All Gates Open: The Story of Can by Rob Young and Irmin Schmidt, translated by Rie Eguchi
ISBN:978-4-910511-88-7
The definitive, massive work
depicting every aspect of Can,
the superstars of Krautrock—finally published in a miracle translation!
Can, one of the most important experimental groups of the 20th century. Born in Cologne in 1968, this rock band was formed when two classically trained members, living within the unique political climate of postwar Germany, met one of the country's finest jazz drummers and invited a young rock musician who had been a student of theirs. Though it took 20 years for their influence to permeate the realm of pop, Can served as a direct source of inspiration for punk, post-punk, ambient, and electronica.
A biography written by the former editor-in-chief of 'The Wire,' based on extensive interviews with those involved and drawing on all available records from the UK, Germany, and France.
From the backdrop of the 60s German counter-culture and the fierce rebellion against a parent generation that had been pro-Nazi, to encounters with Terry Riley, La Monte Young, the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music, and Jon Hassell; the teachings and personality of Stockhausen; Irmin Schmidt's classical compositions prior to Can; detailed commentary on all of Can's works, including soundtracks recorded before they were officially known as Can; the band's financial situation at the time; an analysis of lyrics by Damo Suzuki and Malcolm Mooney; the cooperation of Stockhausen and others during Damo Suzuki's deportation crisis; whether Can used drugs; and the deaths of members—this is the most perfect "Story of Can" imaginable.
The second part of this book brings together musicians, artists, and comrades who respect Can to discuss the band and art with Irmin Schmidt. Participants include fellow comrade Wim Wenders, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, Geoff Barrow of Portishead, the late Mark E. Smith, Carsten Nicolai, Alec Empire, Peter Saville, John Malkovich, and more.
The long-awaited translation of the definitive volume, published in 2018 and hailed by The Guardian as "an intelligent book about an intelligent band." Includes many previously unpublished photographs.
A5 size / 480 pages
Table of Contents
Part 1: All Gates Open
1. The Dream of the Artificial Machine (Introduction)
2. Manifesto of Disorder
3. Necessity is the Mother of Invention
4. A Castle with Better Equipment
5. A Final Kick Towards Rock
6. Thieves of Fire
7. The Truth at 33rpm
8. Into the Deep
9. Witch-Level Surprises
10. Harmonizing Sounds
11. The Wanderer in the Fog
12. Perpetual Motion
13. A Precarious Landing
14. Wanting More
15. Artificial Head Stereo
16. Can Consumes Itself
17. The Final Ritual
18. The Future Spreads Out in the Distance
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Part 2: Can Related Musings
Cast of Characters
I. Hands on the Table
II. From My Notes
III. Neural Chains Strung Across the Landscape
IV. Film Music
V. Luberon
Index
[Profiles]
【Authors】
● Rob Young
Former editor-in-chief of 'Wire.' Author of many books, including 'Electric Eden,' a history of British folk music. Recently contributed to the autobiography of former Blur member Graham Coxon.
● Irmin Schmidt
Original member of Can and the only one still living. The second part of this book also contains Irmin Schmidt's diaries, essays, and musical theories.
【Original Book Editors】
● Max Dax + Robert Defcon
Max Dax is a journalist and art curator who served as editor-in-chief of 'Electronic Beats Magazine' and 'Spex.' Robert Defcon is a writer, artist, and musician. In 2005, they published 'No Beauty Without Danger,' an oral history of the band Einstürzende Neubauten. Both reside in Berlin.
Part 2 of 'All Gates Open: The Story of Can,' titled 'Can Related Musings,' is edited by Dax and Defcon and includes interviews between Irmin Schmidt and Dax.
