Art Sex Music Paperback – May 1, 2017

I just finished reading Cosey’s book, and WOW. What an interesting woman. I love everything Throbbing Gristle, and I was anxious to read her story. When it arrived, there was a moment of doubt that I would be interested in only a small portion of the book, but that wasn’t the case. Sometimes autobiographies are difficult for me to fully enjoy, but this was a big exception. Her writing style is very accessible and fast moving. From her earliest years growing up, to meeting Genesis P-Orridge and joining COUM, her foray into the seedy world of pornography, eventually forming TG, and all that ensued, this was a fascinating page turner. The last autobiography I enjoyed this much was Mae West’s Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It(which is awesome if you can get your hands on a copy). The one big takeaway from this book is how big of a narcissistic, petulant child Genesis P-Orridge is. His actions throughout this book are so unsavory, it almost(ALMOST) turned me off to their music. That being said, he was a vital member to TG, even if not so much towards the end when he seemed more hell bent on sabotage and petty retribution. So, if you’re reading this right now, take my word for it. This is a one of a kind, inspiring look at a fascinating woman’s ever evolving life in art, sex, and music. Get it now!

I learned about Cosey from a tweet by Caroline Catz. I was already into synthesis since the 1980s. I love her story and the fact that she and Chris started the industrial music via their experimental effects and such. This coincided with my love of Modular among others. The fact that Throbbing Gristle was the original modular artists was interesting. I grew up with Suzanne Ciani and Wendy Carlos here in the USA, but never heard of Throbbing Gristle. I feel cheated somehow. Anyway, I thank Ms. Catz for tweeting about them. It was perfect timing for​ me as I have just started getting back into synthesis and listening to Throbbing Gristle was inspiring for me. I love the little modular box her husband Chris made for her. (Saw a video on it). Anyway, Ms. Cosey has led quite a colorful life. Thanks for sharing your story.

Fantastic book! I really felt like I got to know Cosey while reading this and most times had trouble putting it down as I was so drawn into her world and wanted to just keep reading.

cosey's work as a total artist is covered here in her own words. in addition we have also stories from her personal life growing up in Hull and the events leading to her becoming a professional artist. as a fan of TG primarily i hadn't bargained her story beyond TG would quite so interesting. fascinating even. the narrative is woven seamlessly between art and life in general because she truly has lived her art. but even at point where they diverge she keeps things moving along nicely.my main criticism coming away from the book is the treatment of genesis. i take her word that everything she says is completely true so the issue is not that i question her veracity. the issue is that after the period where they meet it seems the portrayal of genesis gets increasingly negative. given the facts i can see why. however i feel his contributions to their work together could or should have been recognized along with these faults. warts and all is fine as long as you don't forget the ALL.overall a great read about an interesting and singular artist.

Amazing book that gives a sense of what it was like to be an innovative artist that wasn't about hits. Also thrilled she went entire book without naming ex-'s band.

I've been a fan of Throbbing Gristle since around 1978. The town where I grew up in Port Huron, Michigan had a record store back then called Full Moon Records. They were reported by Chris Carter to have sold more TG records than any store in the United States and I happen to agree with that statement. The power and legacy of TG cannot be understated and Cosey Fanni Tutti was not only a founding member of the band but a powerful force in her own right. Her recording career is now into it's forth decade and she shows no sign of slowing down. Art exhibits, writing books and playing out as Carter Tutti keep her quite busy. This book is a beautiful memoir of those early days of TG. One that has a lot of ups and a lot of downs. Some may even say a little controversial. It's an amazing historical document that gives you an inside look into a mind that is constantly creating!! Highly Recommended!!Jeff Chenault

Great read into the history and stories of the early British, post-war industrial and alternative music scene, and a fascinating look into the personal life of Cosey, one of those early influential musicians and artists.

The author's meager talent and wooden personality contribute to a boring tale.

A fascinating insight into the life and times of Christine Newby (Cosey Fanni Tutti) , her work with COUM transmissions, Throbbing Gristle and her life as an artist and musician responsible in part for bringing Industrial music to the attention of the masses during 70s - 80s, told through her diaries and artifacts from there humble beginnings up to her joint work with Chris Carter, following the breakup of Throbbing Gristle in the early 80s.In particular her views on porn and the sex industry sheds a light few of us will ever experience, but none the less can view through the eye of the artists herself, the good the bad and the ugly.Her once deep relationship with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, and the destructive force brought about to control the direction, as well as those directly involved in the pursuit of the art they created, accumulating in a web of deceit and lies, which ultimately led to the demise of the collective works, but the beginning of a new era on the electronic music frontier. If your interested in art, music and the underground scene during the 70's through to the present day this book would be a valued addition to your library, a highly recommended read.

I was looking forward to reading this and roughly the first half was an interesting read. However, the author's relentless self-promotion began to grate a little. Every project she undertook was wonderful, every man she met fell in love/formed a strong bond with her. Other women are dismissed as 'slutty' and 'pathetic' when they do the same things she does. It's OK for the author to be a stripper, 'glamour' model etc because it's for a higher power, ART! I found it all a bit attention-seeking and immature. The author came across as desperate for male attention and validation. I didn't finish the book because I got bored with reading about yet another bloke falling for her, also the detailed descriptions of equipment built and used became very tedious.

I picked this up after I read Viv Albertine's glorious memoirs. Not quite as glorious but fairly entertaining this covers the life of Cosey Fanni Tutti from her childhood in Hull to her time with the ensemble 'Throbbing Gristle' and beyond. I really relished the sections recounting life in the damp squats of 70s Hull, as well as her general account of becoming an alternative artist when grants were plentiful. As well as when she talks in detail about her traumatic relationship with the monstrously ego-centric Genesis P-Orridge.Cosey often supported herself by working as a model in the adult soft-core porn industry as well as working as a stripper - she looks back on this without descending into moralising or regret. She channelled her experiences into a series of art works that toured a number of major European cities - I would have liked to know more about the concepts behind this work. Some fascinating material here although the book overall is a little uneven, Cosey writes more vividly about the past than the near-present, and this makes the final sections a little sketchy. Worth reading but not as polished as Viv Albertine's work.

An interesting insight into the life of Cosey Fanni Tutti, it covers her upbringing and her connection with the arts and their bizarre version of it , sex (not detailed) and the music scene, one of the things that always intrigues me is how someone can put up with a controlling relationship. Cosey tells of her love for Gen P Oridge and how he liked things done his way. Sometimes you just got to know when to walk away but for some this is easier said than done. It is an interesting read and there is a lot of information detailing Cosey's time with Throbbing Gristle and again Gens involvement. I'm sure that most people would just say f*** off to narcissistic people with an over developed ego, but this book does show that it is just not that easy.

This is an excellent read and I can only echo the more detailed reviewers above as to how well written and engrossing this book is. And this from someone who was never much of a TG fan -I always found the Grand Guignol aspects a little too contrived and overly negative, though I appreciate that's what TG were often about. Regardless, Cosey's life story is both eventful and her art has enough intelligence and sheer integrity that it rises above such issues, leaving readers with an at times brutally honest read and one of the few rock tomes that truly is essential.