The pandemic has made me extra-fond of this episode, because it's one of the last "specials" I did before the lockdown, but I think this episode might be suitable for the pantheon in any timeline. I had of course already inducted Coil into the Bombast Hall of Legends, in four stages, to go along with their "equinox" / "solstice" series. Early days! But here I wind up with airtime on what would be Peter Christopherson's birthday, so it's a "proper" chance to devote the full two hours to their music (and other things, with apologies to Jhonn Balance).
I pronounce PC's surname like "Kristofferson" although I don't really know if that's correct--I become wistful about the Dif Juz HoL induction, triggered by that very question. How lucky I was that at least two of them are alive to answer the question. But not in this case. This program is for the spirits, and for the fans, and for the uninitiated.
There is no cool or interesting origin story for me and my Coil records. I'm sure that Jeremy, Friend of the Program, used to encourage me to play Scatology late at night on the radio, many years ago. And there was a kind docent at the local record store, Alex, who insisted I take home The Unreleased Themes for Hellraiser 10-inch. I'm not a pagan, I'm not into male-only onanistic rituals or anything, I'm just a black cishet guy who loves music that is unusual and good and unusually good. My tastes are probably almost as boring as I am.
I guess I stuck with Coil over the years because they were prolific and restless, building a catalog that is almost self-sufficient--not merely a "desert island disc" but a desert island body of work. In that ridiculous hypothetical, you'd hardly need anyone else's records. Also, there are only a handful of “industrial “ artists who (to me) are unproblematic. It’s a depressingly short list--Coil, Cabaret Voltaire, Chris & Cosey, Test Dept., Bourbonese Qualk, Einsturzende Neubauten, Nocturnal Emissions, Zoviet France, I'm not sure whom I'm forgetting...Everyone else seems too close to Alain Jourgensen, too close to Douglas Pearce, or is actually Genesis. This last bit is less trivial than it sounds--Coil's presence on a compilation is a really good indicator of quantity. I've "discovered" a lot of good sounds just picking up the various "various artists" records on which Coil appeared. And I take the willingness to do comps as an indicator of niceness in a person--easygoing, plays well with others, etc.
So I guess that's it.
It was a lovely evening sitting in the studio and letting the music flow through me, loudly, though I couldn’t seem to say anything correctly when it was time to speak. There is a certain magic(k) in the air whether you listen to this in blinding sunlight or at nighttime as intended.
Since this program was broadcast, 418 days ago now, I've gone "on the air" 57 times. I have delivered 53 pre-recorded episodes on account of the pandemic. I am most definitely biased but I have to say that none of those episodes are better than this one.
BOMBAST playlist, 2020 February 27, 2100-2300:
Everything is good and divine
https://www.facebook.com/radiobombast?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/KidCatharsis
Cruising Altitude Departure 31, 2019 March 23
We Are Your Latenight Weeknight Companion: Transmission 455, 2019 March 20
She Understands There Are Problems: Transmission 454, 2019 March 17
Never Was Naive Enough To Know When I Was Wrong: Transmission 453, 2019 March 13
You Can't Get Enough, But Enough Ain't the Test: Transmission 452, 2019 March 6
Another Island Where No One Remembers Your Name: Transmission 451, 2019 February 27
This Is Why First Impressions Are Often Correct: Transmission 450, 2019 February 20
I'll Walk You Through The Heartbreak, Show You All the Outtakes: Transmission 449, 2019 February 13
I Gave My Time, Now I Want It Back: Transmission 448, 2019 February 6
Fireworks for You in the Ozone Snow: Transmission 447, 2019 January 30
Ducking as a Chandelier Comes Crashing Down: Transmission 446, 2019 January 29
Everybody Hears You and Don't Hate What You Say: Transmission 445, 2019 January 23
Protecting You from Psychological Harm Is Our Ultimate Aim: Transmission 444, 2019 January 16
Keep Your Gifts and Keep Your Money: Transmission 443, 2019 January 9
Sound Formed in a Vacuum May Seem a Waste of Time: Transmission 442, 2019 January 4
How Long Have You Had This Plan: Transmission 441, 2019 January 2
A Happier Planet Than This One: Transmission 440, 2018 December 26
We Met at a Ski Lodge: Transmission 439, 2018 December 23
Let Me Show You How Sweet It Could Be: Transmission 438, 2018 December 19
You Know That Time's Not Kind: Transmission 437, 2018 December 12
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