The new (fifth) GANTOB book has been landing around the world this week (Who Killed GANTOB?) It unlocks the “missing” fourth book (25 Paintings) Books and associated paraphernalia have been submitted to the British Library
And don’t forget the Vipers Tongue Quarterly stories, unavailable elsewhere: – The A-Z of Curt Finks, Cult Edinburgh Fringe Performer – Rigid – Just Cope
Little Grapefruit At Sea is the “Now and Then” of the catalogue – may be finished with some extra contributions and Jeff Lynne production
The mural of desperation was established in the final stages of preparing the 5th GANTOB book, Who Killed GANTOB? (GANTOB Books, 2026). The purpose of this construction is explained in that book. If you are an original recipient of the 5th book then you can apply to be added to the wall. This will unlock the 4th book, GANTOB’s 25 Paintings (GANTOB Books, 2025).
Successful applicants, and their applications will be added to this post.
Hello Maureen, and whoever remains in the GANTOBverse that reads this,
Having read “Who Killed GANTOB?” I know that I must state my case to receive a hard copy of the “25 Paintings” book.
I shall do so, but not out of “desperation”. I rarely despair. My inclination is more towards hope. Hence I make my request from a sense of dissatisfaktion over “unfinished business” and hope it will be accepted.
I’ll try to explain. I understand the logik; the KLF “ethos” of Kaos and Destruktion and desire to resist “Kompletionism”, but apart from a time in my childhood when I kollected the cards that came with PG Tea and was passionate about filling their albums I have never really been a kompletionist. I will not be searching out copies of Vipers Tongue or other such esoterika. And the KLF themselves reversed much of their destruktion when they reissued their music. The destruktion argument no longer holds, despite The Benefaktor’s orchestrated burnings on the IOM.
My justification is that the GANTOB projekt drew me in from nowhere. One night of idle web browsing in August 2023 prompted a kwestion and the rest is history. I was in from the early days, I was prompted to do stuff I’d never done before and when the proof of the final opus appeared with a plea for assistance I gave it my best shot. I apologise again to The Observer for the italics business. But, as GANTOB knows well, my background involved projekt management, and no projekt manager worth their salt wants to walk away without a succesful konklusion and a formal sign off. This is usually followed with a review of “lessons learned”.
My proof kopy remains mysteriously out of sight. I’ve learned a lesson about keeping stuff organised. But there’s a hole on a shelf above BD’s “The 25 Paintings 2014” set aside for a similar sized book with a different set of 25 paintings. That kompanion book is required in order to kross the final stage boundary and close the last projekt gate. It will bug me for a long time if I don’t cross that (K)Line.
Regards
JR
After:
Thank you. The book arrived safely today. It’s something special.
JR
P.S.
The missing proof was really irritating me. As I was out walking today I called for reinforcements and took out my mental “time teleskope” and began a process…it went like this…
When did you send the last korrektions to DGMoG(tp)?
– Checks email. Late on Monday 27 Oct 2025
What else were you doing then?
– Checks calendar. It was a chemo day. We were at The Christie.
So you probably drafted the email while you were there, and the book was with you?
– Korrekt.
You normally go for a walk while H is on the drip. The book is heavy. Did you drop it off in the car boot as you set off?
– Probably.
Did you ever take it out?
– I must have done at some point.
Did you go anywhere unusual shortly after?
– Checks calendar. The car went into the garage for some repairs on Weds 29th.
So you would have emptied the car beforehand.
– Korrekt.
You normally dump everything in that big Lidl bag and use the opportunity to clear the car of surplus CDs and other excess baggage. Did you do that?
– Yes, I always do that when it goes to the garage..
Where did you put the surplus CDs?
– In an old cheese box.
Where did you put the box?
– On the desk in the spare bedroom with the other boxes.
Didn’t H make you tidy the spare bedroom before Christmas when you had guests?
– Korrekt.
Where did you put the boxes of CDs?
– In the bottom of the wardrobe.
Are they still there?
– Yes.
Have you looked in there for the book?
– Yes. And I looked in the big box under the bed.
Are you sure? Did you look properly? Or was it a “man look”?
– Errrm
Did you look behind the boxes of CDs and under those old coats that you really should take to the charity shop?
– I’d better have another look when I get home hadn’t I?
