PLAYLIST: Strange Fruit #208

Strange Fruit is a unique two-hour radio show exploring the world of underground, strange and generally neglected music. All shows are themed and all shows set out to give the most hardened of sound-hounds some new delight to sample.

The show is also unique in providing homework for undergraduate students on North West Kent College’s Foundation Degree in Professional Writing (who dig up many of the odd facts featured in the links between tracks).

Neil Nixon, the founder and presenter of the show has released a book about rare albums for Gonzo Multimedia.

The show is broadcast on Miskin Radio every Sunday from 10-00-midnight.

Show 208

Baba Zula

Liz Phair and Material:  The Tra-la Song

The Flying Lizards:  Tutti Frutti

Hannah Richards:  Waterloo Station

Baba Zula:  Oyzer Ruh

The Teardrop Explodes:  Ouch Monkeys

Black Tape for  Blue Girl:  A Chaos of Desire

Bob Dylan:  Ballad of a Thin Man

The Bangles:  Steppin’ Out

Richard Cheese:  Sharp Dressed Man

Baba Zula:  Asikalarin Sozu Kalif

Dr. Alamantado:  Chu

Jeff Monn:  Think I Care?

Throbbing Gristle:  Hamburger Lady

Rodd Keith:  Forever

Waxahatchee:  Breathless

The Honey Pot:  Inside the Whale

Marc Bolan:  The Children of Rarn Suite

Northern Picture Library:  Last September Farewell Kiss

Baba Zula:  Efharli Zafrak

Bozkido:  Session Sagg

Ella Fitzgerald:  Every Time we Say Goodbye

Joshua Scott Brakestone:  Exit 6

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Ύμνοι εις την Θεοτόκον - Greek Orthodox Hymns to the Mother of God

Being Sunday I always post sacred music. The name of the deity may change, or even the deity Him/Herself but the spirit remains the same

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?




FAREWELL APRIL

ADIOS,NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Good-bye -Eeyore's Birthday

Vale Independent Bookstores Day

and our Global Warming Warning March?

We are on the lip of May-MAY DAY!MAY DAY!

Earth Festivals will erupt with passionate displays

Spring will assert Old Sol in rituals like May Poles

and we will "dance ,and sing,and ring in the new"

so said Donovan since 1962.So that is precisely what we will do

Dance despite (the follies of)Kings and Emperors

We will have a Queen of May and a Lord of Mis-Rule

And power politics will be seen as historic

The last bastion of all unknowing fools...

Frank Zappa - Lost Interview - McCarthy, Elvis & Racism(2-7)

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

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Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa is considered to be one of the most influential rock musicians of the late twentieth century. Between the start of his career in the late fifties and his death in 1993 he recorded and rele..

Read More

---

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

In 1965, Ray Collins asked Zappa to take over as guitarist in local R&B band the Soul Giants, following a fight between Collins and the group's original guitarist. Zappa accepted, and soon assumed..

Read More

---

Frank Zappa et al

On September 19, 1985, Frank Zappa testified before the United States Senate Commerce, Technology, and Transportation committee, attacking the Parents Music Resource Center or PMRC, a music organizati..

Read More

Gonzo Magazine #232

Gonzo Magazine #232

THE COR BABY THAT'S REALLY STRANGE AND WEARD ISSUE

http://www.gonzoweekly.com/

 

And so, in this week's peculiar issue, We interview Roy Weard about his remarkable new album, Alan discusses rhythms of the world, John waxes lyrical about Moonalice and we send the legendary Richard Strange to a desert island. Graham explains the latest twists and turns in the saga of Hawkwind and Jon discovers that Every Record tells a Story! and learns about the horrific world of Internet Vigilantes.

 

Groovy huh?

 

It’s all free!

