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When Does the Mind-Bending Start?: The Life and Times of World of Twist
A Times Book of the Year
'Most underrated group? World of Twist.' - LIAM GALLAGHER
'They're a top band. No one could do what World of Twist do, except World of Twist.' - NOEL GALLAGHER
'They were such a special band, such a moment in time, and Gordon has written such a special book.' - JON RONSON
World of the greatest lost band of all time.
While fame, glory and untold riches seemed like an inevitability for World of Twist at the turn of the '90s, the universe was simply not ready for a group of retro futurists, psychedelic adventurers and cosmic tunesmiths.
Too late for Madchester, too early for Britpop and too much fun to pigeonhole, the band went on to face a demoralising string of near-misses and 'what could have been's, ultimately falling apart in a medley of incompatible drugs, musical contretemps, sartorial differences and all-round shoulder-shrugging apathy.
But they burned bright and left an indelible mark on everyone who looked deep into their light...
Now, in When Does the Mind-Bending Start?, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter Gordon King tells the incredible inside story of his time with World of Twist, revealing the jealousy, anguish and personal demons experienced by the clashing personalities of King and the band's late singer, Tony Ogden.
This is a memoir of tragedy and triumph, comedy and drama, demise and recovery.
'Most underrated group? World of Twist.' - LIAM GALLAGHER
'They're a top band. No one could do what World of Twist do, except World of Twist.' - NOEL GALLAGHER
'They were such a special band, such a moment in time, and Gordon has written such a special book.' - JON RONSON
World of the greatest lost band of all time.
While fame, glory and untold riches seemed like an inevitability for World of Twist at the turn of the '90s, the universe was simply not ready for a group of retro futurists, psychedelic adventurers and cosmic tunesmiths.
Too late for Madchester, too early for Britpop and too much fun to pigeonhole, the band went on to face a demoralising string of near-misses and 'what could have been's, ultimately falling apart in a medley of incompatible drugs, musical contretemps, sartorial differences and all-round shoulder-shrugging apathy.
But they burned bright and left an indelible mark on everyone who looked deep into their light...
Now, in When Does the Mind-Bending Start?, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter Gordon King tells the incredible inside story of his time with World of Twist, revealing the jealousy, anguish and personal demons experienced by the clashing personalities of King and the band's late singer, Tony Ogden.
This is a memoir of tragedy and triumph, comedy and drama, demise and recovery.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 2, 2024
I read somewhere that you can truly appreciate music that's new to you at any point of your life but that it will never resonate with you quite the way it does when you're, say, between fourteen and seventeen years old. Might've been something Bob Stanley wrote, come to think of it. It's a view I generally ascribe to. World of Twist were the exception, though, for me.
I was 36 years old when I downloaded (sorry) a copy of Quality Street, which I listened to whilst visiting and exploring Taiwan -- where my sister was then enrolled in school. The fact that I'd only recently been released from a psychiatric ward definitely had something to do with my broken mental and emotional states -- but it was on that trip that I felt a bit like I was coming back to life. Long walks in an unfamiliar country, a language I couldn't understand, the scent of Formosan Cypress, and yes, the music of the World of Twist, all seemed to re-awaken synapses that drugs and heartbreak had snuffed.
When Quality Street was re-issued in 2013, I bought a copy. I played it to death (not literally). In 2014, I wrote a post about them for for my One Album Wonders column on Amoeba Music's blog. I downloaded all of Tony Ogden's Bubblegum Secret Pop Explosion demos -- which are really great despite Ogden's clearly diminished vocal strength (which was never World of Twist's greatest strength). He was clearly a musical genius. I wrote another post, on the ten year anniversary of his death, in 2016. I even struck up an email correspondence with Ogden's friend and creative collaborator, John West, who struck me as almost painfully humble.
