03 May 2023

A Propitious Opportunity to Leave

May is upon us, always a favorite of mine as it is the month of my birth, as is today the anniversary of said natality.

Also the 5th month of the year. I am a firm believer in the Law of Five & the power of Virus 23. This also ties in with William S. Burroughs, who I touched on in the last post. That's where this post comes in to play. 

 



23 Skidoo took their name from an American slang phrase translating loosely as 'move it', or 'get out while the going is good'. This same philosophy - cut, run, & confound - would become a guiding principle for this unique, unorthodox group. They lifted the name from the famous Illuminati trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson & Robert Shea but 23 Skidoo has also had a place of prominence in the works of Aleister Crowley & William S. Burroughs (a favorite of the band).

The origins of 23 Skidoo lie in a punk-inspired schoolboy trio formed in North London in 1979.
By 1980, the 23 Skidoo collective had become a quartet, comprising Fritz Catlin on drums, Sam Mills on guitar, Johnny Turnbull on guitar & Patrick Griffiths on bass. They were soon joined by Alex Turnbull on percussion, drums, bass & Tom Heslop on vocals, electronics, saxophone.

23 Skidoo released a series of highly influential records fusing post-punk, dub, industrial, world, & hip-hop styles. Their influences ranged from The Pop Group to Parliament to Fela Kuti to Can to Eno to This Heat.

Their first single, Last Words reference Burroughs. Tom Heslop commented: ''Certainly I read a lot of William Burroughs, and we've played with the cut-up thing. Oh yeah, it works. It always comes out with some meaning, even if it's a bit strange.'' 

 

23 Skidoo - Last Words, Fetish Records FE 10, 1981.
all decryption codes in comments

Last Words b/w Last Words (version) 


 
 
September 16, 1981 Skidoo also recorded an impressive 4-song session for John Peel, with only "Four Note Bass" subsequently appearing on record as "Porno Base".
 
 

Macaw Gunger
View from Here
Four Note Bass
Retain Control
 
 
 
 

At the end of November Skidoo entered Jacob's Studio in Farnham to record the seminal Seven Songs. The eight tracks were recorded over three days & like Skidoo live shows were part funk & part experimental featuring: thumb piano & pygmy pipe on Martin Denny pastiche "Quiet Pillage"; a lock groove; & within "Porno Base" the refined voice of Diana Mitford, decrying the pernicious influence of pop music.
 
23 Skidoo - Seven Songs, Fetish Records FM 2008, 1982.

Side A -
Kundalini
Vegas el Bandito
Mary's Operation (then lock groove)

Side B -
New Testament
IY
Porno Base
Quiet Pillage (then lock groove)


 
 
 
Immediately after the recording Seven Songs, Alex & Johnny left to travel in the Far East for three months.  A 'reduced personnel' trio of Fritz, Sam, & Tom  recorded Tearing Up the Plans.
 
 
23 Skidoo - Tearing up the Plans 12" 45, Fetish Records FP 20, 1982.

Side P -
Tearing up the Plans (pt. 1)
Tearing up the Plans (pt. 2)

Side F -
Just Like Everybody (featuring Tim Soar)
Gregouka

 
 
 
 
With the massive success of Seven Songs, the Turnbull brothers were hurriedly recalled from Singapore. Dates by the full band were hastily arranged. On June 16th, Skidoo headlined a prestigious London show at The Venue. Shortly before going onstage, Sam Mills & Tom Heslop were dismissed from the band, though to their great credit both still performed that night. For Fritz & the Turnbull brothers, it really was a case of Tearing up the Plans - ironically enough, the title of the newest EP featuring the 'reduced personnel' of Fritz, Sam and Tom. Ah, well, 23 Skidoo!

From this point onward, 23 Skidoo morphed into another enity. That, however, is a story for another day (next month...hint...hint).

Enjoy,

14 comments:

  1. Last Words
    ws3ZJX6DbPzpc6AYaXuEVnxdYF__LNJqE5GzPFW11DE
    Peel Session
    IlG7aGQLIzOJxFMY9-cCHMlKEG6f8FZYfgSYqqTsVTw
    Seven Songs
    vGf1ZjoawPod6DvQEukW6pEYWrClXwWoeyW5wdIYwPo
    Tearing Up the Plans
    bOTnhuAPUGXz0U6-737DAz5gZ1FSFl17vVuHZzfG758

    ReplyDelete
  2. H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y N A T H I N ' N O T H I N' ! ! !

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    Replies
    1. thanksviacomclosedmedownonchewtube

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  3. A happy birthday to you taurus,
    my wife is tomorrow and I am the 5th!!
    i stumbled in here about a year ago and have greatly enjoyed the diversity you have been posting
    cheeeeeers.
    everythingisnothing.ca

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the birdlegs greetin'. Check back on the 5th for a Taurus salute (cheezy but apropos). I snooped around your trail of breadcrumbs. I put a link to Eveything is Nothing. Digging what I'm seeing & reading. Hope others stop by & give a read. It appears we have a lot in common at first glance. I'll be by often for some more lit.

      Glad you found this dump, hung around for a year, & even enjoyed some of the posts.

      If you ever have any requests, let me know. I can't share if I don't got, but if I do, I'm always glad to.

      Happy B'day to both you & the Ms.

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  4. Same wavelenght. Just this week listening to Urban Gamelan.
    It happens.
    Now to sports.
    Cheers
    Diego
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqXxogwIC_I

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    Replies
    1. I'll be sharing Urban Gamelan in the second installment of the 23 Skidoo saga next month (there are actually three parts, so stay tuned).

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  5. Just sent a comment concerning your post and reading the lot found about your birthday.
    Hit the bong and for many more..
    My best wishes, o sailor of the digital maelstrom.
    Diego

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday, Nate! And endless thanks for your inspiring posts and the excellent music you share. Best wishes from Munich!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You lot are making me blush. You are all too kind. Love you all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Birthday, and thank you for the great shares! Very much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is my pleasure sharing. Thanks for the B'day wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The naissance of Nathan! Belated birthday tidings, and best wishes for many more propitious opportunities in the year 2K + 23.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you brother. "naissance", man, I had to look it up.I used the word "natality" in the first sentence. I made it up by combining nativity & falatity, hope that wasn't to grim.

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