It began with The Beatles Helter Skelter. It was distilled to its dark essence by Black Sabbath. And it has flourished into a vibrant modern underground, epitomized by Newcastles Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. This is the evolution of heavy music.
The voyage is as varied as it is illuminating: from the lysergic blunt trauma of Blue Cheer to the locked grooves of Funkadelic, the aural frightmares of Faust to the tectonic crush of Sleep, alighting on post-punk, industrial, grunge, stoner rock and numerous other genres along the way.
Ranging from household names to obscure cult heroes and heroines, Electric Wizards demonstrates how each successive phase of heavy music was forged by what came before, outlining a rich and eclectic lineage that extends far beyond the usual boundaries of heavy rock or heavy metal. It extols those who did things differently, who introduced something fresh and exciting into this elemental tradition, whether by design, accident or sheer chance. In doing so, Electric Wizards weaves an entirely new tapestry of heavy music.
The voyage is as varied as it is illuminating: from the lysergic blunt trauma of Blue Cheer to the locked grooves of Funkadelic, the aural frightmares of Faust to the tectonic crush of Sleep, alighting on post-punk, industrial, grunge, stoner rock and numerous other genres along the way.
Ranging from household names to obscure cult heroes and heroines, Electric Wizards demonstrates how each successive phase of heavy music was forged by what came before, outlining a rich and eclectic lineage that extends far beyond the usual boundaries of heavy rock or heavy metal. It extols those who did things differently, who introduced something fresh and exciting into this elemental tradition, whether by design, accident or sheer chance. In doing so, Electric Wizards weaves an entirely new tapestry of heavy music.
Simultaneously hilarious, provocative and sensitive; wildly entertaining while always getting to the heart of the matter . . . Just take my goddamned bitcoin already.', John Doran, The Quietus
'The landscape of heavy music is vast, its existence is ever evolving. There is no better person to explore its dynamic terrain than JR Moores.', Matt Baty, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
'JR Moores covers a rich landscape of sounds . . .
Whats more, he achieves a rare feat in rock criticism of saying something fresh and interesting about The Beatles.', Dan Franklin, author of HEAVY: How Metal Changes the Way We See the World
'This book will open a wormhole in your brain.', Joe Thompson, Hey Colossus
'A depth-charge exploration to the bloodied heart of heavy. Essential, energetic writing JR Moores is the netherworld guide we always needed.', Harry Sword, author of Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion
'An enthrallingly funny read, and one thats hard to put down despite its girth.', Record Collector
''Electric Wizards' is a superbly written book about what JR Moores calls heavy music. Not heavy metal, heavy music, which he persuasively and wittily argues includes musical artists as diverse as, for instance, Black Sabbath, Babes in Toyland, Funkadelic and all kinds of bands and singers in between . . . Fed up with the bland musical fare offered up by radio and music tv this is the book for you, and once you hear doors slamming and the neighbours banging on your walls you pretty much know youre in the presence of heavy music - just make sure JR Moores is there to guide you.', The Crack
'As a compendium of leap-off points, 'Electric Wizards' is a mind-riot . . . Heavy music has deserved its own tome but the only thing heavy about his book is its weight its tone and style are illuminatingly light and wonderfully convivial throughout. Someone get 'Electric Wizards' on the national music curriculum now.', Neil Kulkarni, The Wir
'The landscape of heavy music is vast, its existence is ever evolving. There is no better person to explore its dynamic terrain than JR Moores.', Matt Baty, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
'JR Moores covers a rich landscape of sounds . . .
Whats more, he achieves a rare feat in rock criticism of saying something fresh and interesting about The Beatles.', Dan Franklin, author of HEAVY: How Metal Changes the Way We See the World
'This book will open a wormhole in your brain.', Joe Thompson, Hey Colossus
'A depth-charge exploration to the bloodied heart of heavy. Essential, energetic writing JR Moores is the netherworld guide we always needed.', Harry Sword, author of Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion
'An enthrallingly funny read, and one thats hard to put down despite its girth.', Record Collector
''Electric Wizards' is a superbly written book about what JR Moores calls heavy music. Not heavy metal, heavy music, which he persuasively and wittily argues includes musical artists as diverse as, for instance, Black Sabbath, Babes in Toyland, Funkadelic and all kinds of bands and singers in between . . . Fed up with the bland musical fare offered up by radio and music tv this is the book for you, and once you hear doors slamming and the neighbours banging on your walls you pretty much know youre in the presence of heavy music - just make sure JR Moores is there to guide you.', The Crack
'As a compendium of leap-off points, 'Electric Wizards' is a mind-riot . . . Heavy music has deserved its own tome but the only thing heavy about his book is its weight its tone and style are illuminatingly light and wonderfully convivial throughout. Someone get 'Electric Wizards' on the national music curriculum now.', Neil Kulkarni, The Wir