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The Art of Incompleteness

One White Bit Rev Max Trinity Low Res

Witness the Rev Max's LIVE recording becoming a living artwork

Rev Max Half

An act of kindness?

Come to witness the Reverend Max Ripple at the Brookmill. Help him to turn the act of sound recording into a living art installation. Just lie back and enjoy the ride as Max 'transitions' a few humble songs and gags into a wondrous work of art. But remember - this is not just an opportunity to experience 'modern art' in Deptford. You will also be helping an elderly comedy vicar to create a unique pop record. A live album? Hey, dude, what's not to like?

Why are you doing this...?!

What will serious art audiences get out of this attention-seeking exercise? Of course, in art historical terms, they will be helping an elderly 1970's vicar to make a spectacle of himself. But fear not! Even brainy Deptford X types will find some of Max's avant garde poetry 'challenging'. And they will also be enchanted by his singing, dancing and feats of pedantry.

Is it suitable for an under-age audience?

  • WARNING: this stage act may contain vicarious material.
    • (Some of the sermons were conceived long ago, when what seemed quite kosher may be regarded as 'inappropriate' by today's snowflake generations.)
  • OUR ADVICE: Just get over it...(we had to).

What are the risks?

As all small children know, the best circus moments are when the tightrope lady misses her footing. No pain, no gain. Although there will be no clowns or trapeze artists at the Brookmill the good Reverend will be working with a completely untrained audience (i.e. 'congregation'). Lucky attendees who have signed the NDA form may even be roped into the recording process.

When does Max's housekeeper think the album will be ready?

Max's housekeeper (Agnes), looked long-suffering when we asked her this question. She is in high level talks with Fretsore Records to secure a major recording deal. A solo pop album should not take more than half a century to complete. "But the Rev. Max is a master procrastinator", she told us. "So completing anything on time would be a record..."

When does Max think the album will be ready?

When we spoke to Max himself he seemed doggedly enthusiastic. "I am already getting a strong whiff of success". he said. "I know I may be stepping into a pile of uncertainties but I am confident it will hit the fans by Christmas." We asked him whether he'd had feedback from the record company. "Statistically, while a number one may be unlikely, a record company executive recently said he could smell a number two."

Bookings

INCOMPLETENESS #1 One White Bit INCOMPLETENESS #2
Rev Max QR 17 7 25 One White Bit Rev Max QR 24 7 25
book Thurs 17th July One White Bit book Thurs 24th July

Who does he think he was?

What on Earth is taking The Reverend Max Ripple so long? In 1974, when Derek Taylor, Head of A& R at Warner Brothers Music, signed a big recording deal with Deaf School they were still emerging from the murky world of performance art. Taylor asked them to choose a career path. Did they want to be a rock 'n roll band or something more theatrical? They fudged the decision. Most of them matured as musicians and inspired other bands. Deaf School subsequently helped to launch the illustrious musical careers of Steve Allen (Enrico Cadillac Jnr), Anne Martin (Miss Bette Bright) Clive Langer (Cliff Hanger), Steve Lindsey (Avo) and Ian Ritchie. But the enormously talented Mr Ripple stood out as the one who didn't make it. Nonetheless, his sermons, songs and pedantry have remained a perennial, if inconsistent, feature of the band.

So how will I know if this is great art?

You won't. Art is meant to be perplexing and annoying, so nobody will know. Ha ha ha! Never mind. Whereas 'high art' exhibitions have tedious gallery openings this show will have a tad more razzmatazz. Let's face it - what do you usually get from a West-end Private View? Pristine white walls, cheap plonk and a room full of poseurs. The Rev Max refuses to abide by these dull, bourgeois conventions. Everyone who manages to stay to the end will go go home with a special badge and a signed pamphlet with poems and drawings. Hey, what's not to like?

What were the dates, again...?

The whole nail-biting process will evolve over two evenings.

    • Incompleteness #1 - is booked for the 17th July 2025.
    • Incompleteness #2 - will take place on 24th July 2025.

The Who?

  1. Musical conductor and arranger: (TBC)
  2. Accompaniment:
    • THE FRITZELS: (a speculative list, subject to agreement)
      • (TBC) Ian Ritchie is the Sextet's musical arranger & woodwind player. An original member of Deaf School, Ian has also worked as performer and producer with legends such as Roger Waters, Gary Numan and Laurie Anderson
      • (TBC) Bass player AVO (Steve Lindsey) is also an original member of Deaf School and made Top of The Pops with his band The Planets. As a producer and music publisher he has worked with luminaries such as Massive Attack, Pulp and U2.
      • (TBC) Trombonist Paul Taylor has also worked alongside some of the best in jazz, pop and classical music. Perhaps unsurprisingly he calls his unique blend of solo trombone and poetry trombone poetry.
      • (TBC) Etc.
  3. Record company: Fretsore Records (subject to contract)
  4. Studio engineer:
  5. Cinematographer: Alex Forsey

How Do I Get There???

Both shows will take place at the Brookmill upstairs) which is 3 or 4 mins walk from St Johns station - (only 2 stops from London Bridge). The Brookmill has a live train timetable behind the bar. Alternatively, Elverson Road DLR station is around 5 or 6 minutes walk and the last Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train going north is usually around 12:30 AM. You may extend the fun/danger of the evening by catching a late night bus.

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