Kickstarter Projects of Note: Joe Meek, Stones Throw & Shirley Clarke

A Life In the Death of Joe Meek: Jimmy Page, Steve Howe & other rock/pop idols help chronicle the rise, fall & resurrection of recording pioneer Joe Meek. (Link)

Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton (This Is Stones Throw Records: A feature-length documentary about avant-garde Los Angeles-based Stones Throw Records, its culture and its enigmatic artists. (Link)

Portrait of Jason Film Restoration: Shirley Clarke's groundbreaking documentary film is in jeopardy - help us restore the print and release it for everyone to see! (Link)

Before & After - Just Like Eddie

Before - Heinz (1963)


After - Silicon Teens (1980)

Joe Meek demos now available

Here's something very special for you Joe Meek students out there, and it's free and legal to download. The good folks at the Free Music Archive (associated with WFMU), and the Comfort Stand label bring us this amazing and fascinating collection of Meek song demos. Check out all 26 tracks below or over at the Free Music Archive, and while you're there check out everything they have. It's a veritable digital treasure trove of free (and legal!) musical goodies.

"As these, er, remarkable songwriting demos show, Meek had a definite ear for a catchy tune. He could also create simple, clever turns of pop-song phrase. Unlike, say, Carole King or Burt Bacharach, Joe couldn't convey his songs in a clean, clear, easy-to-get manner." Continued here.

Screaming Lord Sutch documentary with Joe Meek

Anyone who can found a political party called The Official Monster Raving Loony Party is ok with me. Thanks to Bedazzled.

Telstar - the movie

Modculture.com brings us news of a Joe Meek biopic in the works, Telstar The Movie.



As they say over at Modculture: You really couldn't make up the story of maverick early 60s producer Joe Meek, so we expect his eventful life and career to make a pretty impressive flick when it hits the big screen as Telstar The Movie.

Yes, we expect the works - a rapid rise to fame, weird and wonderful 60s pop, London in its swinging infancy, madness, depression, bizarre studio equipment, heartbreak, paranoia, murder and suicide. We might even get some drug taking and a touch of the accult too.

A decent cast too, including Kevin Spacey, Con O'Neill, Pam Ferris, James Corden and Ralf Little, plus a top notch soundtrack obviously. Look out for it in cinemas from June 12th, enjoy the trailer below.

That'll be June 12th in the UK at least. Keep and eye for it. Looks like it might be fun.