Remembering Syd Barrett
Jan. 6, 1946-July 7, 2006
Posted July 5, 2016 by Floydian Slip
Pink Floyd’s 1969 album “Ummagumma” finds itself in an unusual place: a list of Top 10 New Insect Species for 2016.
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry has put the Sparklewing damselfly on its list at #10.
As a species of the genus “Umma,” it was easy enough for Klaas-Douwe Dijkstra to give it the species name of “gumma,” honoring a friend’s request from 16 years ago: “If you ever discover a new species of the genus Umma,” the companion suggested, “call it Ummagumma like the Pink Floyd album!”
The 2-inch-long Ummagumma is widespread on Central African rainforest streams, and, we assume, can also be found gathered together in caves grooving with picts.
Posted July 5, 2016 by Floydian Slip
Join us this week for Floydian Slip #1056:
“Floydian Slip” is heard across the more than 70 stations of our Random Precision Radio Network. Learn where and when to listen.
Posted July 4, 2016 by Floydian Slip
NSS of Derby, N.Y., has won our 6th Annual Surrogate Bands Pink Floyd Cover Contest.
The artist, a stage-name for Noel Stefan Stoyanoff, won with his recording of Floyd’s “Paranoid Eyes,” and receives $200 in Floyd merchandise from shop.pinkfloyd.com.
Noel describes himself as “a singer, songwriter, software and recording engineer, storyteller, producer, studio and live bassist for hire, DJ, cynic, music evangelist, music historian and collector.”
On his Facebook page, he thanked a number of people who contributed to the track and accompanying video (below): Jeffrey Shank, Robert Browning, Tim OConnell, Mike Criscione, Damon Tedesco, Ashley Jones and Richard Stamp.
Second prize, awarded by random drawing, went to Todd McKeague of Westfield, Mass.
Thanks to everyone who entered this year, and watch for our 7th annual contest coming in Spring 2017.
Posted July 4, 2016 by Floydian Slip
Posted June 29, 2016 by Floydian Slip
The original site of Pink Floyd’s Britannia Row studio in the Canonbury district of Islington, London, will become luxury housing.
The Islington Council Planning Committee approved the proposal last night with the condition that a certain portion of the 25,000-square-foot property remain as office and studio space.
Floyd built the studio in the mid-’70s and recorded the ’77 “Animals” album there, as well as parts of “The Wall” (1979). Students at the nearby Islington Green School provided the children’s chorus on “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.”
Britannia Row studio eventually became the property of Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who sold it in the mid-’90s before it was eventually relocated to its current address in Fulham, London.
Posted June 29, 2016 by Floydian Slip
Roger Waters has signed a publishing deal with BMG to represent his catalogue of Pink Floyd songs.
As a main songwriter with Floyd, many of the band’s most popular (i.e. profitable) songs fall under Waters’ jurisdiction: “Money,” “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” and “Comfortably Numb,” to name a few.
“We are honored that Roger Waters has chosen BMG, the youngest of the big international music companies, to represent his legendary and exquisite catalog,” says BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch. “To win the endorsement and trust of one of the world’s most successful songwriters is a significant milestone less than eight years after our launch.”
Waters added, “October last year I put on a gig called Music Heals with some wounded veterans in Washington D.C. BMG supported us. I’m very glad to be back in the same team.”
Waters’ Floyd catalogue was previously administered by Warner/Chappell.
Posted June 28, 2016 by Floydian Slip
Join us this week for Floydian Slip #1055: It’s our annual Surrogate Bands all-covers edition.
Hear the music of Pink Floyd performed by a variety of other artists … including the winner of our 6th Annual Surrogate Bands Pink Floyd Cover Contest.
“Floydian Slip” is heard across the more than 70 stations of our Random Precision Radio Network. Learn where and when to listen.
Posted June 27, 2016 by Floydian Slip
Posted June 24, 2016 by Floydian Slip
One fan who ponied up $500 for the so-called “super deluxe” boxset of “Roger Waters The Wall” got a surprise: Instead of being autographed by Waters, the 170-page hardcover book included with fan Jim Clarke‘s box reads “Love Jimmy Smith.”
Fans have put forth two theories to explain the anomaly: Either Waters grew tired of signing all 3,000 boxes and decided to play a prank. Or someone else was hired to sign on Waters’ behalf and experienced a momentary lapse of reason when he accidentally signed his own name.
Music publication NME has asked Waters’ camp for comment, but none are forthcoming just yet.
Either way, in the end, this botched box might end up being worth even more than if Waters had signed his own name to it.
Surrogate band indeed.