Book of Shadowz return to the Fringe with their cult show Space Hippo – an epic sci-fi adventure told through live shadow-puppet animation. When the planet is dying, the only way to save it is to send a hippo into space. To prepare us for this interstellar adventure, they’ve put together a mixtape that is quite literally out of this world.
5 Years – David Bowie
David Bowie released this apocalyptic masterpiece in 1972 after his father warned him in a dream that he was going to die in five years. Despite being released 53 years ago, the song is as true today as it ever was. We’ve got five years. That’s all we got.
Mr. Spaceman – The Byrds
Who hasn’t dreamed of an alien rescuing us from the planet Earth? It might be our only hope. While the original version of this song is great, the emotional cover by Gonzo the Great, Rizzo the Rat and Jimmy Buffett always brings a tear to our eyes.
Signals From Saturn – Rose Du Bats
This obscure track from the sixties is about a woman who hears voices and believes they are being transmitted by a handsome alien with wavy hair, so she contacts the president and requests that he send a satellite to help her get a date. I hope it worked out for her.
Major Tom (Coming Home) – Peter Schilling
After introducing the character of Major Tom in ‘Space Oddity’, Bowie left us with a bit of a cliffhanger in ‘Ashes to Ashes’. Thankfully this German new wave banger helped fill us in on the Major’s activities while we waited for Bowie to bring him back in ‘Hallo Spaceboy’.
Barbarella – The Bob Crewe Generation Orchestra ft. Glitterhouse
An incredible theme song from our favourite science-fiction movie, starring academy-award winning actress and political activist Jane Fonda. It’s the best.
Destination Moon – The Ames Brothers
A classy tune about dressing up in your best clothes and going on a day trip to the moon. The album cover shows a picture of four dapper young men in tuxedos studying moon rocks in what appears to be a completely breathable atmosphere. The photo was taken ten years before the official moon landing. What is NASA not telling us?
Fireball XL5 Theme – Don Spencer
The theme song of the classic sci-fi marionette television show created by Jerry and Sylvia Anderson. We love a good puppet show but this theme song may be the most memorable part of this show. “My heart would be fireball, a fireball, every time I gaze into your starry eyes.”
Where No Man Has Gone Before – Leonard Nimoy (Alexander Courage)
Some of you may be too young to remember but popular recording artist and host of “In Search Of…” Leonard Nimoy, once starred on a little show called Star Trek. The success of this show among fans allowed him to release his first record: Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music from Outer Space which features this psychedelic number.
Space Hippo, Underbelly Cowgate, 31 Jul-24 Aug (not 19), 12.30pm