Last call, all aboard the Teapot time to tune to the Radio Gnome Wave Vibration - The surf is on the rise, so once more unto the beach and prepare to ride the Gong pipe. You KNOW where to be…
UPDATE 31.10 - The 16 date European tour opened all the frequencies to the Mother Planet and the Gong band is now finely a-tuned and vibrating with vital energy. Dave Sturt and Orlando are locked together and grooving, Fabio is playing spiraling guitar lines out of his skin, Ian East is as quirky and inventive (bonkers basically) as Mr Pyxie Bloom himself, daevid is as resplendently daevid as can be, the most perfect guide to magical and musical places within and without - and Gilli, like a Full Moon in a covered sky bursts through and radiates when you least expect, and whether visible or not her essence can not be denied.
UPDATE 14.10 - Manchester and Alston gigs are SOLD OUT. Nearest gigs are Liverpool, O2 Academy on 10.11 and Leeds, Irish Centre on 13.11. This indicates other venues may sell out, perhaps Liverpool where Here & Now are supporting.
UPDATE 13.10 - Invisible Opera Co. of Tibet supporting at Exeter and Falmouth. Gongishness deep and wide with the Invisibles joining us in the South West.
UPDATE 09.10 - Sun 11th Nov. Gig is now at Alston Town Hall, Front Street, Alston, CA9 3RG. The venue has a capacity of just 200 - so get your tickets now.
UPDATE 02.10 - The Leeds gig on Tues 13th Nov. is now at The Leeds Irish Centre, York Road, LS9 9NT. There may be a possibility of a ticket-swap with Leeds O2 Academy tickets.
UPDATE 01.10 - Two UK gigs are cancelled, Newcastle O2 Academy and the Leeds O2 Academy. Slow pre-sales caused promoter panic. After years of Gong concerts I know that the walk-up (tickets sold on the night) is always higher than other gigs. However if you are coming - please buy a ticket in advance to soothe the nerves of the odd jittery promoter.
01.10 - After weeks of interweb communications and musical brainstorming daevid allen, Gilli Smyth, Orlando Allen (drums), Fabio Golfetti (guitar), Dave Sturt (bass) and Ian East (sax'n'flute) are about to begin 9 days of rehearsals in London on Monday 1st October. The energy is high and the band are a-buzzing.
But, but, but….to complete the circle of any concert your presence is vital and eagerly requested - please do not tarry in booking tickets.
daevid Interviews
daevid allen appeared on snooker, avant-progger Steve Davis' radio programme 'The Interesting Alternative Show', on Phoenix FM on Monday 1st Oct choosing some favourite music and taking 'bout all manner of stuff including the forthcoming Gong Tours. And if you missed it here's the daevid download. More dates of forthcoming alien on the airwaves in the pipeline.
While we're about interviews here is a recent illustrated text-based one one with daevid - A psychedelic daddy on Psychedelic Baby
System 7 - Steve Interview/A kiss of Passion
A recent interview with Steve Hillage on DMC World
An audio-visual taster of the Passion CD EP, physical copies of which only exist in tiny quantities in deepest Nippon and here on the Planet Gong - Passion Bazaar page.
Magick Brothers September Dates
As many of us know, and are about to experience soon (encore une fois peut-être?), Gong gigs are fabulous head-twirling, tribal gathering events, there's nothing quite like 'em….But if you want a more intimate, up-close and acoustically lyrical encounter, tomorrow evening daevid, Mark and Graham embark on the first of series of nine gigs in the ninth month. The Horse-Chestnuts are already turning, the days are still bright but shorter and there's sometimes a hint of Autumnal mist in the air - time to gather with the Magick Brothers? We'd be pleased to see you.
Magick Brother gigs: There are eight gigs in the UK and the last Magick Brothers gig will be in Deya, a fitting place to end.
A History of Plucked Stringed Instruments in Australasia. The Players, Makers and Composers from 1836 to 2011 - Deke Leonard
An email I was copied in on the other day…
Dear daevid, The Twang Dynasty guitar book is now available for purchase at, Best, Ron Payne, Boss Publishing
A root around the website reveals that he, hymns'elf(s), alongside some illustrious others, is in it. I know no more than is elegantly described on the site - looks interesting. I will probe the alien to discover more.
