Magma news

[Dana5140]

Translation- I am the boss, I have fired people on short notice before and may again, and I needed to reduce the tension people were feeling.

That's clear and much as I hate to say it, explains little. But I suppose as time goes on, we will hear more. Or not. It is what it is, and in my world, given my last 18 months, not worthy of too much more concern. I'll look forward ot hearing the music again, and will look to see where the other musicians land.

[Marco]

I’m so bummed that I didn’t get to hear a studio album of Theusz Hamtaahk with Bubu and Benoit.

[NogbadTheBad]

Sounds like standard issue management bullshit.

[Dana5140]

Pretty much. What comes to mind is that they have been touring for the better part of 3 years now, easy. That has to take a toll. Some of those guys have other jobs outside of the band. Can't be easy. But in the case of Bubu, he has played with Vander for 30 years- that is a long time for it to end like this. I know nothing much about the outside lives of the band members, except that Jerome was recently married. So hard to say how hard it is to be away for so long, working as a sideman to someone else's genius.

[calyx]

What comes to mind is that they have been touring for the better part of 3 years now, easy.

You probably mean before the 1 1/2 year break they took (all of 2018 plus 1st half of 2019) during which they only played a couple of special gigs (one in support of Le Triton, and another at the prestigious Jazz à Vienne festival) until last June. They only resumed heaving touring last summer. But you're right that they really toured to exhaustion in 2015-17, and that probably strained relationships, which the break evidently failed to resolve.

[Conti]

In retrospect, it would be a miracle the band core survive the 'infinite tour'. Life on the road takes its toll. That said, I will really miss Bussonet. Let's hope that some fresh air brings more inspiration to CV and opens new paths to Magma.

[DarthVander]

Yeah this was a bit of a shock, though to be honest with Magma's history less so than with most other bands. As for everyone else Bussonet's departure is the hardest to process (or understand).
I have no doubt the new lineup will be more than up to the task of course. If the reports about how the changes were communicated to the band are true that is a bit disappointing, but shouldn't affect the enjoyment of future releases/live performances really.

[DarthVander]

In retrospect, it would be a miracle the band core survive the 'infinite tour'.

I don't know, Magma's not the only band out there to tour extensively. In fact, what is considered extensive touring for them is pretty much the norm for most other active bands out there, or is even a bit lighter. And it's not like every other band falls apart after a couple of years of touring.

[Dana5140]

It's not just the touring; it is also the rehearsing, and the fact that most of the other musician members of the band have other work- Herve teaches voice, and he also sings in an acapella group (Celestial Q-Tips), Bubu has gigged with a whole lot of people (Electric Epic, for example), Benoit teaches as well, Jerome drums in another band, etc. Some are recently married- Jerome, and Isabelle (who remains core to the band). Rudy Blas has another band with his brother. Isabelle sings funk with Addie and Jean-Francois Deat sometimes. So I think it is the entirety of what they are all doing.

[zeprogmeister]

25 years is a very long time to be in a band where you are a side-man.

[Udi Koomran]

25 years is a very long time to be in a band where you are a side-man.

Good point
I remember buying Floe Essi ep in 98 and how i loved his composition and thought this might indicate a new exciting direction for the newly reincarnated Magma
And here we are decades later
Was there any other Magma song he composed ?

[DarthVander]

Well, with Magma's history I doubt anyone joining would have serious expectations of becoming a significant contributor to the writing.
And in those 25 years Bussonet did get to work on a lot of other projects as was mentioned above.
Still, would be perfectly understandable if he had had enough, but looks like even if he was frustrated he was not the one who made the move.

[Gorillclub]

He should have Fired Francis linon ...

[calyx]

He should have Fired Francis linon ...

Elvis could never have sacked Col. Parker's wife if she'd been his sound engineer.

[Gorillclub]

Exactly What i think ... we know who is the real boss...

[Udi Koomran]

Was The initial incarnation of Magma a real group or a bunch of musicians there to fulfill CV’s vision ?

[moecurlythanu]

^ Great question.

[calyx]

Was The initial incarnation of Magma a real group or a bunch of musicians there to fulfill CV’s vision ?

I would say somewhere in between. Vander had the original vision, but it wasn't fully developed musically, more like a general intention/direction and a range of influences. There was a more idealistic concept about the creative input from the musicians, with everyone contributing music - and, I suppose, having a say in the band's general direction. On the next album, the number of composers was already down to three, and by 1972 with the collapse of the original band it became Vander's baby, by which time his musical vision had matured.

[Udi Koomran]

Vander had the original vision, but it wasn't fully developed musically, .

I found our friend Peter Thelen’s Magma lineup history page - this make an interesting reading

http://www.expose.org/magma-dg.html

From studying this its clear he was the initiator

Reading Thelen’s page shoes there were no less then 34 lineup changes from 69-84

Also from watching the 1970 French TV footage its clear Vander is leader but that members have a say about the music and the vision.

https://youtu.be/XT__M9i3CyM

[calyx]

Reading Thelen’s page shoes there were no less then 34 lineup changes from 69-84.

There are different kinds of line-up changes. A change of one of two keyboard players or second drummer isn't as important as occasions where virtually the entire line-up changed. I would personally count the 1969-72 band as one line-up despite the minute changes, since the core remained the same (Cahen, Moze, Vander, Blasquiz, Lasry). Ditto the 1973-74 line-up with Top, Bikialo and Grailler, the 1975-76 line-up with Paganotti, Lockwood etc. All in all, there were much fewer line-ups or "periods" than those 34.

[Udi Koomran]

1972 is were the transition between the initial formation to the so called classic era
Much like Gong
No official album most probably lots of woodshedding

[Marco]

He should have Fired Francis linon ...

Amen.

[Dharma]

Check out this beautiful picture. Vander and his drumming hero.
vander jones.jpg

[Zeuhlmate]

Check out this beautiful picture. Vander and his drumming hero.
vander jones.jpg

Nice!

[Zeuhlmate]

Vander72.jpg