Facelift Magazine
Facelift, a magazine exploring the 'Canterbury scene and beyond' for almost 11 years has finally reached the end of the line.
Editor Phil Howitt explains (April 2000).
"The main reason for inactivity on the Facelift front is for that the last 2½ years my day job has rather taken over my spare time, meaning I am working many evenings and weekends, with little time left over for other things. I don’t intend to work this way for long (!) but, all things considered, I’ve figured it may be time to call it a day. I moved out of the city (Manchester) a year or so ago, and my priorities are increasingly becoming spending more time outdoors, and less time in front of a computer screen. Plus there are other reasons for stopping doing Facelift, not least the fact that the vibe of the magazine has very much been taken over by the Internet (and all power to it too). So, there will be one last Facelift, issue 20. This has been the intention since last summer, but I’ve just not had time to do anything about it. The likelihood is that it will come out in summer or late 2000 and will be mainly a celebration of 20 issues and 11 years with a couple of interviews thrown in.
I do not intend to disappear fully - don’t discount the possibility of a website appearing or contributions towards the many excellent mags, websites and organisations related to Canterbury/Gong music. Many thanks to everyone for their support and understanding over the last two years of virtual silence on my part.
See you all at a Gong gig in the near future!"
Many thanks to Phil for his dedication, hard work and inspiration over the years. We wish him well for the future.
Facelift began life as a tatty photocopied 24-page fanzine relying on reprints of old gig ads and the odd original article, with a print run of 100. At its peak it averaged about 80 pages, and a print run of 1000 copies distributed by mail order into around 35 countries worldwide, as well as through specialist distributors such as Wayside (US) and Impetus (UK). With a glossy front cover and professional DTP layout throughout, its strength became the original interviews with all key artists of the genre.
The magazine set out its stall to cover the music and influence of bands such as Soft Machine, Caravan, Hatfield and the North, National Health, Gong and solo artists such as Robert Wyatt, Steve Hillage, Kevin Ayers. Moving a little further afield it would include related musicians such as Allan Holdsworth, Bill Bruford and musicians from Henry Cow. It was never a head-in-the-sand retrogressive magazine, most of the musicians mentioned above are currently producing music, and Facelift always rated promoting the current activities of 'Canterbury' musicians just as highly as dwelling on the past.
Issue 20 never actually appeared but to obtain any back issues, try Phil Howitt on philhowitt@beeb.net
Over the last few years I have been a regular contributor of interviews, reviews and other articles to Facelift magazine, here is an enhanced selection of the more substantial items:
Isotope/Gong/Soft Machine Live 74-75
A look back at a great start to my gig list, alternatively known
as 'Adventures in a Metallic Blue Ford Escort.'
Bill Bruford - Live Dates 1975-99
I've been privileged to see BB on five separate occasions, the
original article has been updated to include the most recent..
Lol Coxhill Benefit 1979
National Health headline, proceeds to Lol Coxhill's dentist.
Dirk Campbell - Music from a Round Tower
Possibly my favourite album from the 90s, a detailed review.
Julie Tippetts 1976
The National Health gig that never was.
For further in depth reading the Calyx Website covers the 'Canterbury' musical genre far better than anything I could produce.