In an exclusive, Trans-Atlantic hot-Line telephone Call to his LA home, Captain Beefheart revealed plans for a new line-up in the Magic Band, already into recording and live gigs.

One of the few positive moves following Monitors the break-up of the Mothers has resulted in Ian Under­wood, ace horns man, coming in to play guitar, and Artie Tripp taking over from Jumbo on drums. Jumbo only stayed with the Band for a matter of weeks: his first gig was at the Actuel Festival, and the original drummer, John French, was still with them for Trout Mask Replica, though for reasons unknown to anybody, he wasn’t credited.

More amazing still is the return of Antennae Jimmy Semens, half-human guitarist, who recently left the Magic Band to live with his mother in the desert. Apparently he won’t be playing much, but he’ll most likely ‘stand at the side and recite poetry’. Camera Accessories

Beefheart and his new troupe will be touring England in March, when he arrives for a month long tour. Wait for it.

P.S. Zappa has been rehearsing his new band for three months, probably the team that will do the Albert Hall gig in April, and Jimmy Carl Black has his own ‘Geronimo Black’ band on the road.