 

And there are radio shows from Mack Maloney, Friday Night Progressive, and Strange Fruit. We also have columns from all sorts of folk including Roy Weard, Mr Biffo, Neil Nixon and the irrepressible Corinna. There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and pademelons outside zoos (OK, nothing to do with small marsupials who have escaped from captivity, but I got carried away with things that rhymed with OOOOS) than you can shake a stick at. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

 

This issue features:

 

Frank Zappa, Every Record Tells A Story, Deep Purple, Don Airey, Queen + Adam Lambert, Elton John, The Kills, Gruff Rhys, Clinic, Nadine Shah, Fat White Family & Wild Beasts, John Cale, Nick Cave, Damon Albarn, Michael Jackson, Strange Fruit, Friday Night Progressive, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Leo Baxendale, Frank Dostal, Calep H. Emphrey Jr., Robert Maynard Pirsig, Emmie Beckitt and Rick Wakeman, Supertramp, Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, Al Atkins, Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster, Mary Hopkin, Alan Dearling, Marco Faddo, Trilok Gurtu, Jan Garbarek Group, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Grateful Dead, Rhythm Devils, Brian Jones, Denis Kigongo, UzBand, David Byrne, John Brodie-Good, Moonalice & Doobie Decibel System, Kev Rowland, Solitary, Ape Shifter, Artemiy Artemiev & Karda, Axel Rudi Pell, Barock Project, Richard "Kid" Strange, Doctors of Madness, Mr Biffo, Roy Weard, Hawkwind, Xtul, Martin Springett, The Beatles, Cocteau Twins, Franz Ferdinand, The Who, Pink Floyd, Neil Nixon, Cut Chemist, Gorillaz

 

Read the previous few issues of Gonzo Weekly:

 

Issue 231 (Allan Holdsworth)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo231.html

Issue 230 (Curtis Womack)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo230.html

Issue 229 (Larry Wallis)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo229.html

Issue 228 (Space Pharoahs)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo228.html

Issue 227 (Chuck Berry)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo227.html

Issue 225-6 (The Rites of Spring)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo225-6.html

Issue 224 (Hibernal)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo224.html

Issue 223 (Beatles)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo223.html

Issue 222 (Cruise to the Edge)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo222.html

Issue 221 (Deke Leonard)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo221.html

Issue 220 (Larry Wallis)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo220.html

Issue 219 (Martin Stone)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo219.html

Issue 218 (Mark Reiser tribute)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo218.html

 

 

All issues from #70 can be downloaded at www.gonzoweekly.com if you prefer. If you have problems downloading, just email me and I will add you to the Gonzo Weekly dropbox. The first 69 issues are archived there as well. Information is power chaps, we have to share it!

 

You can download the magazine in pdf form HERE:

http://www.gonzoweekly.com/pdf/

 

SPECIAL NOTICE: If you, too, want to unleash the power of your inner rock journalist, and want to join a rapidly growing band of likewise minded weirdos please email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk The more the merrier really.

COMING THIS WEEKEND

Frank Zappa - Lost Interview - Early Influences (1-7)

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

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Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa is considered to be one of the most influential rock musicians of the late twentieth century. Between the start of his career in the late fifties and his death in 1993 he recorded and rele..

Read More

---

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

In 1965, Ray Collins asked Zappa to take over as guitarist in local R&B band the Soul Giants, following a fight between Collins and the group's original guitarist. Zappa accepted, and soon assumed..

Read More

---

Frank Zappa et al

On September 19, 1985, Frank Zappa testified before the United States Senate Commerce, Technology, and Transportation committee, attacking the Parents Music Resource Center or PMRC, a music organizati..

Read More

BADFINGER IN THE NEWS

Mac's Derby Day Party brings Badfinger to Downtown Alton

Alton Telegraph

Joey Molland's Badfinger will help celebrate the hot spring party Saturday, May 6, with the only surviving original member of the iconic 1970s pop rock ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Say No More CD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?

TRANCE FORMATIVE

MOUNTAIN REMAINS A MOUNTAIN

Until strip mining .Spring until drought.

Some cyclic Seasons are ours,too-

we are tree until removed(to make way for a view)

Earth signs crack ,fracked,earthquake.

Air exhausted.Water plastic ,sewage.

We drink our medicines twice.Mutant fish.

Little Fukushimas.Reversal takes Buddhist seaweed(iodine)

Anodyne stories told to enchant.Tribes and ancestors

now arrowheads in creeks.Wake to a fresh

As day progresses,one step @a time

Spells are spoken ,runes thrown,dye cast.

How long does a trance last?Until you awaken!

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Fairport Convention ~ Meet On The Ledge

CURREWNTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Live At Maidstone Castle 1970 DVD - £7.99

Beatles interview 1969

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

The Beatles: Myths and Legends  Book - £9.99

The Beatles and WWII 2CD1DVD - £14.99

FOR THOSE OF YOU UNABLE TO ACCESS YESTERDAY'S BLOG POSTS

Robert Calvert - Ramblings at Dawn, 1982 Interview...

http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/robert-calvert-ramblings-at-dawn-1982.html

RICK WAKEMAN INTERVIEW

http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/rick-wakeman-interview.html

CORKY LAING INTERVIEW

http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/corky-laing-interview.html

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/thom-world-poet-daily-poem_26.html

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: That Legendary Wooden...

http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/the-gonzo-track-of-day-that-legendary.html

http://www.wp.rocktimes.de/pink-fairies-naked-radio-cd-review/

Pink Fairies / Naked Radio - CD review

... on CD , Rock

April 25, 2017

By Markus Kerren

Artist: Pink Fairies Label: Gonzo Multimedia Music: Rock

When the London underground band The Deviants split off from their singer Mick Farren during a US tour (or more precisely, he was fired) after three albums due to "... a few misunderstandings ..." , the remaining three members were first Stranded there before they had the coal back together to make the return flight. Back in London, they were convinced by the drummer Twink to join his band Pink Fairies after being separated from all previous members (including Mick Farren ). In addition to Twink , the former deviants- musician Paul Rudolph (guitars, vocals), Duncan 'Sandy' Sanderson (bass) and Russell Hunter (as the band founder drums) also went into the studio and recorded "Never Neverland". Twink left his own band, which was released as a trio "What A Bunch Of Sweeties" (1972) before Paul Rudolph (who three years later was to replace the Hawkwind fired Lemmy Kilmister ) threw the towel. The post on the guitar was re-filled with Larry Wallis , with whom the disc "Kings Of Oblivion"

For "Kill 'em And Eat' em" (1987), Hunter , Sanderson , Twink , Larry Wallis and Andy Colquhoun were on the second guitar, followed by Mick Farren and the sporadically revived The Deviants and Pink Fairies Working. In the nineties, there were still two discs ("Pleasure Island" from 1996 and "No Picture" from 1997), in which only ' Twink ' and Paul Rudolph from the original or previously listed members were involved, Before the release of Mick Farren (who had previously written lyrics for previous albums), Russell Hunter , 'Sandy' Sanderson and Andy Colquhoun , who also joined Jaki Windmill (keyboards, percussions, vocals) and The second drummer George Butler . Until Farren suffered a heart attack during a gigs in London on July 27, 2013 and died the same night. However, some songs had already been prepared for a new album, an album that is now available under the name "Naked Radio". Russell Hunter , 'Sandy' Sanderson, and Andy Colquhoun , who also joined Jaki Windmill (keyboards, percussion, vocals) and second drummer George Butler . Until Farren suffered a heart attack during a gigs in London on July 27, 2013 and died the same night. However, some songs had already been prepared for a new album, an album that is now available under the name "Naked Radio". Russell Hunter , 'Sandy' Sanderson, and Andy Colquhoun , who also joined Jaki Windmill (keyboards, percussion, vocals) and second drummer George Butler . Until Farren suffered a heart attack during a gigs in London on July 27, 2013 and died the same night. However, some songs had already been prepared for a new album, an album that is now available under the name "Naked Radio". Vocals) and second drummer George Butler . Until Farren suffered a heart attack during a gigs in London on July 27, 2013 and died the same night. However, some songs had already been prepared for a new album, an album that is now available under the name "Naked Radio". Vocals) and second drummer George Butler . Until Farren suffered a heart attack during a gigs in London on July 27, 2013 and died the same night. However, some songs had already been prepared for a new album, an album that is now available under the name "Naked Radio".

And the English can still rock! Even if the psychedelic impact of the early seventies, which is so typical for the band, is no longer present today, these fourteen new tracks have been more than respectable. You will not find any innovations or sound effects of any kind on "Naked Radio", but the pieces rock on earth, with a lot of dirt under the fingernails and yet very melodically through the target. The weakness of the disc unfortunately is the singing, which - depending on the song by different band members - is not always convincing. Very bad, as you as a washer-rocker otherwise very fast with this disc befriends. The best representation for the good Mick Farren is very likely to make Duncan 'Sandy' Sanderson (which unfortunately does not stand, but Russell Hunter sounds quite different in his song, as does Colquhoun ) at "Runnin 'Outa Road", which shook the old spirit of the wild seventies alive again. And with the "Mick", the former frontman is even a musical monument.

Eight of the fourteen tracks are by Andy Colquhoun , three by Mick Farren at one of Russell Hunter and two co-compositions by various band members. Colquhoun is a much better guitarist than a singer, but with his six strings, he lets him crash. The fact that two drummers really pressure from the back comes is clear, but also the bass delivers its share of the success of the record. The keyboards of Jaki Windmill (the first female member of the band's story) remain discreet in the background and support the overall sound, while they are always striking through their percussion and backing vocals.

The package contains a DVD, which shows the fairies at rehearsals, shoots a few (new) video clips, then introduces short interviews with a few band members and finally shows the combo on the stage of the London 100 Club in action. A great and very gladly taken bonus of a already cool album of this underground legend. And even if or just because "Naked Radio" is a disc whose quality unfolds fully after a handful of passages, one should give the disc this a real chance, which she deserved absolutely. Very cool!

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Line-up Pink Fairies:

Russell Hunter (drums, vocals)
Duncan 'Sandy' Sanderson (bass)
Andy Colquhoun (guitars, lead
vocals)
George Butler (drums & percussion) Jaki Windmill (keyboards, percussion, background vocals )

Tracklist "Naked Radio":

CD:

1. Golden Bud
2. The Hills Are Burnin '
3. Runnin 'Outa Luck
4. When The Movie's All Thru '
5. I Walk Away
6. You Lied To Me
7. Midnite Crisis
8. Stopped At The Border
9. Spellbound
10. Down To The Wire
11. Skeleton Army
12. Mick
13. Naked radio
14. Deal deal

DVD:

1. Brighton Electric Rehearsals
2. Video Clips From Sessions
3. Band interviews
4. Live From The 100 Club

Total playing time: 56:32 (CD), 60:00 (DVD), Release year: 2017

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Naked Radio CD - £9.99

Mandies and Mescaline round at Uncle Harry's  CD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?

YOU KNOW OF "THE HIDDEN MESSAGES IN WATER"

How water that is Blessed as "Holy"Water changes itself

while water that is cursed fulfills that intention.

So it is with fruit and vegetables-all food,all people

Curses diminish us-to the point of non-existence

while praise lifts us up and expands our horizons

Elementary this alchemy of goodwill and not-

that the Gordian Knot can be cut by direct praise,

while depression and anger can be resolved via joyfilled expression.

Every word is a chant,a prayer-an affirmation

Every song is a Blessing or an incantation

What is your true purpose in seeking free expression?

