November, 2025
fiercely independent since 2004
Alex V. Cook : Music Editor
What can be said about Alex V. Cook that has not already been curiously tagged on the Dustbin of History? For money-makins, he's been a computer programmer for a baker's dozen of years and has been doing things on the Inter-web since he's been allowed to by its Keepers, but in his heart, he is a Cult Star. He's been producing his enigmatic self-taught artwork in a variety of media and has as of late, embarked on a musical journey, becoming a polymath of mediocre playing on a variety of innocent instruments. His love of music verges on the pathological in how he assumes its all meant to relate to him, that the errant MP3 from a long forgotten Johnny Cash album is a flashing blue light in the Kosmic K-Mart, alerting him of something special only he will understand. And, it's been said he is devastatingly handsome, but in actuality, wins the ladies over with his charm and rapier wit, and not because he is a doughy music nrrd and they smile with pity toward him.
Stories by Alex V. Cook
Adventures in the archives
Readers are Reading...
- Penny Kiley: The Outsideleft Sunday InterviewPunk Rock, Liverpool and Trying to be Me... Penny Kiley talks to Outsideleft
- Daren Garratt: The Outsideleft Sunday InterviewAcclaimed Black Country drummer Daren Garratt talks about a life in music with Pram, the Nightingales, the Fall and most recently David Lance Callahan
- Encounters: Shadow ColoniesBangkok electronica is on the up and up. Shadow Colonies are the latest band to feature in our Encounters series.
- Broken EnglishBuzz Eardrum attends a preview showing, with an added bonus....
- Witnessing A Grinding Putrefactive Spectacular As Pathologist's pioneering live video 'Grinding Putrefactive Spectacular' emerges for the first time on DVD, Jonathan Thornton catches up with Cyklo to explore the legacy of the Czech Republic's goregrind greats
- Mani Neumeier & AMGG: Celebrities of the WorldIt's the 20th Anniversary of Acid Mothers Guru Guru (Double Decade or Diend?). Richard John Walker celebrates with them at the U.F.O Club, Tokyo.
- Waiting for the music bug to biteSofia Ribeiro Willcox talks to Solihull's Manor House Records owner Mitchel Parkin about his love of vinyl.
- Outsideleft Week in Music Thanks You For Being A Friend with the ShitsWe're hearing from... The Shits, Mess Esque, Dad Bod, Steven Bernstein (ResoNation Trio), Pet Needs, Butthole Surfers, Croz Boyce, George Harrison, Cyrnai, deary, Lily Seabird, Sideshow, Gay Meat, Acid Mothers Guru Guru, Seb Lowe, Some Fear, Terry Edwards, Shape Navigator, Wire, Gus Englehorn, immerweiter, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, Love Ghost, The Pale White, Mamas Gun, They Might Be Giants, Slippers, Widowspeak
- As long as I can stay thinTim London reviews Kim Gordon's latest long player, 'Play Me'
- Lili Refrain: Channelling the NagaAlan Rider talks to the Rome based musical alchemist about ancient snake deities, stones and searching for truth behind your eyes.
WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT
If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]
ACTIVE WRITERS
Jonathan Thornton, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, A.I. House-Painter, Alan Rider, Ancient Champion, Hamilton High, John Robinson, Lee Paul, Max Swirl, Richard John Walker, Rose Busche, Adrian Goldberg, Tim Hammond, Alex V. Cook, David O'Byrne, Martin Devenney, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Tim London, Jeremy Gluck, Ogglypoogly, Tim Sparks, Lake, I AM ROYAL ART, Wayne Dean-Richards, Sheridan Coyle, Nige Meffen, Kleo KayCHERISHED HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTORS
Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alison Theresa Gibson, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Archibald Stanton, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Farren, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Lauren Frison, Lilly Pemberton, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marcus T. Blake, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Meave Haughey, Melanie Surfleet, Michelle Williams, Mickey, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, mrtimothyellis, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Nick Regan, Nicolas Ballet, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Pete Webb, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard Johnson, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, Tom Pratt, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Urs LerchFOUNDERS
Alarcon, LamontpaulHELP OUTSIDELEFT
Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]
WEEK IN MUSIC
Adventures in the archives
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