Steve Hillage on the Wireless
resonating across the ethers…
On 9th July Steve Hillage was live on Resonance FM, 104.4 FM around London and on the internet. It's a funky, eclectic station worth checking out for many of the podcasts. There was even some live glissando guitar in amongst the chat and recorded music. Edited version to stream or download : Steve Hillage on Dr Stu's programme | popular Steve Hillage shows
Dreaming The Magic Of Your Maya : 'Proto Gong' LP Reissue update
Dreaming The Magic of Your Maya by Princess Flower and The Moon Rays is the first ever Gong related release. It was originally pressed as a tiny private pressing of less than 100 copies in 1968 and is about be re-issued for the first time ever in any format in a limited edition of 500 double LPs. With the heartening resurgence of vinyl releases over the past few years it had to happen eventually and thank goodness it has happened with the co-operation and blessing of the main guiding musicians, Loren Standlee and Ziska, and on a good trustworthy label known for it's high production values.
In 25 years lashed to the wheel of Planetgong I have only seen or even heard tell of 5 or 6 copies of the original LP, it is that rare. Whenever a copy in very good or excellent condition appears on the marketplace it sells for some serious money, between $1000 to $1500. If you would like to have what is destined to become a collectable in it's own right do not pass up this opportunity.
Steve Hillage Band - Amsterdam 2006 DVD/CD
The marvelous record of that wonderous event that are (to give them their full titles), 'The Steve Hillage Band Live at the Gong Family Unconvention November Two Thousand and Six. The Melkweg Amsterdam" DVD and CD are to be released on the G-Wave imprint on September 10th.
I think I may have to be buried or cremated, or something, with a copy of this DVD.
Cipher : Past Lives
The music continues; it is we who walk away.
The Cipher 'Past Lives' project, Dave Sturt and Theo Travis augmented by a small string section, providing a live soundtrack to previously unseen archive, 'home movie' film footage from the 30's to 70's complied by film-maker Anthony Hatton is about to hit the road once more with dates throughout May - July in the Midlands and the North of England.
Despite the fact that they are quite a way from me I hope to catch one of the performances as I find the whole concept and execution totally charming and quite moving.
Tim Blake : Noggi 'Tar
his Adventures in the Land of Roquefort
Tim Blake's first solo download offering since 'Live in Exeter, 2006' is now available via Tim's web-store.
Noggi 'Tar (in the Land of Roquefort) - 1st Teaser [Soundcloud audio] has rather nice morsels of 4 tracks : 'En Contemplant le Croix de Sud (Southern Cross)'; 'Gong, but not Forgotten (Jah Mekan Lay Di)'; 'Arrival of Migratory Cranes'; and 'Blue Light Zone'. Always a pleasure to hear what Tim is up to on a musical level.
System 7 in Japan : UP - free gig download
Here's the link to a soundcloud free download of System 7 Live in Kyoto, recorded in October 2011. It's a great 45 minute set consisting of material from the new album 'UP - enjoy, I did.
If that has wetted your appetite check out System 7's Festival dates for this Summer and the special London gig with guest Banco de Gaia, System 7 Live @ The Garage in October.
UK Postage Prices - up, up and away…
At the end of April the obedient, soma-fed, number-crunchers of doom are raising the cost of UK postage as they continue to stealthily prepare to sell off the Post Office to the evil gnomes of greed. When that eventually happens we'll see some real price rises. (Fed up about it? - Moi!)
However as we always re-calculate the P&P, which then ends up being lower than the amount shown by the shopping cart for 7-8 orders out of 10, I hope little will need to change on the website. Perhaps the number of orders on which the P&P is reduced will diminish slightly, and maybe the few orders on which the postage needs to be raised will increase. We only ever charge the cost price + up to £1.00 max. for the packing material.
Love your local Post Office, and as with most things in this deeply spooked statistic-driven economy - use it or lose it.
