Are You Paranoid??? Nearly??? 60%??? 70%???

This here mess is dredged from the twisted minds of Mancunian CP Lee (of Albertos y los Trios Paranoias) & Liverpool musician, music arranger, songwriter, producer, & visual artist John Scott. 

This may be the music you were never meant to hear.

In the decaying days of the 1970s, the situationist-indebted masked art-rock studio duo Gerry & the Holograms began their reign of sarcasm. Their sound arose from the electronic embers of Albertos y los TP via Vertigo commissioned prog & experimental theatre. It was then refined through the musical mind behind the most inspired vinyl moments of Martin 'Zero' Hannett, John Cooper Clarke, & Jilted John. This is the only music of this anti–band, alleged to be the most idiosyncratic, enigmatic post–punk artifact of our time. 

 

During the tenure of these art-crazies, they only released two singles on Absurd Records in 1979. Their first single Meet the Dissidents, Absurd Records ABSURD 4 contained the two tracks "GATH" & "Increased Resistance". Both songs are found here on this "Lost 1979 L.P. by Mancunian D.I.Y Sarcastic Synth-Pop Anonimites" as well as the previously unplayable "Emporer's New Music" & much more.

 

Their second single, The Emperor's New Music, Absurd Records ABSURD 5 contained the song "The Emperor's New Music". At the time of its release, the record was a favorite of Frank Zappa's. It was in fact a conceptual but unplayable record. Each record was pasted with glue to the inside of the picture sleeve. Absurd Records label boss Lawrence Beedle said, "It took the best part of a week to paint & glue them into the bags". 

 

Gerry & the Holograms - G.A.T.H., Finders Keepers Records Cache018LP, 2017.
all decryption codes in comments

Gerry & the Holograms    
Tubular Belles    
Curiosity Killed the Gath    
Fake Moon    
The 43    
Increased Resistance    
Jeep    
The Emperor's New Music    
Just Desserts    
Space Invaders    
Gerry & the Holograms (alternative 1979 Drumbox version)

 

 

 

 

In 1982 Gerry & the Holograms reappeared alongside noted British free jazz saxophonist Lol Coxhill & an unnamed female vocalist as 48 Chairs. 70% Paranoid is a rare album that parallels New York City's No-wave scene of about the same time.

With special thanks to the legendary massed Digswell Pipers led by pipe major Hawn Rondeaux. 

 

48 Chairs - 70% Paranoid, Relentless Records R102, 1982.

Side A -
Snap it Around
Samouri Swords
Camaracadabra
Rhino Whip
Relentless

Side B -
You Were Never There
Psycle Sluts
Discolero
Too Nice for Nigel
Snap it Around (version)

Enjoy,
NØ