I was surprised when I learned that Gordon King had written this book. King proves to be a witty and evocative writer. He has an amazing memory for details. He confirms that he has a great understanding of what pop music is all about -- and that being popular isn't necessarily part of it -- although I'm sure that he wished that World of Twist had reached more people. King is a rather hard on himself, the band's live performances, and Quality Street. I'm sure there were sound issues -- when are there not? And Quality Street isn't perfect -- but far from the disasters it's latterly often made out to be. I think a lot of its diminished reputation is down to the music press having turned on anything even remotely Madchester in favor of the more conventional London-centered derivative -- Britpop -- which was, for the most part, a bunch of bands that sounded like Grand Funk Railroad.
King's passages about Tony Ogden reveal a distance that, although sad, I was glad to see recounted so honestly. I loved Anton Corbijn's Control, in part, because it didn't try to project or peer inside the mind of its protaganist, Ian Curtis -- and similarly, neither does King with Ogden. Ogden ultimately remains unknowable despite King's and the readers speculations.
That Ogden died young and with his genius relatively unappreciated suffuses the book with an expected bitter-sweetness. On the other hand, it's tempered by the fact that this book exists at all and is as fully and well fleshed out as it is. Every One Album Wonder should be so lucky.
We miss the World of Twist!
I was 36 years old when I downloaded (sorry) a copy of Quality Street, which I listened to whilst visiting and exploring Taiwan -- where my sister was then enrolled in school. The fact that I'd only recently been released from a psychiatric ward definitely had something to do with my broken mental and emotional states -- but it was on that trip that I felt a bit like I was coming back to life. Long walks in an unfamiliar country, a language I couldn't understand, the scent of Formosan Cypress, and yes, the music of the World of Twist, all seemed to re-awaken synapses that drugs and heartbreak had snuffed.
When Quality Street was re-issued in 2013, I bought a copy. I played it to death (not literally). In 2014, I wrote a post about them for for my One Album Wonders column on Amoeba Music's blog. I downloaded all of Tony Ogden's Bubblegum Secret Pop Explosion demos -- which are really great despite Ogden's clearly diminished vocal strength (which was never World of Twist's greatest strength). He was clearly a musical genius. I wrote another post, on the ten year anniversary of his death, in 2016. I even struck up an email correspondence with Ogden's friend and creative collaborator, John West, who struck me as almost painfully humble.
I was surprised when I learned that Gordon King had written this book. King proves to be a witty and evocative writer. He has an amazing memory for details. He confirms that he has a great understanding of what pop music is all about -- and that being popular isn't necessarily part of it -- although I'm sure that he wished that World of Twist had reached more people. King is a rather hard on himself, the band's live performances, and Quality Street. I'm sure there were sound issues -- when are there not? And Quality Street isn't perfect -- but far from the disasters it's latterly often made out to be. I think a lot of its diminished reputation is down to the music press having turned on anything even remotely Madchester in favor of the more conventional London-centered derivative -- Britpop -- which was, for the most part, a bunch of bands that sounded like Grand Funk Railroad.
King's passages about Tony Ogden reveal a distance that, although sad, I was glad to see recounted so honestly. I loved Anton Corbijn's Control, in part, because it didn't try to project or peer inside the mind of its protaganist, Ian Curtis -- and similarly, neither does King with Ogden. Ogden ultimately remains unknowable despite King's and the readers speculations.
That Ogden died young and with his genius relatively unappreciated suffuses the book with an expected bitter-sweetness. On the other hand, it's tempered by the fact that this book exists at all and is as fully and well fleshed out as it is. Every One Album Wonder should be so lucky.
We miss the World of Twist!
October 2, 2022
It's taken me a month to write this review because I wanted it to be a good one and I also need time to reflect on the book...
Firstly, probably best to point out that World of Twist were "my" band. Growing up in Stockport in the late-80s/early-90s their connection with the local area, the fact that some friends of friends knew members of the band, and the fact that they were 'new' and 'different' from the Madchester baggy that I only just missed out on, meant they were special to me - they still are.
