Author Archives: Barry's Imaginary Publisher

Geni

Build your own family tree online: Geni. How long before someone signs up as Dweezil?

Posted in Geek | 4 Comments

When In Doubt, Poll

Audience participation time, ladies & gentlemen! Here’s a little poll which, depending on the results, may well spark a new feature on KUR. Thanks for your collaboration… {democracy:1} Note: if the form above looks a bit wonky, refresh browser!

Posted in Music | 14 Comments

Reviewing A To Z

Disclaimer: this page is not written by from the point of view of a Frank Zappa fanatic and is not generally intended for narrow-perspective Frank Zappa fanatics. If you are deeply offended by criticism, non-worshipping approach to your favourite artist, … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, Zappa Articles | 13 Comments

Margarita Fridays

Rip Rense wrote an interesting account of the “salon evenings” that were held at Zappa’s house near the end of his life, and of how they came to be: At Gail Zappa’s behest, the blenders roared every Friday evening about … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa Articles | 7 Comments

Kill Kill Kill!

Frank Zappa talks about the occasion when he brought Marines up on stage at the Garrick Theater, back in 1967…

Posted in Frank Zappa, Politics, Zappa Audio/Video | 1 Comment

RIP Michael Brecker

Saxophonist Michael Brecker, who contributed to several FZ recordings including Zappa In New York, has died of leukemia at the age of 57. (And yes, this page has read like an obituary column lately… let’s hope it doesn’t stay that … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, Zappa Misc | 4 Comments

Moore Some More

Michael Moore to Bush: send even MORE troops (and you go too)! Another few thousand is simply not enough to find those weapons of mass destruction! Er, I mean… bringing those responsible for 9/11 to justice! Um, scratch that. Try … Continue reading

Posted in Amusing, In The News, Politics | 3 Comments

Boston ’75 (2)

As promised, here’s the Boston 27/04/75 Late Show.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Friday Boots | 4 Comments

From Musical Telegraph To Synclavier

Fascinating: a history of the electronic musical instrument, from 1870 to 1990 (including the Synclavier). (via Bernard)

Posted in Music, Pop Cult | Comments Off on From Musical Telegraph To Synclavier

The Future Of Pop?

Essex rock band Koopa could become the first unsigned group to land a UK top 40 hit thanks to new chart rules. The bulk of Koopa’s followers are teenagers who are buying the single using a mobile phone rather than … Continue reading

Posted in In The News, Music, Pop Cult | 2 Comments

It’s… De-lurking Week!

Yes, you heard right: it’s De-lurking Week here at KUR, as is the case all over the Blog-O-Sphere! Are you a long-time reader, yet never commented? A first-time reader and want to say hi? A KUR-regular who comments all the … Continue reading

Posted in Randamonium | 57 Comments

RIP Sneaky Pete

Steel pedal guitarist “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow, a founding member of The Flying Burrito Brothers and contributor to FZ’s Waka/Jawaka album, has died.

Posted in Frank Zappa, In The News, Zappa Misc | 2 Comments

The Captain, A Documentary

Via Casper (thanks Casper!), here’s an interesting 1997 BBC documentary on the life and times of Don Van Vliet, Captain Beefheart: Parts two and three.

Posted in Film, Frank Zappa, Music | 7 Comments

Velvet Acetate

A rare acetate of the Velvet Underground’s lost Scepter studio sessions was recently sold on eBay for $25,000. Care to have a listen? The mp3’s are available here.

Posted in Music, Pop Cult | 4 Comments

3000 Faces

Check this painfully clear and accurate Flash-based presentation of the demographics of U.S. service members who have died in the Iraq war to date. These days I tend to avoid posting about “Operation Iraqi Freedom We’re Not Winning So Let’s … Continue reading

Posted in In The News, Politics | Comments Off on 3000 Faces