Wandering the Psychedelic Galaxy with Gong
Series: Echo Location: Soundings for New Music
From: John Diliberto
Length: 00:03:30
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Piece Description
There aren’t many bands out there that can sing about interstellar voyages, pot-head pixies and Zero the hero without even an ounce of irony. But the progressive rock band called Gong is still doing it after 40 years.
Gong wraps itself in its own myth, namely, that we’re in contact with mystical, acid drenched beings from the planet Gong. Founder Daevid Allen and fellow guitarist Steve Hillage talk about glissando guitar, deep space echo and the daze of Gong.
It's part of Echo Location: Soundings for New Music, the weekly digest from Echoes host and Peabody Award winning producer John Diliberto, exploring the latest in modern music with quick hitting interviews, music and commentary. Each edition of Echo Location features a beautifully edited music blend, that's combined with John's thoughtful insights and artists's comments to make a sound-rich journey for listeners. Each episode can stand on its own or be scheduled as a weekly or occasional series.
Broadcast History
WXPN Philadelphia and WITF Harrisburg
Transcript
:10
THE ORIGINAL STAR TREK ENDED IN 1969, BUT ANOTHER BAND OF SPACE TRAVELERS CALLED GONG LAUNCHED THAT YEAR AND THEY'RE STILL WANDERING THE GALAXIES.
Musik
:26
GONG IS A FREE-WHEELING PSYCHEDELIC BAND THAT WRAPS ITSELF IN ITS OWN MYTH, NAMELY, THAT WE'RE IN CONTACT WITH MYSTICAL, ACID DRENCHED BEINGS FROM THE PLANET GONG. IT’S NEVER QUITE CLEAR WHETHER THE BAND TREAT THIS AS FACT OR METAPHOR. LIKE SUN RA, THEY SEEM TO LIVE THE LIFE AND SPEAK THE JARGON, WHETHER ON-STAGE OR OFF. GONG'S FOUNDER IS THE 71 YEAR OLD AUSTRALIAN GUITARIST, DAEVID ALLEN.
:31
DA: Well Gong has an ongoing story to it. So that is kind of a backbone and guide. It really is a teaching story--in the old Sufi sense-- it's meant to be a story. But we never wanted it to sound serious because then everyone embraces it as a religion-- a terrifying prospect. So we made it as silly as we possibly could,...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Incue: [sonar sound] This is an Echo Location: Soundings for New Music.
Outcue: I’m John Diliberto and this has been an Echo Location.
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