Billed as a "feast of obscure and neglected masterworks that together form a surprising but entirely credible new tradition" Julian Cope’s newest tome – and it is, most certainly, a tome – Copendium is its self a monolith fitting of his own interests in history and archaeology.
The book collates a collection of album reviews and themed track samplers that lays out an alternative history of the last six decades of popular music; undoubtedly a bold statement, but one not that is somehow less overblown when it comes from Cope.
In support of the release of Copendium, on the 1st of November, Faber Social presents a three-night tour with Julian Cope, featuring members of the Black Sheep, a different band each night, and film screening, opening in Glasgow’s mono on November 6th, on to the Ruby Lounge in Manchester on the 7th, finishing at Rough Trade in London on November 8th.
GLASGOW – mono – Tuesday 6th November, 7pm, £8
Julian Cope and Lee Brackstone, author and patron, discuss the worldview of his new book COPENDIUM, a feast of obscure and neglected masterworks which takes energy, originality and heaviness as its bearings. The Black Sheep’s Fido-X presents Tuesday Night/Wodensday Morning, further explorations in the style of the Black Sheep Radio Show. GNOD, the Manchester motherfuckers at full tilt, play a live set.
MANCHESTER – Ruby Lounge – Wednesday 7th November, 7.30pm £8
Julian Cope and Lee Brackstone, author and patron, discuss the worldview of his new book COPENDIUM, a feast of obscure and neglected masterworks which takes energy, originality and heaviness as its bearings. The Black Sheep’s De La O presents music from the 131 Soundtrack, a sneak preview of the musical soundtrack of Julian Cope’s forthcoming novel ‘131’. Slomo play a live set of peak ambient doom from the Pennines.
LONDON – Rough Trade East – Thursday 8th November, 7pm £8
Julian Cope and Lee Brackstone, author and patron, discuss the worldview of his new book COPENDIUM, a feast of obscure and neglected masterworks which takes energy, originality and heaviness as its bearings. The Black Sheep’s Fat Paul presents Blakk Metal, a half-hour set in the inimitable style of Fat Paul’s recent album for Fuck Off & Di. Workin’ Man Noise Unit – Reading’s hardest-working combo – play a live set of tinnitus-inducing tantrum rock.
Each night Julian will return to present Copendium as revealed through YouTube, concluding with a screening of Fido’s Blues – which Jon Savage described as ‘awesome’, upon viewing this highly disorientating Black Sheep road movie.
Copendium is released by Faber & Faber on the 1st of November
