This is something special. We're looking back over the story of Throbbing Gristle this issue, interviewing the surviving members of the band and others associated with TG. Genesis P-Orridge, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Chris Carter and Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson ripped up all the rules, both sonically and visually, both as a live act and a recording unit. They are widely recognised as the prime movers of industrial music, but their influence and impact stretches way beyond any particular genre. Their early gigs attracted everybody from acid-fried hippies and spotty anarcho-punks to oddball alt-funkateers and hot-wired electronics freaks. There has never been another group even remotely like Throbbing Gristle.  

Talking of unique artists, elsewhere in the magazine we also have interviews with The Orb, as Alex Paterson celebrates the release of a career-spanning collection, and one-time Virgin Prunes frontman Gavin Friday, who returns with his first solo album in more than a decade. Plus Field Music, Memorials, Jill Fraser, The Woodentops, The Go! Team, Xeno & Oaklander, Dreadzone and Public Service Broadcasting. Oh, and not forgetting Mirror System, Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy's blissed-out offshoot of System 7. Prepare yourself for maximum cosmic vibes!