Dreaming The Magic Of Your Maya : 'Proto Gong' LP Reissue
Dreaming The Magic of Your Maya by Princess Flower and The Moon Rays is the first ever Gong related release. It was originally pressed as a tiny private pressing of less than 100 copies in 1968 and is about be re-issued for the first time ever in any format in a limited edition of 500 double LPs. With the heartening resurgence of vinyl releases over the past few years it had to happen eventually and thank goodness it has happened with the co-operation and blessing of the main guiding musicians, Loren Standlee and Ziska, and on a good trustworthy label known for it's high production values.
In 25 years lashed to the wheel of Planetgong I have only seen or even heard tell of 5 or 6 copies of the original LP, it is that rare. Whenever a copy in very good or excellent condition appears on the marketplace it sells for some serious money, between $1000 to $1500. If you would like to have what is destined to become a collectable in it's own right do not pass up this opportunity.
The MIGs : Michael Clare has fun in the sun
With daevid revving to Gong around, Josh Pollock helping his partner incubate the new generation and Warren doing what Warren does, the fourth member of the University of Errors, Michael Clare, has joined a surf band called 'Men in Grey Suits' (well what you gonna do living in Hawaii?) He does seems rather happy though… "new surf band starting to make waves (pun) on the island, people who have seen us realize this it real. It is incredibly fun and we all get along, no massive egos, just a lot of smiles and determination to be as good as we can at it, what more can I ask?".
Their web-link goes to the Soundcloud affair, Reverbnation for samples their fine take on the twang, thrum-m-m and go-go beat of Surf. I particularly like 'Pipeline' and Spy vs Spy'.
daevid allen : portrait of an artist as an older chap…
This painting of Mr Allen by Kellie O'Dempsey was painted for, as he himself says, "a portrait competition featuring the graven images of many a local looney… sorry luminary (ahem)" in Bryon Bay.
I imagine with Gong duties waiting in the wings if you would like to commission a drawing from daevid you should begin the process sooner rather than later.
daevid allen : It's Debz!
The pencils and pens have been hard at work in Australia and daevid has completed further commissions. So here is Debz, plus a few words from the artist himself on how the whole drawing process unfolded for him.
System 7 : son nuage?
Why not have a look at the System 7 Soundcloud page? Great name, Soundcloud - reminds me of the Cloud in the Clangers which upon request rains down to grow trees covered in musical notes.
Welcome Angus Allen! the clan expands…
Taliesin, eldest son of daevid allen and Gilli Smyth, has become a father for the third time with the arrival of wee Angus. Hearty congratulations to Tali, Noey and Angus' siblings Lucy and Oscar. I did briefly hope that Aloysius might be chosen as the new chap's middle name, but it was not to be.
SeNTienT Jammin' : Steffe, Steve, Subs
From the almost 3 'A's to the 3 'S's. Regular sessions by Steffe Sharpstrings, Steve Cassidy and Subs are bearing some very interesting fruit… listen to SeNTienT : 'Fired Up Jam' on Steffe's Soundcloud page - great stuff with some stunning guitar sonics. Other tracks include a snifter of '77 era Here & Now, a brush of Visitation, and a rumbeleation of Dub.
soundbites 4 tha reVelation 2012 : new daevid allen CD
Recently released in Australia on Flamedog Records is daevid's latest album, soundbites 4 tha reVelation 2012 , a companion CD to the extremely limited book of the same name.
Flamedog Records is a recent enterprise by Orlando Allen, son of daevid allen and Gilli Smyth. As well as recording and issuing the work of new, young artists, musicians and DJs in Australia, Orlando plans to release new and old titles by daevid and Gilli along with collectors items, e-books, and art prints. daevid's intriguing 'soundbites' CD is the first of of these releases. Gilli is completing a new album with the working title of 'Paradise'.