I think you should, I can see a hint of orange in that back korner…
Once again the time teleskope brought klarity.
Regards
JR
Christine’s contribution:
Stu’s contribution:
Dear Maureen,
First of all, thank you for the unexpected copy of ‘Who Killed GANTOB?’ (and the Relive pamphlet) that arrived last week. As you say in the pamphlet, it wasn’t the book I was expecting to arrive, but was welcome nonetheless.
It’s interesting how much Nigel Kneale influence makes in into the novel. I’d always say I was a fan of his work although, thinking about it, I may only ever have watched the original Quatermass trilogy (in both its TV and film versions) and The Year Of The Sex Olympics.
However, I had read ‘Minuke’ (mentioned in the pamphlet) quite recently, thanks to its inclusion in ‘Circles Of Stone: Weird Tales Of Pagan Sites And Ancient Rites’ (in the British Library ‘Tales Of The Weird’ series, this one edited by Katy Soar, 2023).
The climax of ‘Minuke’ reminded me of the finale of the BBC “as live” drama Ghostwatch (as did a key moment in ‘Who Killed GANTOB?’) but, in case you’ve not seen the TV programme, I won’t say why just now.
Anyway, the GANTOB novel is terrific: I read it down the launderette on Saturday afternoon and then again on the train up to London the following day. At least not EVERYONE in the story comes to a sticky end!
Of course, I would like to see a copy of ‘The 25 Paintings’ arrive in the post too one day, even if my previous 52 Pamphlets contributions and illustrations didn’t make the final edit.
I’m not feeling as desperate to see it as I was when I learned, from a reader, that I’d contributed to Bill Drummond’s ‘Biog 2024’/’Winning Is For Losers’ novella (Bill hadn’t passed that information on, so I had to chase down a copy via various Facebook groups).
And I’m sure I’m not feeling as disappointed as contributors to Bill’s ‘The Life Model’ must have done when a print edition didn’t come to fruition (twice!)
It’s not for completism’s sake. I know as a KLF fan I’ll never see, let alone own, a ‘Deep Shit’ flexi or plenty of their impossibly limited DJ promos and test pressings.
And I don’t even now hold copies of all the magazines etc I used to write for, having lent them back to friends and publishers or missed out on getting hold of them in the first place (I remember once bumping, unexpectedly, into an old friend in New York and she said “It was great to see you profiled inthe Guardian article the other weekend” – I’ve still no idea what that was about!)
It’s just, if ‘The 25 Paintings’ is, as described, GANTOB’s magnum opus, that’s got to be worth a look, especially if I did a bit in it.
If it had been GANTOB’s ‘The Black Room’ and never emerged, that would be worse I suppose!
Anyway, I hope when the dust settles on the strange incidents around the death of GANTOB, that the rest of ‘The 25 Paintings’ do indeed resurface and make their way to those who helped in its creation, albeit inadvertantly!
Right, gotta sign off and head to work now,
Catch up soon I hope,
stu
Gaynor’s contribution:
Before:
Dear GANTOB, Grapefruit, Gillian, Maureen whoever and whatever
I miss GANTOB. Where the devil is Gillian what am I having for tea ?
As a contributor to the 25 paintings book and with great consistency indeed included in the email of a GANTOB (ish) creation please may I have a copy of the book?
I just love it you know – thats all there is to it and I will accept this fantastic journey we have all been on will have come to an (whispers) end
I have loved it, found myself, accepted myself and let my lone ranger ride
Gaynor
After:
Just wanted to say book safely received
the sheer weighty ness
Opening it I’m just so overwhelmed to have been a part of this. Without you /them/ whoever
It would never have been
Who has the sheer grit to pull books off let alone this beauty ? You did
I’d forgotten all of this or maybe it was seeing it all together as one I don’t know? It’s truly amazing .
You made me brave
Thank you extremely sincerely
I’ve been inspired
By the pencil drawings from Bill’s writings
This week i’ll be sending some over for Little Grapefruit At Sea once I’m down from this cloud
Gaynor
Brechtian’s contribution:
Before
Aloha
Which is both a word for both hello and goodbye, and I think that’s a good match for the GANTOBesque GANTOBonian GANTOBness surrounding books, and the unburnt existence and locations thereof.