There are numerous points in the book where Gordon King mentions that, "had I been a 14/15 year old in the crowd, I'd have thought World of Twist were ace". I *was* that kid in The Ritz, The Leadmill and The Academy whilst the star burned bright.
The story traces Gordon King's rise to rock God (in my head) from Stockport to Sheffield to Northampton to Stockport and then to Brighton. It tells of musical influence and the mundanity of suburban life when all you want to do is listen to music and play it terrifically well. It tells of hardship and friendship on the periphery of the music business with a wit and frankness which is *so* refreshing. It's also helped by the author's encyclopedic knowledge and remembrance of the songs that accompanied the journey as this provides a 'soundtrack' to the book which really enhances the narrative.
(As an aside, I *did* try to create a playlist to go alongside the book as I read but got so engrossed I read too quickly to keep stopping to add a song to Spotify). (I may complete this task at a later date).
King weaves a story here which, on the outside, should be a regretful one of 'nearly men' who just missed out. It's NOT that story though. It's the story of a band who were amazing, who sounded fantastic, who wanted to be different, who *where* different, but who, despite it all, just, y'know, didn't quite work out. The story is NOT one of 'what ifs' and 'what might have been', it's one of 'what happened' and its much the richer for it.
It's also the story - a love letter in many ways - to Tony Ogden. Lead singer extraordinaire. Whirlwind. The genius and madness is clear. The sadness at his death is also here alongside the most poignant passages of the book which wistfully reflect on a friendship and collaboration interrupted and lost.
For anyone who loved World of Twist this is worth reading for the inside story. I was disappointed to read that the 'legendary' gig at The Ritz - tin foil and all - was not so well remembered by King and the band or that the recording and mixing of the album was so disappointing. My teenage (and now middle-aged) ears can't hear the flaws - even though I agree the "album doesn't get any louder no matter how much you turn the volume up".
Erm...what else. It's a super book. Gordon King is dead sound. Buy it. Read it. Listen to the super songs. It's fab.
Firstly, probably best to point out that World of Twist were "my" band. Growing up in Stockport in the late-80s/early-90s their connection with the local area, the fact that some friends of friends knew members of the band, and the fact that they were 'new' and 'different' from the Madchester baggy that I only just missed out on, meant they were special to me - they still are.
There are numerous points in the book where Gordon King mentions that, "had I been a 14/15 year old in the crowd, I'd have thought World of Twist were ace". I *was* that kid in The Ritz, The Leadmill and The Academy whilst the star burned bright.
The story traces Gordon King's rise to rock God (in my head) from Stockport to Sheffield to Northampton to Stockport and then to Brighton. It tells of musical influence and the mundanity of suburban life when all you want to do is listen to music and play it terrifically well. It tells of hardship and friendship on the periphery of the music business with a wit and frankness which is *so* refreshing. It's also helped by the author's encyclopedic knowledge and remembrance of the songs that accompanied the journey as this provides a 'soundtrack' to the book which really enhances the narrative.
(As an aside, I *did* try to create a playlist to go alongside the book as I read but got so engrossed I read too quickly to keep stopping to add a song to Spotify). (I may complete this task at a later date).
King weaves a story here which, on the outside, should be a regretful one of 'nearly men' who just missed out. It's NOT that story though. It's the story of a band who were amazing, who sounded fantastic, who wanted to be different, who *where* different, but who, despite it all, just, y'know, didn't quite work out. The story is NOT one of 'what ifs' and 'what might have been', it's one of 'what happened' and its much the richer for it.
It's also the story - a love letter in many ways - to Tony Ogden. Lead singer extraordinaire. Whirlwind. The genius and madness is clear. The sadness at his death is also here alongside the most poignant passages of the book which wistfully reflect on a friendship and collaboration interrupted and lost.
