William S. Burroughs, Throbbing Gristle, Brion Gysin

by V. Vale (Editor), Andrea Juno (Editor), William S. Burroughs (Contributor)

In an inspired touch, RE/Search publisher V. Vale brought together the work of groundbreaking novelist William Burroughs and avant-garde painter Brion Gysin (already linked by their collaborations in the “cut-up” method of artistic creation) with the founders of industrial music, Throbbing Gristle, for this seminal document of ‘80s underground culture. Originally published in 1982, the book combined “primary source interviews,” in which subjects discuss advanced ideas involving the social control process, creativity, and the future; scarce essays; rare fiction excerpts; bibliographies; discographies; and biographies. The book quickly became a celebrated addition to RE/Search’s notorious list and to the canon of ‘80s subculture. This expanded edition contains previously unpublished interviews with Burroughs, Gysin, and Throbbing Gristle by V. Vale; a new article on Throbbing Gristle with photographs; unseen photographs of Burroughs; and much more to satisfy both the Burroughs, Gysin, and Gristle completist and anyone who wants to make sense of the kinds of cultural assaults they embodied.

Genres: Music, Art, Nonfiction, Cultural, Biography, Poetry, Reference

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Japanese-American writer and publisher. He also played keyboards for the later famous power trio Blue Cheer.

In 1977 he started to publish the punk fanzine "Search and destroy" In 1980, he began publication of RE/Search, a tabloid format zine focusing on various counterculture and underground topics.

RE/Search later became always a format for books, of which Vale is a regular contributor.

Reviews

[Rachelandthecity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to spend hours in Tower Books in Nashville reading Re/search. I think this is the only one I ever purchased. I ended up seeing Genisis of Throbbing Gristle when he played with Psychic Television in Chicago in 1993. Was really glad I had read this book cause I got to meet him and wasn't totally without any context to have a decent conversation.

*I think he was out of his mind on X at the time.

[Nathan "N.R." Gaddis]

WE NEED SOME DISCIPLINE IN HERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRcgQ_...

for a non-surgical approach , see The Book of Dolores

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat. If you've been through Burroughs and Gysin before there is not much new here. The value is in the collection: the Burroughs interviews and excerpts, the Gysin work, and the interviews galore with their inadvertent progeny, Throbbing Gristle.
(Nice artwork, too)

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the most progressive writers, musicians and artists of our time.

[Daniel Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important part of growing older is going and back reading stuff you thought was cool when you were 16 and realizing “Oh, these guys were just libertarians.” Still, while some Burroughs and TG’s futurist principles may seem a bit yeesh-inducing through modern eyes, their output speaks for itself, and reading about their creative processes is really compelling and invigorating. Genesis P-Orridge does most of the talking in Throbbing Gristle’s third, quelle surprise, and alternates between sounding surprisingly sane and lucid and waffling/bullshitting. Lol at Peter Christopherson looking like the most stereotypical 1981 Gay Guy of all time.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight up, William S. Burroughs, Throbbing Gristle, Brion Gysin is more tender than its tough exterior lets on. V. Vale spends most of the book acting cold, then lets one scene crack the whole thing open. It's worth the wait. Great for readers who like a slow thaw, skip if you want warmth from page one.

[Chris Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting interview with Burroughs as well as extracts from The Boy Scouts Manual. Long out of print, you'll be lucky to find a copy at a reasonable price. It isn't worth the extortionist amounts it's being sold for on Abebooks.

[Micky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is beautyfull.

[Brian Dallas]

i got this while working at an indie record store in the early 90's. still have it. exposed me to some many things. (unfinished)

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic download of crucial information.

[Darren Kingaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. V Vale provided a template for those of us in the 80s looking for our transgressive roots.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading William S. Burroughs, Throbbing Gristle, Brion Gysin left me with one core realization: V. Vale knows that true independence starts the second you stop asking authority for permission.

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Vale and his press Re/Search. And this edition is a great introduction to William S. Burroughs and his work with the artist/writer Brion Gysin. They were sort of the Marcel Duchamp/Man Ray of the 60s, when Burroughs really got into experimental writing i.e. cut-ups, dream machine, etc.

Also a good intro to the world of Throbbing Gristle as well. Use this book to explore the culture around Burroughs and his world circ. 60's to the 70's.

[kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

the issue on William S Burroughs, Brion Gysin and Throbbing Gristle. inspiring and well illustrated. complete with plenty suggestions for further reading. this is a great book/magazine to stretch out over a longish period of time, savoring.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its been a long time since I read this, but used much of the material on William S. Burroughs to write an essay on said William S. Burroughs. There is also a great discussion on the cut up method used in some of Burroughs' novels.

[Jessi MotherFucking Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the interviews

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giants that walked the earth.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly cool collection of interviews and photos of some true iconoclasts.

[Ed Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book which introduced a generation of high school students/punks to Burroughs.

[Nikki1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fond memories revisited...

[Magick Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuph!

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old but still good, it's a shame there's nothing like RE/Search (or there probably is, but it's lost in the detritus of the internet).

[Mills College Library]

currently-reading

[Mark Holsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primary source material for research from RE/search