Medical Grade Music (original) (raw)
553 reviews132 followers
Well, this is a first. Finally a book that bucks the trend of starting out as a 5* job before gradually sliding down to a 3 by the time its completed.
Initially I was not impressed by the writing quality, especially the Steve Davis sections but was soon won over by their sheer enthusiasm for the music they love so much and musicians that have inspired them.
Steve Davis's transition from world champion sportsman to left-field DJ and then on to actually playing with the Utopia Strong is incredible. Not just playing along but contributing in an improvisational trio. All credit to the man.
610 reviews
I had been contemplating buying this book but it was the appearance of Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi on Sunday Brunch (a programme I generally avoid tbh) that gave me the impetus to actually purchase it. Steve Davis is wonderfully irreverent at times and shows a good knowledge of music and not just in the prog rock genre, whilst Kavus Torabi just bleeds music which is his life.
The layout is chronological, starting with the first chapter by Steve Davis, the second by Kavus Torabi, third Steve Davis then, well you get the picture. A few chapters has them both making contributions. Sounds potentially dull however it is far from boring whilst interesting is an understatement. Thanks to them both (said through gritted teeth) I have a number of bands and albums i need to check out, when I have the spare cash.
You are drawn into their world from the first page and my interest did not wane. Kavus speaks about Cardiacs' Garage concerts of which we had tickets for the first two of three. Due to a family funeral we never made the first gig but did get to the second to experience the best ever rendition of Dirty Boy, which can be found on YouTube. Watch it. It still moves me to tears.
Did I enjoy Medical Grade Music? What do you think?
82 reviews
Ex-snooker player meets touring musician and ex-Gong member (amongst other groups) and hosts a show on Phoenix FM before creating a new band themselves. Thanks for 1) pointing me at more music than I'll ever be able to listen to 2) telling me about a show which I'd have loved to listen to (but at least there's a wealth of archived shows online) 3) reminding me of the Henry Cow LP someone lent me at school in my teenage years and I never got round to hearing again - until now! P.S. Please bring The Utopia Strong to Malvern in Worcestershire.
38 reviews4 followers
To preface my review with a personal disclaimer: I feel I very much fit the niche demographic of this book. It's written by two people whom I've had the privilege to befriend over the past six years. The chapter list reads like an insight into my own personal music collection and the content reflects my own transition from music fan to musician. I'll try to maintain objectivity where I can, but I make no promises.
First and foremost: Medical Grade Music is a book written primarily and passionately about music, packed with care, consideration, wit, wisdom, emotional investment and attention to detail. Each chapter bears the title of a musical group or artist who appears in some scale or degree throughout the corresponding chapter, generally acting as a pebble in the pond from which the book's more autobiographical elements ripple outwards. These artists range from French Zeuhl legends Magma to underground British electronic maestro The Gasman, and of course to the band(s) our writers themselves have been involved with. If these are names you haven't heard before, prepare for a crash course in the interesting alternative.
Structurally, we have two timelines operating at entirely different meters, ultimately synchronising in a fittingly Reichian manner. Kavus' chapters flow as you might expect of a musician's autobiography - a chronology of musical endeavours punctuating a thoroughly colourful lifetime of creativity, relationships, friendships, a sizeable portion of hedonism and a healthy helping of happenstance. Having already published an autobiography called 'Interesting', Steve's chapters are more of a reflection on what he calls his 'second life' - a collection of events that naturally led towards music taking central stage in a life more famously known for something completely unrelated.
Both accounts detail the respective authors' enthusiasm for organised sound, but follow wildly different trajectories and bear notably different tones; Kavus is self-critical, occasionally reconciliatory and, whilst having generally aligned with the free spirits, is ultimately goal-driven, bursting with vision, focus and capability. Steve, on the other hand, speaks lightly with the joie de vivre of a man born anew as he voyages into what he previously considered an untouchable plane; although not without his own reflections of times, relationships and lives now gone by, Steve is perhaps more keen to look to the future as Kavus accounts for the past. Having found each other, however, their perspectives align in an inspiring appreciation of the present.
