Revd. Jericho's Steampunkery &c

Whitby!

2011-11-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Cogkneys in action! It was a great gig and week!

What is Steampunk?

2011-11-02T07:14:00.001-07:00

Steampunk is a difficult thing to explain, as it does not abide easily by the usual subcultural rules. It doesn’t relate to a specific style of music, or television show, or film. (There are examples of all of these that fall into the Steampunk ‘aesthetic’, however.) Steampunk is a subculture that, for the most part, draws its inspirations from literature and history. Perhaps the best way to examine the philosophy of Steampunk is to look at the word itself.

The ‘Steam’ of Steampunk

For most Steampunks, the ‘Steam’ in Steampunk conjures up visions of the Age of Steam, (which most would consider to be the Victorian and Edwardian era) from the gaslit streets of Victorian London to the dusty saloons of the American Frontier, from the wilds of Colonial Africa and India to the genteel drawing rooms of the aristocracy. It can also conjure up more fantastical imagery – airship pirates fighting wild ‘air-kraken’, for example! Steampunks like to take things they admire from the Age of Steam – the clothing, the etiquette, even in some cases the hobbies, and merge them with our 21st Century attitudes and philosophies, which brings us to…

The ‘Punk’ of Steampunk

The ‘Punk’ in Steampunk has little to do with the musical style and more to do with the ethos of that music style – the DIY attitude, the rejection of rules and standards. The Punk attitude is what enables some lady Steampunks to- gasp! –show their ankles, or wear their corsets on the outside! Gracious! Steampunks often modify clothing to fit in better with their idea of Steampunk – or even design and make their own clothing, props, and ray-guns! Computers, cameras, cell-phones and many other modern devices are disguised and made to look as if they are antiques. The modern, streamlined aesthetic displeases many Steampunks, and they like to make their devices look more attractive and individual. Steampunk is very much about individuality.

Seriously, though, where does it come from?

Steampunk is a subgenre of science-fiction and fantasy literature. This kind of literature existed long before the term was coined (in the works, for example, of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne). Later authors came along and added to the literary tapestry – K. W. Jeter, Tim Powers, James Blaylock, Michael Moorcock, William Gibson, Bruce Sterling and many others. It was Jeter who coined the term ‘Steampunk’ (as a kind of tongue in cheek reference to the popular SF genre ‘Cyberpunk’) in 1987, and since then many authors have come to identify themselves as Steampunk writers.

There have been several films that utilise the Steampunk design aesthetic – The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Wild Wild West, Steamboy, Treasure Planet and others.

The literary heritage of Steampunk means that many (but by no means all) Steampunks develop an ‘alter-ego’ that often defines the way they dress. Some are explorers, and sport pith helmets, rugged boots and rifles. Some are engineers, dressed in overalls with several handy tools in their belt pouches. Some are airship pilots, with goggles and uniforms and sturdy leather jackets. The list goes on and on – soldiers, dilettantes, mad scientists, sky-pirates, musicians, spies, doctors, steam-powered robots &c, &c…

Where can I find out more?

The internet is very much the home of Steampunk. Information can be found at:

v Wikipedia’s Steampunk page

v The Brass Goggles Forum.

v Steampunk Magazine.

Each of these can direct you to a multitude of websites that cover every facet of Steampunk history, design and philosophy.

Rehearsing!

2011-10-17T04:36:00.001-07:00

Rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing. Looking forward to bringing Whitby a barrel-load of Cogkney spookiness! But what to wear?

A nice review!

2011-09-27T14:40:00.001-07:00

Of the Weekend at the Asylum and briefly of the Cogkneys from the Steampunk Chronicle.

Huzzah!

Rev'd Jericho takes Lincoln. Roughly.

2011-09-20T14:45:00.001-07:00

I have a massive weapon. Also, I have this cannon.

Whitby Alt Fest!

2011-09-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

Are you coming to the Whitby Alt Fest this year? If so, we'd love to see you at The Rifle Club on Friday night for 'The Major's Soiree', where The Cogkneys will perform an almost completely but not quite new act! Audience participation! A Cockney Singalong! Spooky songs! Innuendo!

And there'll be other entertanment in the form of inimtable form of Count Rostov's comedy, as well as a quiz (I think). Cheapest bar in Whitters, too!

Arthur Foot - Poet of Note!

2011-09-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

Have written a couple of poems recently - I might well 'launch' one or possibly both of them at Whitby this year. Oooooh! I can tell you that one of the poems is called 'The Mysterious Green Potion' and is a sort of homage to Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde!
And it's all fodder for the possible upcoming book - Ribald For Your Pleasure!

Back from the madhouse!

2011-09-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well, we're back from another stormingly good weekend at The Asylum Steampunk Convivial! Getting to swan about in nice clothes, go for drinks/lovely meals with wonderful, make new friends and see old ones - what could be better?

