The PP of the Universe

[Forstater, Mathew]

the Plastic People's First Album, I think just called The Plastic People of the
Universe, released in the late 1970s, but some of which may have been from
earlier--even the sixties (I'm not absolutely sure about all this, from memory
of hazy times)--and which had a blackish darkish album sleeve, was a real
classic. Some of it reminded me then and now of Captain Beefheart, with jazzy
horn and woodwind over some driving bass and drums.  Then in the early 80s (I
believe) they came out with a purplish album that was not as inspiring
musically, but the most notable (and disappointing) aspect for me was that it
had strong christian messages to it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Pugliese [mailto:debsian at pacbell.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2001 11:43 PM
To: lbo
Subject: Re: Lou Reed Dead/Albright

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=Charter+77+Plastic+People+
of+the+Universe+Havel+&spell=1

Peter gave the outlines. V. Havel and other dissidents in Czechoslovakia
(from ex-Czech CP officials and intelligentsia,
progressive Christians, Trots at the time [blanking on his name, now he is
Czech rep. to OSCE, another Prague Spring neo-marxist, Karel Kovanda now
liases with NATO]) founded Charter
77, in 1977,  to agitate for the release of the avant "progressive
rock"/jazzish group, Plastic People of the Universe. They had been thrown in
prison. They played (still around, I saw them on tour) Zappa and Velvet
Underground songs and original tunes.
Michael Pugliese