One aspect of the book I found particularly enticing was the contrasting musical self-analysis of our pop-pickers. Kavus isn't afraid to don his theory hat, enthusing about the magical qualities of the Lydian mode, intertwining polyrhythms and odd time signatures (all close to my own heart so personally electrifying to read about). On the other hand, Steve talks about his initial forays, misgivings, developing live experiences and steep learning curve of his 'second life' as a musician after 60-odd years as a music fan. The characterful writing of each narrator avoids the potential for these sections to lose a non-musician; instead we are gifted with engaging and valuable exploratory insights into their creative psyches, compositional approaches, artistic visions, pools of inspiration, and ruminations on the nature of live performance and the moments which surround it.
Eventually, Tim Smith of Cardiacs naturally takes the spotlight. It's hard to imagine that this book's readership would lack even basic awareness of Tim and the effect his music (indeed his mere presence) has had on countless lives, crucially that of Kavus. Perhaps said uninformed reader is here for snooker rather than music; this will only present an issue insomuch as the rest of the book is almost entirely music-focused, so you may have already abandoned the cause for its apparent lack of positional techniques or baulk cushion safety tactics. The ultimate tragedy of Tim's tale is handled with a quiet yet heart-wrenching tenderness, balanced with both the adulation and positivity that such a brightly shining star clearly deserved, as well as a loving observation of his flaws.
The book ends with an afterword which roundly accounts for the infectious friendship Steve and Kavus have developed, culminating of course in The Utopia Strong (yes, of Sunday Brunch fame). Written during the uncertain times of 2020, there is an air of speculation, but this is overshadowed by an eagerness to return to the lives they - indeed, everyone - long to experience once again. It's a book I honestly didn't want to end; each chapter felt like a treat I would reward myself with at the end of a day well-lived - appropriately, perhaps, as time is clearly a precious commodity to the authors. More than a musical journal, Medical Grade Music is a book so full of appreciation for life itself that simply reading it makes it worth living in those small hours of the evening.
357 reviews2 followers
Hugely enjoyable. I haven't heard most of the music discussed but that doesn't really matter. Lots of notes for further exploration though Essentially this is an account of two pals who are passionate about music
An interesting dive into the personally significant bands of both Steve and Kavus. Not only did this provide an eclectic list of new music for me to check out, but it was also an entertaining, and sometimes emotional read (or listen in my case). Thoroughly recommended to any music lover. 5/5
17 reviews3 followers
Starts of great but gets increasingly dull. I gave up on the chapter about YouTube tutorials on how to play modular synths...
64 reviews12 followers
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Fantastic fun. This is a kind of dual-narrative autobiography about how the authors came to meet and start making music together. As such, it probably helps to have an interest in one, or both, of Steve and Kavus. I came into this from the Steve-Davis-snooker-legend angle. I knew that Steve was into prog-rock and modular synths from various bits of media coverage but I wasn't familiar with the duo's music (with bandmate Michael York) as The Utopia Strong. While I probably can't call myself a 'head', as the authors describe their particular kind of passionate music fan, I like enough left-field music to know that I should enjoy this journey.
And, Lo!, what a delight it was to find, alongside the entertaining biographical journey, a shedload of wonderful music recommendations. I grew up listening to my dad's King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, etc, records but I had no more than a passing familiarity with the more unconventional prog of the Canterbury scene, krautrock, never mind zeuhl! In my own later years I got into the weirder side of electronic music but the sheer size of that 'genre' means that there's always more gold to be unearthed. Both Steve and Kavus are passionate proselytisers for these sorts of psychedelic sounds and I'm pleased to say that, if I wasn't already, I'm now fully converted. (The back catalogue of the pair's 'Interesting Alternative Show' on Phoenix FM is a godsend.)
Highlights, for me, included Steve's own starstruck moment at bumping into Rob from Autechre at a party and the story of how Kavus ended up joining Gong. I must also add that listening to the audiobook, read by both authors, was a further delight: they both come across as eager, excitable, and a great laugh.
158 reviews9 followers
I got this a while ago as I was intrigued by the notion of Steve Davis, ex-Snooker player, teaming up with his music mad pal, Kavus Torabi, to write a book all about unusual bands, mainly rock orientated. I already knew that the two of them had formed a band together called The Utopia Strong, as I have the album (good listen!). I also knew that Steve was a big fan of weird bands, especially the French band Magma, who are worth checking out if you like operatic jazzy hybrids, and so I was eager to see what else they were into, and wanted to discover more about their musical journey together.
The book is written in a collaborative manner, so Steve will write a chapter about the prog band Gentle Giant, and Kavus will write one about the metal colossus Voivod, for instance, which gives the reader a nice variety of narrative style throughout the book, which really keeps it fresh.
I enjoyed seeing which bands I'd heard of and then finding out which albums they liked, to see if they matched up with some of my favourites by a particular group, and also discovering stuff I'd not heard before like The Monsoon Bassoon. They both write with a lot of enthusiasm, and it's clear they are real hardcore weird music fans- they even have their own radio show together on Phoenix Fm- and it becomes addictive reading if you also have that urge to seek out unusual music, that the mainstream eschews for its usual bland outpourings of dirge.
Steve doesn't bother going over his illustrious snooker career (six time world champion) as it's not applicable to this book, and fans of his already know what he's done in his sport, and so he regales us instead with his journey from prog rock lover, veering over to soul music for a while, his Magma obsession, and then getting into modular synthesiser stuff, which led to his band with Kavus and Mike York- The Utopia Strong.
Kavus guides us through his very eclectic tastes from pop, to thrash metal, classic heavy metal, prog rock, jazz, modern classical and plenty more, and shows how dedicated he's been over the years, scraping by financially for decades, doing painter decorator work and ditch digging on the side, to keep living the dream of being a creative force in the underground music scene. He tells of playing free festivals, high on LSD, creating bands with school friends, band break-ups, getting signed and reviewed in the NME, but still hardly making any money, joining his idol Tim Smith's band, Cardiacs, DJing at Glastonbury with Steve Davis, and a whole load of other adventures...
This book will be perfect for people who are fans of Steve and Kavus already, and who like odd, challenging, but very rewarding music, but it will equally impress and entertain anyone who is curious about exploring music you wouldn't hear in the mainstream world...it's also just a damned enjoyable read generally, so maybe give it a go, as it's certainly a bit different!
93 reviews
This is a book I'd wanted to read ever since I saw the pre-publication announcement: what could be more interesting (!), a book from legendary snooker player Steve Davis and renowned guitarist, musician and songwriter Kavus Torabi, member of the bands Cardiacs, Knifeworld and Gong, amongst others.
Many people don't probably realise that Steve has a second career as a DJ and member of the band The Utopia Strong with Kavus and Michael York, though he always was a huge music fan - a veritable 'crate digger' for soul, R'n'B and rare groove - back when he was a world champion snooker player.
Nowadays Steve and Kavus' musical tastes centre on a shared love of French band Magma's music and all the music you might imagine that Magma would lead to in the genres of prog, RIO, electronica, leftfield, modern classical, free jazz, and the experimental. We have overlapping musical tastes and - as in all the best music books - there is much new music I've discovered and have yet to listen to, the discovery supported by separate top 50 album lists selected by each of them.
The book is part autobiography with the chapters alternating between Kavus and Steve and so it's not all about music, but sets the scene for their respective musical journeys and their meeting at a Magma gig in Paris in 2006. Kavus' journey was musical from his teenage years in Plymouth through to his membership of legendary band Cardiacs and the time spent playing guitar with Daevid Allen of Gong, before Allen asked Kavus to lead Gong after his death. Steve's journey followed a rather different path, as many of you will know.
Whilst the musical journeys are especially interesting to a fanatic like me, the bits where life intervenes, most especially after Tim Smith (of Cardiacs) ironically suffers cardiac arrest and Kavus visits him through the resulting chronic illness (dystonia) which leads ultimately to Tim's death from a heart attack in 2020.
Above all else, the book tells the story of a wonderfully unlikely friendship, which is told with warmth, humour and love. If you read this book, you'll never think of Steve as Steve 'Interesting' Davis ironically again.
All that being said, the book isn't for everyone! No one puts it better than Barry Hearn, sports promoter and Steve's former manager: "I couldn't get past the intro". High praise indeed. It's a brilliant book - read it!
249 reviews31 followers
Such a fun book! While my music tastes are somewhat different (never will be into metal) I still thoughly enjoyed the descriptions of what their favorite bands and musicians meant to them. And some of the bands I am now listening to and really enjoy: Magma, Henry Cow, their band The Utopia Strong, and Kavus Torabi's solo work too. Both write and narrate their stories in a fun (and funny) off the cuff way, that is nevertheless full of self-reflection and a decided lack of hybris. Anyone into music (especially of the prog rock and post-punk variety) will enjoy this one for sure. Thank you Roberto for telling me/us about this book!
401 reviews1 follower
Including a chapter on the Manband meant I was certain to investigate this book. Steve Davis's journey from the green baize to the DJ decks at Glastonbury was also intriguing.
It's a wonderful read and a journey through lots of music and bands that I'm not very familiar with, but this is likely to change over time.
Essentially a dual narrative from Steve and Kavus that takes you up to the almost present day there's a lot of great stories along the way. And a hugely bittersweet conclusion that had me in bits.
8 reviews
A magnificent ride out into the hinterlands of exceptional and none mainstream music with two committed ‘heads’. I’ve discovers a dozen new points of interest and have been touched by their emotional personal journeys from niche to outsider. A must read for anyone who really cares about originality & artistry.
68 reviews
Informative and entertaining, this is a journey into two very different musical minds. Via a few bands I’d heard of and loads I hadn’t it charts the course of a friendship built on a mutual love of music and life. Mr Davis is by turns hilarious, geeky and charming while Mr Torabi has clearly made more records and consumed more psychedelics than most of the rest of us put together.
Excellent read - both entertaining and highly informative. I was alerted to this book by the fabulous Louder Than War site. I had thought my taste in music was eclectic and extensive. But it seems I was wrong. I learnt about a heap of great music through this book, plus it's a great story and well written. Recommended
33 reviews
I read a lot of music biographies. This has to be one of the most inspiring. As someone who aspires to make music at a late age I can relate to Steve Davis; as someone who has devoted his whole life to music, Kavus Torabi has a great tale to tell.
Thoroughly recommended to anyone who likes music to the point of obsession.
6 reviews
Excellent and entertaining read from both authors especially if you’re into music that isn’t considered main stream. I’ve already started to listen to many of the artists mentioned and hopefully will discover more great medical grade music
156 reviews4 followers
Really two books and stories running concurrently. No less enjoyable for it. A great doorway into the “progier” end of the musical spectrum.
5 reviews
A highly entertaining romp through a couple of lifetimes of wild and wonderful music
1 review3 followers
Two middle aged men talk about music, the part it's played in their lives and their parts in making it. And that's it, really. Kavus's contributions form a kind of autobigraphy while Steve tends to focus more on the parts of his life that music has touched but this is essentially a joint love letter to the joy, tears, highs and lows that music brings to us. The music itself leans heavily towards the esoteric if not outright weird - I consider myself to have an in depth knowledge of music and it's myriad forms, and indeed have listened to or am at least aware of many of the groups discussed, but I never thought I would willingly learn so much about Christian Vander, his band Magma and its attendant Zeuhl philosophy. What makes it all so enthralling is the sheer passion that shines from the pages of this book - music was the path Kavus chose to escape his humdrum, outsider life in Plymouth, and the single minded obsession perhaps to be expected from Davis the snooker perfectionist. They met by chance when Kavus spotted Steve at several Magma gigs in the mid-noughties, a friendship developed over their shared love of prog and experiemental music and they ended up first DJ-ing together before forming an experimental group of their own, The Utopia Strong. Yep, Steve Davis is now the player of modular synths on four (to date) albums, something which still seems to (joyfully) surprise even him. I'm not gonna sugar coat it, the music this pair of heads love might be off putting in its sheer breadth and outright weirdness but the undoubted love and passion they share, and their very readable styles of writing, made this a very enjoyable journey for me and may even find an audience outside of music geeks.
Don't really remember how I found out about this book, but it was a 'what?! my fav snooker player is in a band?! and there's a book!' so I had to have it. It does not disappoint. Both writers have a sense of humour I appreciate muchly. Also I am not a music-nitwit but there are so many names in this book that mean nothing to me but sound worth listening to: it's great. For anyone interested in non-mainstream-music (which is I think most of my friends): read it, laugh, learn.