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Lana Lane - Stargazer (Rainbow Cover)

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

El Dorado Hotel CD - £9.99

Robert Calvert - Ramblings at Dawn, 1982 Interview

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

At The Queen Elizabeth Hall 1986 CD - £7.99

Centigrade 232 Book - £9.99

Hype Book - £9.99

Blueprints From the Cellar / At The Queen Elizabeth Hall DCD - £7.99

RICK WAKEMAN INTERVIEW

Rick Wakeman talks of tour finale in Gillingham ahead of GillFest

Blackmore Vale Magazine

Veteran keyboard player Rick Wakeman was guesting on the programme promoting his Piano Portraits tour. The GillFest gig on 7th July provides the ...

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

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Rick Wakeman

Richard Christopher 'Rick' Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboard player and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes. He is also known for hi..

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Rick Wakeman and Brian May

Starmus is a festival of music and astronomy on the beautiful island of Tenerife. It is the brain child of Garik Israelian (the astrophysicist who led the team which found the first observational..

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Rick Wakeman and Mario Fasciano

On this extraordinary album, legendary keyboard player teams up with an Italian singer named Mario Fasciano. Stavros Moschopoulos  writes: 'Recorded on the Isle of Man, the CD contains 8 new..

Read More

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Rick Wakeman and Tony Ashton

With special guests  Various artists including: Ian Paice, Rick Parfitt, Steve Hackett, Andy Fairweather Low, John Entwistle etc..

Read More

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Rick Wakeman and Various Artists

Richard Christopher 'Rick' Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboard player and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes. He is also known f..

Read More

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Rick Wakeman, Alan Parsons, John Wetton , Chris Squire, Steve Hillage and others

Musician, producer and former Yes member Billy Sherwood has put together what he’s dubbed “the biggest super group of progressive rock players ever assembled,” to form ..

Read More

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Rick Wakeman, Karnataka, Gentle Giant and more

26 tracks in all, of which 10 are previously unreleased (these including an epic version of Matthew the Man - live in Tokyo 2001 and Beijing - widescreen remix from Iona, and other unreleased tra..

Read More

CORKY LAING INTERVIEW

A quirky chat with Corky Laing

Goldmine Magazine

Mountain's drummer, Corky Laing, reflects on the highs and lows of the classic rock band

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

Playing God
CD - £9.99

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?


STARVING BETWEEN TWO HAYSTACKS

THIS IS WHY CONSPIRACIES ARE ONLY THEORIES

To project malign intention to Government Agencies requires proof

Evidence that would validate such an extreme position-

that all authority is adversarial towards its clients

and we are in a New World Order/Matrix.

True or not,the prophets of right-wing radio/think-tanks

demand we arm ourselves and stock up for impending Armageddons.

So,some do-they grab a gun and seek out proof  of malign intent

in pizza parlors and school shootings.Media feeds such beasts.

They eat the oxygen in any room-they rant and stomp and go red in the face

until their own lives are examined closely.They either then claim to be

"performance artists"or get sacked from media access.Hating the haters does not work-

it inflames them and enrages them and feeds their egoic paranoia.Why folk listen and watch

is the real question.Everybody loves an accident.Provocations push aggression to response.

"You say you want a Revolution?"("I don't want to see the plan..")

investigations April 24, 2017 2:36 pm

4 Psychology Experts on Why Alex Jones Is Always Taking His Shirt Off

Alex Jones, taking his shirt off. Photo: Courtesy of YouTube/TheAlexJonesChannel

Alex Jones — conspiracy theorist and far-right founder of Infowars — has demonstrated time and time again that he’s one of the most unhinged men in America. Most recently, he’s been locked in a custody battle with his ex-wife, leading several particularly Jonesian details to emerge: he once forgot the names of his children’s teachers which he owed to eating a “big ol’ bowl of chili” for lunch, and said he smokes weed exactly once per year to test its potency. He also allegedly “once removed his shirt during family therapy.”

