25 editions of the fanzine Ork Alarm! was the legacy Paul Mummery left to Magma and Zeuhl aficionados when he died prematurely in March 1998. Paul's musical tastes ranged from Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, Peter Hammil and Van der Graf Generator, through to Krautrock and French Progrock. But his number one passion was the inspirational Zeuhl music of Christian Vander, Magma and many of the offshoot bands that they spawned.
Paul first witnessed "The Greatest band on Kobaïa" in London back in the early Seventies. I'm sure, like many in attendance, he was overwhelmed by the experience and his love affair with the group began. Today, a new worldwide generation of "alternative music" fans have discovered the talents of Christian Vander et al, but sadly, Paul is not there to witness this "Second Coming" of Magma.
Ork Alarm! # 1 was issued in September 1990. It was announced as an "Irregular bulletin for Zeuhl fanatics". Initially Ork Alarm! concentrated on Magma and their constantly changing line-up of musicians. But later Paul incorporated articles on other Zeuhl style artists, occasionally straying into other related genres. With the help of other experts in the field (Andy Garibaldi, Oliver Fromentin, Duncan Lane etc.) Paul built up a comprehensive history of Zeuhl music. Others have taken up the reigns of championing the cause, but for me, Ork Alarm! was, and in some ways, still is the definitive written work on the subject.
Ork Alarm! had always inspired me to return to Magma's music as well as seek out related artists, and after re-reading them, two things struck me. Firstly, how Paul would have loved the current resurgance and incarnation of Magma. And secondly, that the documentary aspect of the fanzine had become dated. If nothing else, I decided that Ork Alarm! deserved a retrospective presence on the web and perhaps I could add the occasional update or two as well.
I had kept in contact with Paul's father so I obtained permission from him to publish Ork Alarm! online. I'm sure this is something Paul would have done anyway. No doubt this venture breaches some copyright controls, (please contact me if you have any complaints or objections) but hopefully it will be viewed upon favourably as attempt to continue to spread the Zeuhl gospel and also as an appreciation of the efforts of Paul Mummery and the 25 issues of his “Inspirational” Zeuhl music publication, Ork Alarm!