Late to the request and mural application I may be – I spy from Instagram that far more photogenic and poetic cases have been made by others far more talented than I (and that they seem to have successful) – I would still like to make my application and/or plea for a copy of the fine quality publication that is:
GANTOB’s 25 Paintings
My reason is simply that of wanting to continue, for as long as possible the adventure. Although I am behind on an earlier mention of typing up my contribution to The Life Model (and even extending it beyond the word count constraints), I still have plans to do these things, and when they are done, I’ll let people know about it.
I now realise there may be other things I am behind upon. I do remember submitting a jam jar photo for one thing, and an illustration of a big drum for something else. But I’m not sure now if these needed something else to follow up with. Penkiln Burn requests and GANTOB projects blend together like a cocktail of references, Mog books and Isle of Man train tickets. Throw in whatever KLF(RS) are up to these days, and it can be tricky to keep up, and perhaps, that’s the point….
I will be attempting a drawing for Little Grapefruit As Sea, once the desk is clear and the colour pencils are found.
Anyway, that’s all. Aside from a note that I feel I have a better chance of this request being approved than any of the books I backed via Unbound(*) seeing the light of day.
Aloha, hope all is as well as can be these days, and with regards,
Brechtian –
* – ex-book publisher which formally used crowd funding methods to get books published. They collapsed a few years back leaving some authors unpaid and backers out of pocket and with no books, much to a few grumbles.
After
Stephen Dorphin’s contribution:
Before
Dear GANTOB, what a journey this has been. Based on my earlier discovery and connection with GANTOB via the KLFRS axis and subsequent sporadic contributions to the GANTOB-verse – it feels only right that I too should submit my application to be added to the wall of shame mural of desperation.
Having been a lifelong obsessive of KLF and KLF-related culture especially Bill Drummond’s output in recent years – I have now taken part in crazy events, met delightful interesting folks and shared creations I could never have dreamt of.
Simply stated it has been a pleasure to be a part of (albeit on the fringes) of a collective of like-minded individuals interested in creativity inspired loosely by a common interest.
I would be most grateful if I was selected to be an honoured recipient of the magnum opus that is GANTOB’s 25 Paintings.
Yours fatefully, Stephen Dorphin
After
Dear GANTOB, thank you for the hefty tome that is GANTOB’s 25 Paintings. It arrived safely and although I have yet to delve in fully, Archie and I enjoyed flicking through the many pages full of wondrousness. I am inspired to try my hand at illustrating a chapter of LGAS – although I am still getting over my embarrassment at my drawing of The Life Model chapter (shared via the Penkilnburn website today) which I never envisaged would be seen by anyone other than Bill Drummond. Considering it was created as a template for a Bill Drummond wood cut and not a standalone drawing in its own right I feel slightly miffed that he’s seen fit to share it as is.
Nevertheless, onwards and upwards.
Kind regards, Stephen Dorphin
To which I would reply that I very much enjoyed Stephen’s illustrations, both for GANTOB’s 25 Paintings and the prototype for Bill Drummond’s GRAFFIC NOVEL.
Maureen, 3 April 2026
F’DA F’DA’s contribution
WANTED
(WITH A HINT OF DESPERATION)
A HARD BACK COPY OF: ’25 PAINTINGS WITH THE 52 PAMPHLETS’ by GILLIAN FINKS & PALS…
Dear Maureen,
After some time away from the world of GANTOB I was pleasantly surprised when a copy of ‘Who Killed GANTOB?’ fell through my letterbox a few weeks ago. After reading said kopy I find myself writing this applikation to be added to the ‘Mural of Desperation’, which will hopefully, on akceptance, result in myself finally receiving a hard back kopy of the now infamous ’25 Paintings With The 52 Pamphlets’ book…
The KLF(RS) Universe definitely works in mysterious ways!!! It has kreated a kollective of likeminded souls who kollaborate, kreate and kause Kaos & Konfusion, kombined with Klarity & Knowledge, and always with a sense of humour!!! Since GANTOB first reached out to me on 23 Nov 2023 when I was trying to appropriate some of her early pamphlets that were available at the ‘2023: The Krossing’ MuMufikation Ceremony, I have found myself falling down many a ‘K(LF(RS))-Hole’…
From my initial offerings as a GANTOB kontributor, via visits to both ends of the K-Line, Pre-Skool, 2025: Calling the Ancestors (Birkenhead Day of the Dead), and the (re)diskovery of the F-Line; An ancient powerline that stretches from Stanton Drew Stone Circle to a perpendicular konnektion spur on the K-Line. (Which lies between the villages of Maidford & Little Preston). I have fully immersed myself in all things KLFRS & GANTOBIAN, and, without much conviction, yet full of hope, I feel that I would be a worthy recipient of this magnum opus!!!