Oh yes! Also getting to see great musical acts such as The Men Who Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing (eagerly awaiting their new album), Sunday Driver, Professor Elemental and Mr B. The Gentleman Rhymer, as well as greatly enjoying the inimitable Count Rostov's superb radio play (and his naughty little play in the Soiree!)

The Cogkneys performed a brand new act (twice!) in the Major's Soiree on Friday, and it was lovely to be on the same bill as the aforementioned Count (accompanied by the lovely Lady M), Kit Cox (the time travelling comedian), Dr. Quack and Andrew O' Neill (FLIES!) as well as the Major himself.

Splendid!

A selection of iconographs can perused here... Pictures!

If you missed us in the Soiree, or you'd like to revisit the 'genius' of our act (not my words, but those of our audience), here's the whole thing. Lawks!

Less than a week to THE ASYLUM!

2011-09-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Rehearsing like a pair of crazy rehearsing fools! Looking forward to performing a particular 98 year old song, should be funny! Lots of buttock related humour in this year's act...

Back From Whitby!

2011-04-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Mimsy Beaucoup and I have returned from the Whitby Alt Fest, where we the guests of the crew of the Discombobulous! We had a great time in the steampunk hub of the rifle club and it was wonderful to see so many familiar & friendly faces. Tea was drunk, gin was drunk, rum was drunk, I was drunk. Marvellous!

The Cogkneys (our music hall act) performed on Friday night, here's the link to a video of our act...
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150164735062441&oid=126266604090585&comments

An album of my pictures can be viewed here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlthulhu/sets/72157626300150405/

On Saturday I got up and performed a few poems during the open mic slot, two of which are available to view on The Cogkneys youtube page...
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCogkneys
That was wonderful, nerve-wracking fun!

Oh- The Cogkneys also have a few bits of merchandise available...
http://www.zazzle.co.uk/cogkneys

2011-03-27T08:24:00.001-07:00

Fame at last!

2011-03-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

If you don't ever blink, you might have seen me on The One Show on 01/03/2011. This was shot at last year's Whitby Gothic Weekend.
iPlayer link- http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/z5f4w/

Oh, and talking of Whitby don't forget that the Cogkneys are performing as part of the Major's Soiree at Whitby Alt Fest this April...

More wonderful pics from NYE!

2011-01-22T01:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32058362@N04/sets/72157625829316402/

A good one of me at the swim-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32058362@N04/5367216999/in/set-72157625829316402/

2011-01-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Back home from what was one of the most fantastically wonderful NYE's I've ever enjoyed!

Who'd have thought so much fun could be had in Corby?

From the dancing to the swimming, from the excellent game Ben ran to the Music Hall evening, all was excellent.

I especially enjoyed all the socialising, it was so nice to spend time with such a lovely bunch of incredibly sophisticated Ladies & Gentlemen.

The Cogkney's performance also went very well, and everyone seemed to enjoy it, and I've had some lovely comments about my poetry which made me all shy and blushy!

Some photographs on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlthulhu/sets/72157625604966233/

2010-11-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

And here's a nice picture of Mimsy & me from when we're not a Cogkney-ing.

2010-11-05T09:44:00.001-07:00

I'm pleased to say that The Cogkneys gig at Whitby went excellently, and everyone seemed to enjoy the new additions to the set!

Anyway, I would like to present a few Cogkneys related links for your pleasure:

Our Facebook Group

Our Youtube Channel

Our Website.

NEWS!

2010-09-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Cogkneys will be performing at The Major's Soiree at Whitby Gothic Weekend this October.

Huzzah!

Saturday & Sunday at The Asylum

2010-09-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday dawned an Lady Mimsy and I set out for a day of shopping, promenading and general fun!

Lady Mimsy looked resplendant in her tudor/pirate dress, with home-made ship hat!

I let my red cassock flutter as I took to the streets as The Reverend, in my adventuring gear!

The shops this year were in the jail, which was a wonderful venue and inspired!

GIN! GIN! GIN! Free gin!

Two beautifully dressed gentlemen!

WOW!

So many great outfits on view at the Asylum.

And here we all are, done up for the Ball! I've changed character, and now I'm Agent Viktor Larkspur of HM Railway Police!

PHWOARR!

More amazing outfits! Cecile's was both inspired and slightly scary!

These guys always look fantastic!

Chap (and Chapessing) it on Sunday!

Some of the amazing SP builds...

All in all, a wonderful weekend!

Back from the Asylum!

2010-09-17T14:19:00.001-07:00

Well, Mimsy and I returned from the Second Asylum Steampunk Convivial last Sunday. A wonderful time was had, many fabulous outfits were seen (and worn), and much gin was 'hic' drunk. All in all, wizard.

