April 21, 2020

SOVIET SPACE GRAPHICS

New release: Phaidon has just published a book called Soviet Space Graphics: Cosmic Visions From the USSR featuring 240 pages of cool illustrations and designs from the space age. From the press release: "This otherworldly collection of Soviet space-race graphics takes readers on a cosmic adventure through Cold War-era Russia. Created against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, the extraordinary images featured, taken from the period's hugely successful popular-science magazines, were a vital tool for the promotion of state ideology. Presenting more than 250 illustrations depicting daring discoveries, scientific innovations, futuristic visions, and extraterrestrial encounters, Soviet Space Graphics unlocks the door to the creative inner workings of the USSR." More info at Amazon and Phaidon. Related Spy Vibe post: Soviet New Year Cards. Enjoy!

















Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Numan is FABBruce Lee BluJohn Barry EventRSD Vinyl SpiesJames Bond's DB5UFO CD SetSpy Vibe radio: Phantom AgentsSteranko is Revolutionary!Interview: The Saint I Ain'tDiabolik InterviewNew 007 SongDiabolik FiguresDiabolik SoundsDiabolik Set DesignDiabolik Park RideDanger Diabolik BluCount Arthur StrongHoney West Title CardsBowie DayNew Year CosmonautsNeil Innes R.I.P.Claudine Auger R.I.P.OHMSS at 50Italian Job 50th OSTCharles Schulz ModernPaul DesmondPython 50thRandall Hopkirk 50thThunderbirds DayLazenby Returns to MI6Dr. John R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin IIILupin SkaSpy Vibe PrimeZigomar TranslationThe Village: Part 1Monkey Punch R.I.P.Bubble Girl 63ITC SoundtracksSpy Vibe Radio: Public EyeUFO PrimeSpaceship to MarsModesty Blaise CompanionSpy Vibe Radio: FantomasGeorge DayFantomas BluDark Shadows DocBedazzled Blu-rayMary Quant ExhibitLaika CalypsoLost in Space JapanSpy Dust CalypsoAtomic CafeJohn Barry MonoInterview: John Barry BookLand of the Giants ScoreSkyfall ConcertDearest EmmaSpy Vibe Radio: UppersevenOgilvy at ElstreeMabuse PropagandaBond Beatles DaySpy Vibe Radio: LiquidatorDiabolik LPFab DressesEurospy Music CollectionBeetle Bailey in West BerlinWhy Mort Walker?Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!Avengers Critical GuideThe SpotnicksBenny SpiesJames Pond 0017'Satire StonesAnnette Andre BookCat DaySpy Vibe Radio: Get SmartCaine: My GenerationInterview: Ian OgilvyHorror of Party BeachSylvie Vartan RenownRingo At 78Dark Shadows StripsSpy Vibe Radio: FlintArchie Batman 66Paul at 76Beatles Pac-ManSpy Vibe Radio: Jerry CottonThe Invaders007 Horowitz Book TourMcGoohan/Prisoner Event at ElstreeThe Prisoner Interviews Vol 1British Underground PressInterview: Fab4 ManiaBond Cocktail BookBond at BletchleySpy SmasherSpy Vibe Radio: Peter GunnAgent Zero MNew Prisoner ComicDr. No Villains EditionSpy Vibe Radio: Danger DiabolikDr. No 60thOy-Oy-SevenSpy Vibe Radio (UFO)Cold War Comic StripsThunderball EventMission to IndiaMort Walker CelebrationPeter Wyngarde CelebrationBatman 66 ExhibitPrisoner Fifty EventIan Fleming Publications 2017-2018Interview: Ed Hulse PulpAvengers Audio DramaInterview: Callan At 50Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private EyesTWA ReturnsSpy Vibe Radio 8Interview: Ryan HeshkaMid-Century Modern SchulzAgent WerewolfJohnny Sokko 50thInterview: Trina RobbinsEddie IzzardThe Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50thHugh Hefner R.I.P.Jack Good R.I.P.Interview: Shaken Not StirredCallan 50thSpy Vibe Radio 7The Prisoner 50th EventSpy-Fi EventKaho Aso 007Two MillionBo DiddleyCarnaby PopLe Carre EventsBilly Bragg SkiffleElvis 68Jack Kirby The PrisonerCasino Royale ConcertReview: The Prisoner Vol 2Interview: The Prisoner Essential GuideMaud Russell MottisfontSpy Vibe Radio 4Batman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

April 17, 2020

NUMAN IS FAB

Greetings, Spy Vibers! How's everybody doing? I know it's quite intense in many areas right now, so I hope everyone is staying safe. In this post I want to spotlight a cool episode of the Gerry Anderson podcast. So many of us grew up as fans of the ever-innovative and dynamic programs created by Gerry and Sylvian Anderson. I was pleased to learn that one of my biggest music heroes, Gary Numan, not only used to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail every night as his comfort viewing, but also the Gerry Anderson shows loomed large in his life. Gary sat down for a great 40min chat in 2018 with Jamie Anderson to talk all about cool shows, gadgets, aesthetics, art, and much more! From the episode description: "Music legend, and the man behind hits like 'Cars' and 'Are Friends Electric?', Gary Numan joins us today. Gary's a huge fan of Gerry Anderson shows and credits them for some of his iconic looks and musical inspiration." It was so fun to hear Gary talk about his early recollections of Fireball XL5, TV21 comics, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO, Space 1999, his fascination with all the cool vehicles (Thunderbird 2!), collecting the Corgi toys, and dreaming as a little boy of becoming one of those pilot characters (of course, he did become a pilot!). Gary also mentioned that, as a boy with Aspergers, he often felt more comfortable with machinery than he'd ever been with people, which fed his enthusiasm for all the mechanical designs in the shows. He also talked about how endlessly fun it was to see sequences, like the Thunderbirds intro, over and over: "It's like listening to a band play your favorite song for the hundredth time; you still love it." And he made a great quip about the length of some of the launch sequences: "I suppose, really, by the time it launched, the emergency was over!" Jamie said that Gary and his dad, Gerry Anderson, would have found a lot in common with each other. As one might guess from the amount of detail in the programs, Gerry was quite fascinated with airplanes. I hadn't known that Gerry's brother had been an RAF pilot and was shot down during WWII, and Gerry himself had RAF experiences at the end off the war. Jamie's conversation with Gary Numan was fluid, fun, and often deep. As an artist, Gary revealed that the shows really fed him creatively as a young guy. When asked if Barry Gray's scores were an inspiration, Gary admitted that he has rarely looked to music for ideas; rather, he said his inspirations have been almost entirely from aesthetics, books, films, and daily observations. He described these as the sparks in life that generate truly personal work vs. emulation or pastiche. If Spy Vibers haven't checked in with Gary Numan since the 1980s, I really recommend seeking out albums like Pure and Splinter, as well as the recent song When the World Comes Apart (expect an industrial vibe); and take a look at the excellent documentary Reinvention. The 2016 doc Android in La La Land also goes very deep and honest into his emotional life and family; it's worth watching until the end (streaming on Amazon). But if you really want to see his growth in a powerful snapshot, check out this 2018 appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test singing with his daughter Persia. Numan has just grown better and better with age and experience! Also, check out this amazing performance of Are Friends Electric?, produced as part of the AllSaints Basement Sessions filmed in an old air aid shelter in East London (might be my music clip of the year). Another great clip is Pressure from 2009. He's a fantastic, down-to-earth guy and a unique artist- and we have Gerry Anderson to thank for some of that spark-magic! Listen to the 40min interview segment at the Gerry Anderson Podcast (starts at 34:00). Oh, and speaking of cool Corgi collections, here's one for the fans: Corgi Premiums actually produced a die-cast model of Gary Numan's futuristic Telekon Chair used in stage performances of "Down in the Park.". It was only available during his last tour and there a some left on the website. You can order one (with a signed card!) at the official Gary Numan shop. Stay safe out there ("safest of all- in cars"?). Below: beautiful designs for Gary Numan's 2015 residency at the Forum to perform some classic albums, the Telekom-Era Corgi toy, and a whimsical Captain Scarlet-Numan mashup image posted by Gary when he announced this podcast. Spectrum is Green!