While that mental image is hilarious, it’s not all that surprising: Jones is a proven enthusiast of taking his shirt off at inappropriate moments. He infamously ripped his shirt off during an on-air meltdown and more calmly took one off mid-FBI-monologue. While being interviewed by a German journalist from Der Spiegel, he “suddenly takes off his shirt without explanation” before sitting down to eat barbecue.

Yes, the only thing Alex Jones likes more than revealing his version of the truth is revealing himself in all his barrel-chested glory. But why exactly? Is he an unlikely pioneer of body positivity? Is he — the very personification of the meat sweats — just always running too hot?

We spoke to a few psychology experts to get their take on why he might do it and how it affects the way we see him.

W. Keith Campbell, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Georgia

To be clear — this is speculation:

1. It’s an attention-grabbing shtick to show power. Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan are well-known for this. Alex Jones has built a video show on a shoestring by selling supplements and T-shirts and shirt removal is part of the entertainment value.

2. One of Alex Jones’s philosophical touch points is the fight between man (e.g., freedom, individualism) and the machine (e.g., deep state, social control, transhumanism). The nakedness is a display of humanity.

3. Vanity and exhibitionism might also be an issue. He was allegedly diagnosed with NPD [narcissistic personality disorder] in some of the reporting I saw. He certainly has a “big” personality, but with Alex Jones I would think the most common personality description would be paranoid because of the interest in conspiracy theories. However, with the world as it is now, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between conspiracy theory and conspiracy facts.

Kurt Gray, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

That’s pretty weird! I guess it seems like a dominance display, like when animals puff up their chest or peacocks open their tails. It seems like he’s not just taking off his shirt, but trying to look big and animal-like.

I have some work on how showing more skin makes you seem more emotional/full of passion. By being naked he’s showing that he’s full of anger and feeling.

Joshua Knobe, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Yale University

You can see a person two ways: in terms of their capacity for rational agency, accomplishing goals, thinking about moral questions, exerting self-control. Or you can see them in terms of these more animalistic aspects of the self — you can see a person as capable of feeling pain, feeling afraid, experiencing love, feeling fear. There seems to be trade-off between these two: The more you see people has having one of these qualities, the less you see them having another. Taking your clothes off effects a shift in this trade-off. People on one hand less see you as being capable of the rational part of the mind, less capable of self-control, less capable of affection. On the other hand, they view you as more capable of the animalistic part of the mind, more capable of feeling emotions, feeling afraid, and so forth.

It sort of feels that this second part of the mind is the trademark of Alex Jones. You may think that someone who’s involved in political commentary, they’re supposed to be providing evidence and arguments and so forth. The opposite of the way you would be seen when you’re removing your clothes. Alex Jones is the rare political commentator who doesn’t want you to see him in that way — he wants you to see him viewed more of an animal in a certain sense, in a way that we’re often not seeing other commentators.

John D. Gartner, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Duty to Warn

I think Alex Jones shares a diagnosis of malignant narcissism. First of all, taking off your shirt is exhibitionistic, so that’s the narcissistic component. But at the same time, he’s doing it as an act of aggression. It’s not like a striptease, it’s like a “fuck you! You’re gonna be forced to look at this and I’m dominating you by making you do that.” It’s a power play, but it’s a very narcissistic one. A malignant narcissist, they have four components: they’re narcissistic, they’re antisocial, they’re paranoid, and they’re sadistic.

In that one act, he’s combining all of those impulses: It’s a self-exposure, but it’s also dominating other people, it’s throwing you off balance.

For people who are narcissistic, exhibitionism has its own intrinsic pleasure. It is a “look at me, look at me, look at me” disorder, so at some level you do want people to look at you. But I think when people have this malignant narcissism, that has such a strong component of sadism and aggression. It’s like “look at me,” but it’s a “look at me” that belittles and degrades the people who are looking at them.

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: That Legendary Wooden Lion - Triangle, Woodbine Inn, Waltham Abbey, 1/10/11

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
The Way To(o) Weard
Book - £14.99