Didier Malherbe : Bloomin' Marvelous
Some people only seem to be fully 'complete' with an instrument in hand - Garcia and Hendrix spring to mind. Of all the musicians who have been in Gong you may think, as I did, only Didier Malherbe perhaps falls into that, blessed/cursed, category. When you meet him it looks as if he has nothing to produce music on him, however somewhere tucked about his person will be a tiny ocarina or some little wind instrument few know the name of let alone how to pronounce. And even when he is without such a item he could as easily get a inventive, quirky tune or rhythm out almost anything that comes to hand. But as with most things 'Bloomdidian' it's not as simple or as clichéd as that.
Bloom of course is complete without an instrument, actually (and I must thank Graham Clark for this term)it's a 'totem of aestheticism' that he is never without, this sometimes may be an instrument. The totem could be his little notebook wherein he collects newly heard words that please him with their meaning or with their phonetic, or one of his collection of spinning tops with which to beguile in an idle moment, or simply the hat on his head, always most carefully selected from his large, varied collection to suit a specific occasion or that particular day - there will always be something. I'm told that this kind of aesthetic principle is a very Parisian trait, and Didier is a Parisian. The result is that a highly engaging, entertaining and slightly dandified warm creativity dances through the man infusing any situation with which he chooses to engage. Luckily for us this has often been with an instrument in his hands, continued through many bands and is on many recordings.
On 22nd January M. Malherbe was 69 - one of his favourite numbers.
Didier Malherbe - new CDs
There is finally some UK distribution for Didier Malherbe's latest CD, a double, 'Nuit d'ombrelle', so that is now in stock. And to celebrate the man's 69th birthday a couple of the CDs he graces with his marvelous musical releases. Perhaps, if there are any left, after next January 22nd they should be £7.00?
Homage to the fromage : daevid allen releases…
It was Le Grand Fromage's birthday on January 13th. Seems churlish not to celebrate his natal day in a similar way to Didier's. daevid was 74… daevid allen releases page.
Those of you of a mathematical bent will have calculated that some time in 2013 daevid will be 75, Didier 70 and Gilli, well will be Gilli - quite a year for traditional anniversaries.
The 6th of February also saw the birthday of Tim Blake, his 60th I believe - so that's nice. If he'd been a year younger he could have joined with anniversarial conjunctions of 2013.
daevid allen : Alien Words x 3
interview with daevid of which I was previously unaware flagged up the past week : Las Historias del planeta Gong [Spanish, 1977]
Gong - Film passes 1/2 million plays
Gong's 'How To Stay Alive' Youtube film attained half a million complete viewings at the end of January - a remarkable feat for a mythical Green planet and some time band of musical eccentrics.
Steve Hillage : Vapeur Mauve
free PDF music magazine
December's free download of French language music magazine Vapeur Mauve 12 features 12 pages of Steve Hillage overview/interview/discography in a stylish, well designed pdf [23.4 MB]
Also available : Vapeur Mauve 5 from 2009 featuring Gong. All good stuff as are the other issues on the 'Vapeur Mauve' website, but you'll have to brush up your French to absorb their take on Captain Beefheart, Can, Steve Hackett, the Flamin' Groovies, etc. - boy haven't the French always loved the Flamin' Groovies.
The Black Balloon Film
Music from 'Flying Teapot' appears on the soundtrack of a new independent film, 'The Black Balloon'. The film, a children's film turned Sci-Fi urban fable, by two New York brothers, Josh and Benny Safdie, has just won the Jury Prize in the USA Short Fictional Film category at the 2012 Sunrise Film Festival 2012.
The music comes from Tim Blake's Octave Doctors and the Crystal Machine, and daevid allen and Christian Trisch's Zero the Hero and the Witches Spell.
The gist of the story: While trying to move forty kids six blocks in New York City alone, a stressed man accidentally loses a bouquet of a hundred balloons. In that bouquet, a lone black balloon scurries free with the rest of them. It dies and comes back to life, returning to the city cruising for a companion. On the beat, it learns that humans are complicated creatures with extreme highs and lows, but full of life nonetheless.
If 'The Black Balloon' is anything like as good as Albert Lamorisse's wonderful 1956 film, 'Le Ballon Rouge', which it seems to be partly a homage to, it will be a very fine film indeed - and from what I have seen it certainly looks the business. [Youtube search]
