This is an interesting documentary release - From Straight to Bizarre: Zappa, Beefheart, Alice Cooper and LA's Lunatic Fringe. It comes from Chrome Dreams who you may remember from the Captain
Beefheart: Under Review DVD.

The dvd documents Zappa's attempt to control his recordings by setting up his own labels, Straight and Bizarre - while at the same time releasing music from LA's freak scene which would otherwise have never made it to vinyl. Although it mentions all the albums released it concentrates on those by Alice Cooper, The GTOs, Wild Man Fischer, Jeff Simmons and, of course, our man Captain Beefheart.

So for Beefheart fans there is quite a bit of interest here especially the new interviews with John French and Bill Harkleroad talking about working on Trout Mask Replica and Lick My Decals Off Baby.

There are also interviews with a number of music writers, Ben Watson, Mark Paytress, Billy James, Ritchie Unterberger and Barry Miles, as well as with Miss Pamela and Miss Mercy of The GTOs, Denis Dunaway and Neal Smith of Alice Cooper, Jerry Lawson of The Persuasions, Essra Mohawk, Jeff Simmons and Kim Fowley. All the interviews are interspersed with archive footage (good quality stuff too) and samples of the music.

At just over two and a half hours this is a fascinating and entertaining documentary.

Posted by Steve at 9:12 AM  - 1 comments - post a comment

Posted by Steve at 3:09 PM  - 16 comments - post a comment

Don Van Vliet died one year ago today.

As much as we miss knowing he's out there in person, his music and art are as alive as ever:

The Magic Band have just concluded a triumphant UK tour (view the entire Nottingham show on YouTube and don't miss Tony Fisher's great photos), with more dates promised for next year and a new live release of a 2005 show out now.

Gary Lucas continues to roll out his acclaimed Beefheart Symposia around the world (next up: Liverpool in January).

Records continue to be released, reissued, remastered and rumours about an Original Bat Chain Puller release are not abating (although Lick My Decals Off baby is finally available in iTunes).

The art exhibitions keep on coming.

Robyn Hitchcock performed Clear Spot in its entirety (along with a few other gems), winning new fans in the process.

Omnibus Press published an updated edition of Mike Barnes' reliable and entertaining Beefheart biography in paperback, Kindle and iBook form

BBC 6Music's Gideon Coe presented a three hour tribute "Christmas With The Captain" (available in the BBC's iPlayer for 6 more days at the time of writing).

Just in today: Colin B Morton (Great Pop Things cartoons) has recently written his impassioned account of his Black Friday when the Captain died. It's great.

And stereos all over the world are still jumping to the magic Magic Band music, hitting that spot that otherwise can't be scratched.

Why not join in today?

Update: As Andrew points out in the comments below, you can now pre-order the real, original, legitimate Bat Chain Puller. Released on Don's birthday. Amazing.

Posted by Graham Johnston at 11:27 AM  - 7 comments - post a comment

• Electricity
• Big Eyed Beans From Venus

What a joyous occasion - great to see the guys looking so well and sounding as good as ever. The band seemed pleased to see us as well. 

The Floppy Boot stomped down and that long lunar note floated again.

Posted by Graham Johnston at 4:50 PM  - 31 comments - post a comment