Everything your favorite band can do, GONG can do better...

Well, perhaps that's somewhat of a sanctimonius claim, but the musical output of GONG is fucking good. Not unlike Amon Duul, Magma, or even Sun Ra, Gong based their entire musical output on self-invented mythologies, characters, and even a sort of quasi-"religion". The only real difference in Gong's inception is that they have no fear of being silly or absurd, and often choose these themes over serious drama or mysticism. But Gong still wore crazy shaman-like outfits, were fascinated by space & the cosmos, lived somewhat communally, and embraced psychedelic drugs like most bands of this kind in the late 60's/early 70's. Oh, and they're not Krautrock! (Started by an Austrailian and filled out by various other members throughout the years.)

The original guitar player for The Soft Machine (pre the jazz line up) jumped ship and started Gong as an output for music he had made with his wife. Like most "side projects" of the time, the first Gong recordings are really just a bunch musicians from other bands getting high and jamming; unfocused but fun. You could describe the first three LP's in this way actually...

But things got ultimately more deliberate by the time Gong started their 3-album storyline Radio Gnome Invisible, which is really good and where you should jump in, then go backwards. Members of the band took character personas and costumes during this period, elevating the shows to a weird broadway on acid, in space, in Mel Blank's head. The beings inhabiting the universe of Gong include the Pothead Pixies, Octave Doctors, and of course, Radio Gnomes who wish to spread the way of life on their planet. Sounds a bit like Sun Ra's cosmic mythos and the lessons he had for Earth people, but with a lot more irreverence thrown in.

Shit, I haven't even mentioned the sound yet. The first album, as mentioned before, isn't as coherent or as unique as the Radio Gnome Trilogy, but still has great stuff. Some of it sounds like leftover Soft Machine songs, some sounds like a vey together Syd Barrett, while some is truly bizarre studio experimentation (check out a track like "Princess Dreaming"). Not bad, but all the fun shit really starts to go down on the first part of the trilogy, Flying Teapot. At this point, the song structures get insane, MiniMoog's start flying around, and the epic tale gets underway for the next few records. One might be reminded of Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson, PFM, Matching Mole, early Floyd, Passport, or Van Der Graf Generator.

All psych or prog fans should give them a listen, now!

Oh, and here's a great place to learn more (and hear) about GONG...
BLACK ACID Blog