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When Does the Mind-Bending Start?

The Life and Times of World of Twist

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When Does the Mind-Bending Start?

By: Gordon King
Narrated by: Gordon King
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A Times Book of the Year

'Most underrated group? World of Twist.' - LIAM GALLAGHER
'They're a top band. No one could do what World of Twist do, except World of Twist.' - NOEL GALLAGHER
'They were such a special band, such a moment in time, and Gordon has written such a special book.' - JON RONSON

World of Twist: the greatest lost band of all time.

While fame, glory and untold riches seemed like an inevitability for World of Twist at the turn of the '90s, the universe was simply not ready for a group of retro futurists, psychedelic adventurers and cosmic tunesmiths.

Too late for Madchester, too early for Britpop and too much fun to pigeonhole, the band went on to face a demoralising string of near-misses and 'what could have been's, ultimately falling apart in a medley of incompatible drugs, musical contretemps, sartorial differences and all-round shoulder-shrugging apathy.

But they burned bright and left an indelible mark on everyone who looked deep into their light...

Now, in When Does the Mind-Bending Start?, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter Gordon King tells the incredible inside story of his time with World of Twist, revealing the jealousy, anguish and personal demons experienced by the clashing personalities of King and the band's late singer, Tony Ogden.

This is a memoir of tragedy and triumph, comedy and drama, demise and recovery. Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity
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Critic reviews

'They were such a special band, such a moment in time, and Gordon has written such a special book.' (Jon Ronson)
'Amazingly good: moving, funny and about everything - music, friendship, success, failure, loss, place and 1,000 other things. You won't regret buying it and reading it.' (John Harris)
'The engaging narrative is rich in comedy, mundanity, fantasy, hubris and poignancy. 4/5' (Mojo)
'One of the most vivid, celebratory and honest books ever published about love for music. 4/5' (Record Collector)
All stars
Most relevant
Wish everyone that had been in a band in that era had these writing skills so that I’d have an endless supply of this stuff.

Loved it.

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Really enjoyed this book, a bittersweet tale of creativity, inter band dynamics and the business of show.

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyed this.

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Loved this. stories of bands who nearly were are often much more interesting than the big stars of the time. particularly recommended if you made music to scant or no success in the 90s.

essential oral history

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Only remember World of Twist vaguely but that is what the story is about in part. It gives a very good account of the musical and cultural events in the 70s and 80s that led us to that particular period in Manchester. Even if you know nothing about the band it doesn’t matter as the story alone is worth it.

Excellent

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RIP Dave Hardy. Lovely guy. This fella shoulda changed his guitar strings more often. Recommended to anyone interested in this time of fantastic music.

Great stuff

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