Wednesday 10 July 2019

KEV ROWLAND FRENCH REVIEW

Books :
The  Progressive Underground by Kev Rowland – Gonzo Multimedia (296 pp)

Back in the pre-internet days of the 80’s and 90’s, when prog was mocked or ignored by the musical medias, a bunch of die-hard prog fans created what was called fanzines (a contraction of fans and magazines), the same way as comics and Science-fiction fans did. That’s the story of Harmonie, Varia, Koid9 and Acid Dragon in France for instance. In UK, we had Kevin Rowland’s Feedback (I still have a few copies). Those cheap but serious magazines were a basic source for the bands which were isolated and could not communicate with their fans and expand their fandom except through episodic newsletters, and for fans eager to discover new bands or the new albums by their favourite groups.

Two years ago, Kev had the excellent idea of collecting the reviews he wrote during the 16 years of the life of this legendary fanzine. Yes 16! When you know the passion, the integrity of this hard working guy, you easily guess this volume 1 is a reference (yes other volumes will follow!). I should say a real bible written by one of the prophets who endlessly discovered and supported the new bands born in this new prog era. By the quality of his writing, he quickly became an important contributor to our magazine and we are proud of that. The bands selected here are presented with their best albums, fully illustrated. This volume features bands from A to K included. I was happy finding big names (Fish, The Gathering, Hawkwind for instance) but also more ‘obscure’ but talented ones such as Anyone’s Daughter, Aragon, Asgard, Brassé, Castarnac, Chandelier, Deyss, Flamborough Head... Kev goes beyond the British Isles which is not so frequent! I even found some outfits I didn’t know!! Actually, this is the main quality of this book, highlighting prog’s best kept secrets. Take a ticket to ride to this gorgeous trip, the prog tube is waiting for you.  RR


CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO

The Progressive Underground Vol 1
Book - £12.99

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...BECAUSE SOME OF US THINK THAT THIS STUFF IS IMPORTANT
What happens when you mix what is - arguably - the world's most interesting record company, with an anarchist manic-depressive rock music historian polymath, and a method of dissemination which means that a daily rock-music magazine can be almost instantaneous?

Most of this blog is related in some way to the music, books and films produced by Gonzo Multimedia, but the editor has a grasshopper mind and so also writes about all sorts of cultural issues which interest him, and which he hopes will interest you as well.