A Flock Of Go-Gols
You will excuse our discussing supernaturalism for just one moment.
The difference between a milk bottle and a cassette-recorder, I believe, is that a milk bottle left still in a empty room will, eventually, go off, while a cassette-recorder in an empty room will go off only if left running.
Accounts abound of such recorders clicking into the off position once their time has run and, inscribed upon their electromagnetic tape, listeners-back can hear the disturbances of those passed on, clattering and wailing. Clairaudients attest it, while cynics try and test it. The sounds, whatever their origin, the clanks, the clinks and the sepulchral pitches are there for you to scrutinise with your own ears. The only prelimary that the professional spiritualist asks is that your cassette be blank and your room be empty.
But not only cassettes be blank and rooms be empty. The head of the rock musician, if we may be so glib, is far emptier than an abandoned trunk and his imagination blanker than an uncomprehending stare. If two rock musicians take the room together, how much more the emptiest, for the emptiness of one overlaps, but does not join up, with the other. Two-fold is the blankness that becomes almost white brilliance.
A tape was left to record in a room with three such men. What they did in there is unknown; the cassette is the only evidence not burned. The contents, that is white noise, of the cassette was stretched backwards and forwards as it was searched for communications from the dead - the 'Congratulations, you have just found the secret message' of Pink Floyd's Empty Spaces or 'The music is reversible, but time - turn back!' of Free On High by ELO. Not a note played in the room, if even one note were emitted, is replicated here.
At long last, the death-like utterances of rock and roll's spirit is released on tape. This group, now deceased, if not always so, were named with a punning gallow's humour. For your amusement, these dead new wave souls are called The Go-Gols. Let us say no more about them.
Yours,
Mr. Charles Hatcher and Mr. Reggie Chamberlain-King.
Our thanks are extended to the estates of Mr. O'Reilly, Mr. Costello and Mr. McAuley.
01 apple-pie, but
02 not today, Ben.
03 But, unfortunately, he doesn't say anything.
04 tight & nice & warm
05 hairy-faced men
