By Dr. Elmo Firesign, O.D.
In 1989, the World ended! (If you don't remember, please take my word on it, as a student of the Past and historian of the Present.)
However, and luckily for all of us, four (or five) Not Insane Guys named Austin, Bergman, Ossman and Proctor saw the end coming as early as 1967 and knew what to do.
They banded together in the hills of Hollywood and devoted themselves to staying two years ahead of The Future. Looking deep into their crystal balls, they began telling stories about what they saw. These stories got broadcast on radio, put on record albums and presented on stage - and gradually a lot of folks all over this great land of R's began laughing at some of the things which we had previously been scaring them nearly Over The Edge.
Laughing because The Firesign Theatre (which was what the four men called both their art and place-of-business) had taken the ancient craft of Comedy and married it to Prophecy, Poetry and Pop - producing new forms, suitable for survival through those scary-delic years of the late 1960's and into the future-schlock of the 70's.
Yes, it was comedy (the opposite of gravity). It was comedy for people high on their first acid trip. Comedy for people high enough not to take anything - seriously. Comedy for kids who were being forced to grow up fast. Comedy for adults who would remember that they are still children. Comedy opposed to the 30-year was in Asia and the Robot Presidency. Comedy that always told the truth.
The selections presented on Forward Into The Past are drawn from The Firesign Theatre's nine Columbia albums, originally released between 1968 and 1975. As a special added attraction, we have included TFT's famous "unreleased single," produced by Chicago's James William Guercio in 1969. The title cut introduces the nostalgic magic of Radio's Golden Era, which finds full development in the Firesign Classic, Nick Danger - Third Eye, included here in its entirety.
But if it's More Sugar you want, sample TFT's commercials - from Ralph Spoilsport plugging his '69 Nark Avenger to Bearwhiz Beer and Magog Bros. Atlantis Cartep Reclaimers
If politics is your bag or Tricky Dicks, observe the breaking of The President amd participate in the nomination of George Papoon. (He's Not Insane!)
If the Media has massaged you into a glowing groat-cake, relax with Beat The Reaper, Mark Time, Dr. Whiplash and the immortal Army Training Film (What To Do When The Aliens Attack).
And if you've ever had a Mom and Dad, you'll want to join Peorgie and Mudhead in their escape from High School Madness.
Ready? It's easy - just press that little chromium switch there, set the dial for a thousand and hit yourself over the head with a bag of pickles... Forward into the Past!
Shoes For Industry!
The texts of most of the selections in this album have been published in The Firesign Theatre's Big Book Of Plays and The Firesign Theatre's Big Mystery Joke Book, published by Straight Arrow Books, distributed by Simon & Schuster.
All inquiries and other correspondence to The Firesign Theatre may be addressed to The Young Tom Edison Club, Box 4306, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
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WARNING! The above information is WAAAY out of date!!! As of 1996, send all inquiries and other correspondence to TFT c/o FIREZINE! --- Doc |
Waiting For The Electrician Or Someone Like Him 1/68 - Comic "movies-for-your-mind," including the classic title piece, a History of the American Indian and psychedelic satire.
How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All 7/69 - 56 minutes of fun in Anytown USA with Ralph Spoilsport and radio's famous private eye.
Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me The Pliers 7/70 - The effects of eating too much TV, starring Peorgie & Mudhead and friends in High School madness.
I Think We're All Bozos On This Bus 8/71 - a dazzling ride into the Future! Get up against The Wall Of science! See the President break down!
Dear Friends 1/72 - Hilarious improvisations and comedy routines from their frequently surpressed radio shows. A special 2- record album.
Not Insane or Anything You Want To 10/72 - Shakespeare meets Glutamoto at The Martian Space Party, the President goes for a rocket ride and the Surrealists nominate Papoon.
The Tale Of The Giant Rat Of Sumatra 1/74 - Famed defective Hemlock Stones on the trail of The Electrician! Rip-snorting adventure from the pirate-infested London docks to Jazz-Age Chicago's gangster's lairs!
Everything You Know Is Wrong 10/74 - UFO-addict "Happy Harry" Cox discovers that the aliens are living next door! With Rebus Cannebus and a host of unusual T news-men and sportscasters, Indian medicine-men and nudists.
In The Next World, You're On Your Own 10/75 - An X-rated black comedy about sex-and-violence in a little desert town, a policeman's television dreams, interspecies atheletics, and terrorism at the Academy Awards.
