Gen Ken Montgomery


Top Ten 8-Track Cartridges

1. Sparks - No. 1 In Heaven
Well actually the title is “The Number One Song in Heaven” – so technically this song is also on somebody's Top Ten list. I guess the title was too long because on the spine of my 8-Track it’s only written “NO. 1 IN HEAVEN”. I have an autographed copy of Propaganda on my wall with the tape wrapped all around it because my Lear 8-Track Player ate the tape a long time ago, so it doesn't play - otherwise I would have put it here on the top the list.

2. AMK - 8-Track is Magic
Specially made 8-Track made for me by the proprietor of Banned Productions in sunny California. Yes, it is magical.

3. George Carlin - FM & AM
I love this one because it plays fast and gives George a high warbled squeaky voice. Comedy reminds me of my roots. I actually liked comedy when I was young. I still like funny things but not comedy.

4. G.X. Jupitter Larsen and The Haters - 8-Tracks of Fury
What a perfect medium for The Haters. No need to worry about songs fading out from one program to the next. The 8-Track “click” fits perfectly with The Hater’s “click.” No noise reduction needed.

5. Wings- Wild Life
I would not listen to Wings on any other medium, and I wouldn’t listen to any other tape than mine because mine is so damaged that it sounds absolutely fabulous! Yes, the warbling misaligned stereo tracking sweeps unintended sounds from left channel to right like a car windshield wiper. It’s a beautiful thing to hear. I recorded this tape with all it's dysfunctional charm at Plastikville studio engineered by Lary Seven. Maybe it will come out oneday on Lary’s Belly Up label, if that idea ever floats.

6. Yes - Fragile
Yes just sounds perfect on 8-Track. It belongs.

7. 2001: A Space Odyssey
Loved the movie and love the soundtrack. I’ve play this one over and over again when I want to feel like I’m in outer space.

8. Iron Butterfly – In a Gadda Da Vida
Do I need to explain why this tape is in my Top Ten?

9. Gourmet Recipes for Your Easy Living
Produced by Direct Art Productions this is a gem collection of spoken recipes by luminaries of the avant-garde underworld produced in such DIY (cheap) style that the tape hisses and warbles like it was produced 2 decades earlier.

10. Hair – From the London Musical Production “Hair
Now don’t confuse this with the Original Soundtrack recording which I also like.Sorry, there’s no room on my Top Ten list for that one.


Gen Ken Montgomery is a New York-based patio artist whose involvement in the cassette-culture and mail-art led to the creation of Generator, New York City’s first sound art gallery, a hub for DIY sound freaks. As the Minister of Lamination (a.k.a. Egnekn) he is the world’s foremost practitioner of sonic Lamination Rituals. Montgomery’s music has been released on the finest labels in the world - Noise Below, Chocolate Monk, VOD, De Fabriek, Esplendor Geometrico, Staalplaat, Banned Productions, Firework Editions, XI Records, GD Stereo, Pogus, Tellus, Touch, XV Parowek, and Generations Unlimited.


Sean Conway


Random Top Ten

1. John Smith's 'The Black Tower' film
This film reminds me of the sort of things I think of.

2. Sunrise at Longbridge ex car factory works, Lucky Hill
October/November are the best times to see this sunrise. When I see it I think 'If I die now everything will be alright.'

3. Autumn
Frost & rusting nature, the beast season.

4. Whiskey/lager
My go to drink for sounds, visions and other people.

5. Mutual masturbation
Sex is complex, I over think it. This is my best option.

6. Rock crystals
Made by nature, not humans. Beautiful.

7. Driving on empty motorways
Empty motorway driving is how I imagine time travel

8. Being amongst strangers
Listening and watching others and fantasizing about their lives.

9. Fog
Once stood in a Welsh field in the thickest I have ever seen. Alone. It was beautiful.

10. Resin pyramid
Insects trapped in resin, are they psychic?


 Mr Conway has been a member of the Chocolate Monk family for years. First gracing us as part of Gas Sheperds, before taking off into orbit as part of the mysterious UFO ANtler band. he has recently been found dabbling in his Bedroom in Birmingham and has laid a couple of real head scratchers for the label under the guise of Plastic Hooligans.