For anyone who loved World of Twist this is worth reading for the inside story. I was disappointed to read that the 'legendary' gig at The Ritz - tin foil and all - was not so well remembered by King and the band or that the recording and mixing of the album was so disappointing. My teenage (and now middle-aged) ears can't hear the flaws - even though I agree the "album doesn't get any louder no matter how much you turn the volume up".
Erm...what else. It's a super book. Gordon King is dead sound. Buy it. Read it. Listen to the super songs. It's fab.
January 12, 2025
I enjoyed World of Twist when they were a going concern and so was intrigued to read this insider account from the band's guitarist. It's a great read. World of Twist's creative vision never really connected with the wider public yet their posthumous reputation continues to grow.
Gordon King is a good writer and has some great memories to impart, and let's face it, tales of glorious failure and music from the maverick margins, are far more interesting and entertaining than those by people who scale the summit of mount pop.
Well worth reading.
4/5
While fame, glory and untold riches seemed like an inevitability for World of Twist at the turn of the '90s, the universe was simply not ready for a group of retro futurists, psychedelic adventurers and cosmic tunesmiths.
Too late for Madchester, too early for Britpop and too much fun to pigeonhole, the band went on to face a demoralising string of near-misses and 'what could have been's, ultimately falling apart in a medley of incompatible drugs, musical contretemps, sartorial differences and all-round shoulder-shrugging apathy.
But they burned bright and left an indelible mark on everyone who looked deep into their light...
Now, in When Does the Mind-Bending Start?, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter Gordon King tells the incredible inside story of his time with World of Twist, revealing the jealousy, anguish and personal demons experienced by the clashing personalities of King and the band's late singer, Tony Ogden.
This is a memoir of tragedy and triumph, comedy and drama, demise and recovery.
Gordon King is a good writer and has some great memories to impart, and let's face it, tales of glorious failure and music from the maverick margins, are far more interesting and entertaining than those by people who scale the summit of mount pop.
Well worth reading.
4/5
While fame, glory and untold riches seemed like an inevitability for World of Twist at the turn of the '90s, the universe was simply not ready for a group of retro futurists, psychedelic adventurers and cosmic tunesmiths.
Too late for Madchester, too early for Britpop and too much fun to pigeonhole, the band went on to face a demoralising string of near-misses and 'what could have been's, ultimately falling apart in a medley of incompatible drugs, musical contretemps, sartorial differences and all-round shoulder-shrugging apathy.
But they burned bright and left an indelible mark on everyone who looked deep into their light...
Now, in When Does the Mind-Bending Start?, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter Gordon King tells the incredible inside story of his time with World of Twist, revealing the jealousy, anguish and personal demons experienced by the clashing personalities of King and the band's late singer, Tony Ogden.
This is a memoir of tragedy and triumph, comedy and drama, demise and recovery.
January 31, 2024
The Sheffield bit - that was my 80s too: the Limit, the Leadmill, Penny's, Barry Noble's Roxy. Can't remember if I ever went to Wigwam nights at Mona Lisa's. Hope I did. Loved this. Maybe the greatest book on pop ever written. Certainly the best book on pop ever written by a ex member of World of Twist. Also it drove me back to listening to Clock DVA's Thirst again for the first time in 40 yrs...
January 2, 2025
Gordon’s narration was very easy on the ear. It was fascinating to hear about the ups and downs of a band that were nearly on the cusp of success but blew their opportunity thanks to wilful self-sabotage and poor record company decisions.
January 2, 2023
Audiobook - interesting history of one of the great lost bands.
January 18, 2026
Listened to the audiobook read by Gordon - it’s brilliant
October 25, 2022
I loved this book. I didn’t like or maybe didn’t ‘get’ World of Twist so much. Gordon King goes somewhere close to vindicating my lack of support for his group. He is as self deprecating as he is totally convinced of their genius, at least until the cracks appeared. As a snapshot of what was going on in and around Manchester and Sheffield in the early 90’s the book was spot on. Maybe I’ll give WoT another shot, maybe.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews