Wreckers of Civilisation: The Story of COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle

by Simon Ford

"These people are the wreckers of civilisation", exclaimed the conservative Member of Parliament Nicholas Fairbairn in 1976. His outburst was meant to describe four artists and musicians - Genesis P-Orridge, Cosey Fani Tutti, Peter Christopherson and Chris Carter. What "these people" had done to deserve such an epithet, and what they were about to do, is the subject of this book.

Wreckers of Civilisation recalls a time which despite volumes of print remains occluded, obdurate, even that moment before the conservative reconstruction. To be awake in London in the late 1970s was to be plunged into externally manifest in riot, internally within various forms of damage and depression and, if one felt brave or driven, extreme aesthetics. COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle mark the furthest reach of that even more so than Punk, they plunged into a technological and personal examination of the dark side - the forbidden, the taboo, the dystopian future on the doorstep. Today this might seem like science fiction or deliberate shock tactics, but then it seemed like reportage, front line dispatches from a convulsed country.

Genres: Music, Art, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Canon

300 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd perhaps, but decided to re-rate my original generous 5 star rating of this book after reading Cosey Fanni Tutti's excellent memoir 'Art Sex Music'. Still worth the read, but prefer Cosey's version of the COUM / TG history.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll go ahead and say this is "amazing." Obviously, if you 1) don't care about Throbbing Gristle and/or 2) don't care about performance art, you might not get as much out of this book. Ford does a good job of not just summarizing what TG (and COUM Transmissions) did, but rooting it firmly in the context of what was happening politically and socially around them. If I ever doubted the power of art and the possibilities for making meaningful, politically-driven art, this book dispelled my doubts. I don't typically re-read biographies but I am finding that when I feel like I need artistic inspiration, this is the book I turn to. Some have "The Artist's Way." I've got this.

[Pol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only just begun this thing and it's already exciting. Mr. Ford has produced a massive volume full of newspaper and magazine clippings, journal entries from the subjects, and so much more. The cheapest I've seen a copy of this thing going for was $80US in bad condition. I've got through my library who borrowed it from another library. This book either needs a reprint, a digital edition, or someone needs to find me an affordable copy. Dammit.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read, 08/2022: This remains an essential document of the histories of both COUM and Throbbing Gristle, despite the fact that large amounts of the story are glossed over (conflicts within the band, especially) or not included.

an absolutely essential document of both coum transmissions and throbbing gristle. dense with detail and information.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly detailed, but ultimately a very business and factual oriented, rather than narrative focused text. I wish there were a broader focus on all the members of TG instead of plotting the central narrative around Genesis. It's still an outstanding book and highly comprehensive, just relatively high level.

[Jorge Batalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

No more thorough window into Throbbing Gristle and the surrounding cultural moment than Ford's beautifully written piece. I highly suggest anyone who starts here move on to "England's Hidden Reverse" right after.

[Vapor Trail · Rating 5 out of 5]

TG all the way.
If nothing else, read the part where Genesis & Cosey do their "Cease to Exist" performance piece in Los Angeles. Never has so much been done with so many bodily fluids...

[Piers Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although incredibly readable and a brilliant subject matter, the fact that the spine of this book is the voice of Genesis P-Orridge and not the other members that were around him made it quite infuriating.

Viva la HULL

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could include more personal anecdotes for purposes of holistic appreciation but I guess there's always Cosey's book for that, though it's apparently somewhat repetitious.

[Tom Conroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of info on here. But it's a tedious read. The writing style is really not very engaging

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot recommend highly enough.

[Eye Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this as an ebook at archive dot org. the last of three OOP music books that I wish I had bought and desperately wanted to read. it really is a shame that it is not in print.

biggest gripe is a good third of this book focuses on COUM, which is not necessarily w/o warrant but somewhat cumbersome when one really wants to get to Throbbing Gristle. And the specter of COUM continues to linger throughout.

if Cosey's book is 10 times better, this will remain to be seen--

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this when it first came out, which was a time when Throbbing Gristle seemed all but forgotten except to hardcore acolytes, shortly after the exile to California of P-Orridge following bogus scandals set up by the UK tabloids. It's the story of the birth of Throbbing Gristle, COUM Transmissions and the early manifestations such as The Prostitution Show at the ICA; and of the early work of the core artists - Chris Carter, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Peter Christopherson [of Hipgnosis] and Genesis P-Orridge. Filled with eccentric and anarchic anecdotes, it also discusses how Industrial Records came into being; the first collaborations, and COUM's influences from psychedelia and the occult. Very well researched. Nice pix and memorabilia. MP Nicholas Fairbairn described TG.."These people are the wreckers of civilisation" in Autumn 1976 when punk first started to enter the mainstream in the UK. Given their well-received recent comeback after a long hiatus on solo projects, it's a timely and very interesting reread.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was incredibly impressed with just how much information there was on COUM transmissions in here. This is THE primary source to get information on the group. It's sad that there is no online source to get such information, especially since I don't believe this book was ever released in America.

Ford does a good job of covering all bases, and transcribes multiple viewpoints of the same situation whenever there was a conflict of memory between the members. One wishes there was more documentation on COUM's antics but Ford scrapes together as much as he can. The book is very well illustrated with lots of photos of actions. However the main form of documentation always seems to come from Genesis' vivid descriptions.

If you interested in an obscure controversial performance art group this is a great way to start. A study of provocation, community, art, and how they can all be fit into life.

[SB Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly in-depth and, for the most part, chronological telling of the philosophical and artistic evolution of a group of artists who shaped underground culture for nearly 30 years.

This group--known as Coum and later as Throbbing Gristle--worked for years in a variety of media (including popular music) updating and popularizing magickal practice and thinking, confronting the hypocrisy of social convention, and expanding the boundaries of what is called art.

This book is probably the only place you will find an accurate and detailed account of the Coum/TG story, as the band themselves tend to rewrite their own history periodically. It is, after all, just another media/format to be manipulated and rereleased as artistic output.

[Kid · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exhaustive and inspiring study of Throbbing Gristle and Coum Transmissions that tries to avoid the hysteria that surrounded both projects when they were active. Also a cool exploration of what it means to attempt to live off a creative project and keep one going in a hostile environment. Anyone not familiar with these projects will still get a lot out of this book and will be amazed at what they produced when they produced it. You get a sense of the performance art scene in Europe in the late 60s, early 70s. . .

[Keiron · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lot more easier and less biased read than Cosey's book (when i tweeted to say i finally was happy to get a copy of this book, she got in touch over twitter to tell me her book is better!) with lots of interesting photos. If you want a more insightful read- i suggest Cosey's book. If you just want the formation/anecdotes/a whole extensive list of what gigs were played, pick this book. be advised though due to its rarity it does in its circles fetch a fair penny these days.

[Surfing Moose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well worth the read. I was always interested in Coum Transmission and what they were about. The depth of history on CM was great and enthralling.

At the beginning of the book Genesis P. Orridge is quoted as saying (paraphrasing here), An artist's life is usually more interesting their work. Not true with CM and TG. Both their lives and work are very interesting.

[Xander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important books that I have in my library. I read this book once a year for inspiration. The one band that I honestly never get sick of. All of the living members stay current within the avant garde and still remain on the cutting edge of art and music. I honestly couldn't recommend this book highly enough.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

an invaluable history of COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle. The pictures are great and some of them are not seen elsewhere. Another book that motivated me to "get out there and do something".

[Chris Herdt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book, but...

The incredible tale of COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle. Absolutely astounding larger-than-life story.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessive documentation about the history of the once great Throbbing Gristle.

[Nathanael Luke Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIMPLY AMAZING

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars with a bullet! If you're a Throbbing Gristle obsessive, this is just going to make it even harder to sleep at night. Great, exhaustive history of this great, exhausting band.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Throbbing Gristle/COUM bio, heavy on the praise.

[Ian]

Recommended

[Kevin Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say? They changed my life.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fascinating, painstakingly detailed account of Throbbing Gristle/Genesis P Orridge. Hard to find but worth the effort!