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Bruce Lee BluJohn Barry EventRSD Vinyl SpiesJames Bond's DB5UFO CD SetSpy Vibe radio: Phantom AgentsSteranko is Revolutionary!Interview: The Saint I Ain'tDiabolik InterviewNew 007 SongDiabolik FiguresDiabolik SoundsDiabolik Set DesignDiabolik Park RideDanger Diabolik BluCount Arthur StrongHoney West Title CardsBowie DayNew Year CosmonautsNeil Innes R.I.P.Claudine Auger R.I.P.OHMSS at 50Italian Job 50th OSTCharles Schulz ModernPaul DesmondPython 50thRandall Hopkirk 50thThunderbirds DayLazenby Returns to MI6Dr. John R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin IIILupin SkaSpy Vibe PrimeZigomar TranslationThe Village: Part 1Monkey Punch R.I.P.Bubble Girl 63ITC SoundtracksSpy Vibe Radio: Public EyeUFO PrimeSpaceship to MarsModesty Blaise CompanionSpy Vibe Radio: FantomasGeorge DayFantomas BluDark Shadows DocBedazzled Blu-rayMary Quant ExhibitLaika CalypsoLost in Space JapanSpy Dust CalypsoAtomic CafeJohn Barry MonoInterview: John Barry BookLand of the Giants ScoreSkyfall ConcertDearest EmmaSpy Vibe Radio: UppersevenOgilvy at ElstreeMabuse PropagandaBond Beatles DaySpy Vibe Radio: LiquidatorDiabolik LPFab DressesEurospy Music CollectionBeetle Bailey in West BerlinWhy Mort Walker?Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!Avengers Critical GuideThe SpotnicksBenny SpiesJames Pond 0017'Satire StonesAnnette Andre BookCat DaySpy Vibe Radio: Get SmartCaine: My GenerationInterview: Ian OgilvyHorror of Party BeachSylvie Vartan RenownRingo At 78Dark Shadows StripsSpy Vibe Radio: FlintArchie Batman 66Paul at 76Beatles Pac-ManSpy Vibe Radio: Jerry CottonThe Invaders007 Horowitz Book TourMcGoohan/Prisoner Event at ElstreeThe Prisoner Interviews Vol 1British Underground PressInterview: Fab4 ManiaBond Cocktail BookBond at BletchleySpy SmasherSpy Vibe Radio: Peter GunnAgent Zero MNew Prisoner ComicDr. No Villains EditionSpy Vibe Radio: Danger DiabolikDr. No 60thOy-Oy-SevenSpy Vibe Radio (UFO)Cold War Comic StripsThunderball EventMission to IndiaMort Walker CelebrationPeter Wyngarde CelebrationBatman 66 ExhibitPrisoner Fifty EventIan Fleming Publications 2017-2018Interview: Ed Hulse PulpAvengers Audio DramaInterview: Callan At 50Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private EyesTWA ReturnsSpy Vibe Radio 8Interview: Ryan HeshkaMid-Century Modern SchulzAgent WerewolfJohnny Sokko 50thInterview: Trina RobbinsEddie IzzardThe Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50thHugh Hefner R.I.P.Jack Good R.I.P.Interview: Shaken Not StirredCallan 50thSpy Vibe Radio 7The Prisoner 50th EventSpy-Fi EventKaho Aso 007Two MillionBo DiddleyCarnaby PopLe Carre EventsBilly Bragg SkiffleElvis 68Jack Kirby The PrisonerCasino Royale ConcertReview: The Prisoner Vol 2Interview: The Prisoner Essential GuideMaud Russell MottisfontSpy Vibe Radio 4Batman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama Review.