The KLFRS journey kontinues, at times it has been a beakon of light in my dark & depressive days…
Yes, I would love to receive a copy of GANTOB’S 25 Paintings. And belated thanks for “WHO KILLED G”. In exchange, I attach a photo of what I believe is the ONLY copy of Bill’s “60”. He did a unique talk in Birmingham on December 5th, 2013, about key books in his life – starting with Rupert! Towards the end he held up a copy of his manuscript for “60” and explained he didn’t know what to do with it. Then he said he would hand it to one of the audience, who should read it at leisure and email to advise him what to with it. He then handed it… to me!!
I did email my advice as requested (basically, to publish as a limited edition) but I think it turned out to be too complicated to publish, as it is basically a compilation of many of the emails he sent and received in 2013. Too many permissions required etc.
All good wishes,
Peter
Mary’s contribution:
Jane’s contribution:
Andrew’s contribution:
Maureen:
As one of the original people involved in the GANTOBverse I would like a copy for the following five reasons:
1. The bonding experience I shared with my youngest daughter.
Her anxiety issues were at a “non-leaving the house” height at the point of our original exchanges. The adventure inspired by our secret “book and pamphlet” drops in August/September 2023 were a massive help at that point in moving her mental health onwards and upwards.
She still talks about this adventure today and gets excited when a letter from ourself appears in the mail.
The Snip/Stick/Solve exercise added to that. We spent a whole day together on it. Her poorly but chipping in as she could and me floundering around but having great fun in the process.
2. Little Grapefuit
I believe part of the inspiration came from her engagement and involvement (though as someone in their mid fifty’s it could all be a jumble in my mind). She has always loved Little Grapefruit and the link between her and Little Grapefruit in your world has always been special to me.
3. You inspired me to write
I had never tried to write before but you manage to tease 400 words out of me for this project. I am very proud of that.
4. Regain a foothold in the Universe
Life has been tricky on the past 18 months and as you know I have struggled to engage with the GANTOB world. Life events, combined with the demise of Twitter, meant I lost my time/ease of engagement. As I try to reengage then having a copy would be highly appreciated and allow me to continue to inspire my youngest.
Art is a continued source of comfort to her (I have added some random examples at the end).
5. Who wouldn’t want a copy!
[I may be behind but I am getting there and I am excited to hang the original picture when I have my own space.. I have not forgotten that I still owe you for your kind Bill related gesture. If there is anything I can do for you in return please please do let me know]
Some recent art of hers ❤️
Kind regards,
Andrew
Mase Wister has submitted an application in 5 chapters, with 5 extraordinary images.
It is now time to post the final book from the 25 Paintings/ 52 Pamphlets project to international GANTOB contributors, ahead of the 23 February launch. UK copies in I do hope you enjoy it. So long and thanks for all the grapefruit.
Listening notes: hole up with an Onchidella celtica at a local pub and enjoy a slow session. Bring a fiddle, a penny whistle, an accordion or mandolin and join in.
Listening notes: select a version of Aztec Camera’s Oblivious (1983). Concentrate on the lyrics (do this from the safety of your own home, with the lights on, using speakers rather than headphones).
Listening notes: Search out We Could Send Letters by Aztec Camera. It’s the B side of indie hit Just Like Gold 1981, Postcard Records, Scotland (POSTCARD81-3). Roddy Frame recorded this at the age of 16. I hadn’t heard it before tonight. I was looking for something from Postcard Records because I wanted to avoid anything too obvious (e.g. Treacherous by Britney Spears).
It’s a long and complex song with striking shifts in tone and tune. Stick with it. I liked the lyric “We’re making tracks/ that show our touch and go”. A bit like Michelle the snail.
The chorus is a real leap in melody, with lyrics “Just close your eyes again/ Until these things get better”. And then I heard the guitar solo, and that was perhaps even better.
GANTOB blog 