Friday begun with Mimsy & I dropping our bits and bobs off at the B&B before quickly getting ready for our show. Due to some collective madness on our part, we had agreed to take part in the Major's Soiree, as Music Hall act The Cogkney King & Queen!

I think our act went down well, and we certainly enjoyed listening to the other acts, who all put on jolly good shows.
Here's an action shot! (Permission to use photo kindly provided by Duncan Newham).

And that was Friday! I shall post about Saturday tomorrow...

Steampunk Attracts The Eye Of The BBC

2009-11-30T04:39:00.000-08:00

Nice little article and video...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8376028.stm

2009-11-06T01:14:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of pictorial representations of The Lady Mimsy and myself at the very recent and most enjoyable Whitby Celebratory Weekend For Those Of A Gothic Disposition. In the last representation you can see that I did in fact complete the coat I displayed earlier on this web diary.

Nanowrimo progress

2009-11-02T03:14:00.001-08:00

Currently nothing. I'm very disappointed in myself.

Face Fashion

2009-10-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

I've been working on (if that is the correct turn of phrase) growing myself a 'steampunk' facial hair style. It's nearly there now, and hopefully should look good for Whitby! I can even wax the tips now, which is what I was aiming for!

Coat Part 2 - The Pictures

2009-10-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

As promised, the photographs of my modded coat mentioned in the previous post. I still need to put some brass buttons on it, but I'm rather pleased with what I've achieved...

Coat!

2009-10-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've spent much of this afternoon sewing a brown cord coat. It was an old coat with a ripped pocket that I haven't worn for a couple of years. I first fixed the pocket, then sewed eight brass rings to the back and created a sort of 'corset style' back, held together with gold rope cord. I created some epaulettes out of felt and gold braid. I also finished the pocket edges with the braid and added some loops of the cord around one arm. I also put some shiny brass buttons on the lapels...

It was quite hard work, as I am hardly the most accomplished at sewing! I still need to find some more brass buttons for the coat, but I'm pretty pleased with it so far...

I'll try and add some photographs tomorrow.

Information of literary kind

2009-09-23T00:24:00.000-07:00

I've just finished the first book in the Pax Britannia series, Unnatural History, and I can confirm it was a rollicking good read! I was lucky enough to get the book in my goody bag at the asylum, which was a lovely suprise. The book did have a few cliches, and the characterisation could have been improved, but all in all it was great fun. I'll definitely be seeking out the other books in the series.

In sort of related news, I've decided to attempt nanowrimo again this year. The title? Jericho! Yes, I'm going to attempt a steampunk novel. l have managed to knock together a rough chapter plan, and I know what I'm aiming for (pulp all the way, baby!) so my hopes are reasonably high this time... Look out for excerpts on this very blog.

2009-09-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

I've done a little more work on the faery-gun - I've sawn off the magazine and the pretend folding stock. I've found a jar to attach to the magazine place and worked out (see below) how to place a glowing fairy in the aforementioned jar. Next I need to glue in place the cone on the barrel and the other bits and bobs. I need to get some glue on rivet heads (and possibly a cog on the cocking knob) and then I can paint her! I'm envisioning a couple of coats of primer followed by a copper coat. Then it's just a case of aging it up. Hopefully should look good!

Faery gun power unit

2009-09-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

I've been working on some plans for the 'power unit' of Lady Mimsy's pistol. Feeling rather positive about my ability to deliver a convincing mod.

A Ray-Gun for the Lady

2009-09-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today I bought a small toy gun to modify for the lovely Lady Mimsy- the picture below shows the raw material. I have a couple of bits to attach to this and few parts to saw off! We're looking to make this into a 'faery powered' gun! More later...

Plans afoot!

2009-09-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

I'm terribly excited by the prospect of steaming it up again at Whitters this October! To that end, the Lady Mimsy and I have been formulating plans for clothing, props &c. I'm in the planning stages regarding revamping an old brown cord coat that I damaged some time ago. I'm toying with the idea of putting on a chained corset style back, epaullettes and watch part decoration around the lapels. I might also affix some method of attaching pouches and accessories to the coat too. Lady Mimsy has some excellent plans for a key decorated corset, and there's another top secret project we're working on for next year!

Back From The Asylum...

2009-09-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

...where they very kindly let me go!

I, and my lovely paramour, the Lady Mimsy Beaucoup, had a most marvelous time. There was a wonderful sense of community, and many beautiful outfits on display. My mind is buzzing with ideas for Whitby and the next SP Convivial, and hopefully I'll be able to record them on this shiny new journal!

Anyway, here's a link to all the pictures from the Asylum Convivial -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlthulhu/sets/72157622368249484/

and here's a link to my BG profile -

http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile