural necessity to witness beauty, a condition that all of us are willing victims of. So how can the Achaeans (what is vulgarly known as Greeks) be any different and allow Helen to be taken from them and trapped behind a wall?

If America and Britannia’s illegal wars are twittering Mubarak and Gaddafi into submission perhaps one day our children’s children will have a passport with only their own names on it, only their own flags and a photo of a sphere that we can all see in our dreams. That is this month’s ‘Psychedelic Conundrum’. The blind prophet is not the blind historian. Homer spoke of a time when the walls of Troy would fall and Odysseus could finally return to where he belongs. We belong in a world without the silly walls of exclusive glorified ‘cults’, fascist scientific opinion or insecure peer-pressured fashion trends. So instead of following Agamemnon faintheartedly or asking pious Priam to not lend ears to his high-priests, we Odysseans must simply pray that Achilles joins our cause more quickly.

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Eron Falbo - EDITOR

Brazilian polymath Eron Falbo came to London in 2009 after leaving his band ‘The Julians’ to pursue a solo career and become a cosmopolitician. Falbo began writing at the age of 11 for the school newspaper. By the age of 16 he had got his first job as a journalist. His experience in other magazines stretches from film critic to travel writer, passing through much but never leaving the culture spectrum. Apart from writing, Falbo is also an emerging singer. He was invited to record an album in one of the best studios in Nashville, Tennessee by none other than legendary producer Bob Johnston, who recorded the best material by the likes of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash (all acclaimed writers). As of yet he’s only released one single, ‘Beat the Drums’ which was featured on Dermot O’Leary’s “Go Buy Monday” (single of the week) for BBC Radio 2, among other media. Currently, Falbo fronts the band ‘the Kyniks’ in venues in London and around the UK and can be occasionally spotted prowling the scene of the New Untouchables taking notes.

More Posts - Website