A Biosecurity Threat?
- Kirk Field
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
When I chose planes, trains & amphetamines as the title of the sequel to rave new world I was warned it would limit marketing opportunities, "BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 won't touch you"
I had to laugh. "They dont touch me as it is! {Radio 6 may programme "90s days" and claim to celebrate rave culture, but despite rave new world being the most popular book covering the era, amassing over 12k + counting sales, 6Music have declined all approaches and never reviewed or mentioned my book which is part of the fastest growing genres in non-fiction, which is odd as their demographic - 'greyvers' basically - are exactly the people who enjoy my books}, so I figured I had nothing to lose by dropping "The A Bomb" : the name of a controlled substance, a family of stimulants which include ecstasy, cocaine and speed; all 3 of which are used in the culture I write about. Unlike the Superstar DJ memoirs (which are penned by ghost writers incidentally, and censored by their managements), my books are unflinchingly honest, unfiltered and authentically reflect my life and times: the good, the bad and the chemical.
So when all pre-ordered copies sent to my Aussie readers were seized by the Australian Border Force, I wasn't too surprised, after all the contents label said 'amphetamines'. One look inside should've been enough to rewrap it and send it on its way. But after 2 weeks "examination" (probably reading the NY sex club chapter and amputated arm story), the custodians of taste elevated my book to REDLINE status.
This is reserved for items which pose a potential biosecurity threat to the state of Australia; I googled it. Examples include asbestos, dubious Chinese vegetables and controlled drugs. After another 10 days - and after each reader submitted proof of purchase and a link to mine and the Velocity website, the books are finally being released!
"Its been known for controlled drugs to be imported in impregnated paper" was one reason given to justify the delay, while others reasoned th boys (and gals) in blue were too engrossed in the book to release it. So I've sent them a signed copy!
In 12 years of sending books down under both my publisher and distributor have never known a book to be impounded in this way, making planes trains & amphetamines OFFICIALLY the Most Wanted Book in Australia!
PTA AUDIOBOOK NOW AVAILABLE!
The audiobook for 'planes trains & asbestos' is now available on Spotify (free for Premium users) here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gSmlreKLLCyIllyrYuQk8?si=052d636710614b23
and the following platforms:
It should be on Audible soon. Ill send out an email to you and post on my socials when it is.
FREE CHAPTER!
Here's an exclusive for subscribers-only chapter : (WARNING: contains Royal poo):
Listen here!
ON TOUR
My new show rave new world:LIVE! will be touring this autumn; expect history, humour and hedonism plus some musical mischief, poetry and even a song. Confirmed: Tues Oct 7th Barrow Town Hall (homecoming gig), Fri Oct 24th Faversham Fringe (Arden Theatre), Sun Sun 16th Nov, Shiiine On (Weston Super Mare), with more dates TBA.
AVOID AMAZON, SUPPORT INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS BY BUYING DIRECTLY FROM www.ravenewworld.co.uk OR THE VELOCITY PRESS SITE: https://rb.gy/1ld3z8
We're All Going On A ...
Finally: an exclusive look at BEEFFA ledge StAn AnTOniO's summer single: a reworking of Cliff's classic with Turkey teeth, tattoos and skinny jabs: https://youtu.be/jtcyAvxYmnA
Have a great holiday, pls send me a pic if you take pta with you. The best one wins a RNW t-shirt!
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