interviews
Guitar World, march 1995
report on the Enigma
by Neil Strauss
februari 1995
Revenge of Publius
Back in June, Pink Floyd fans on the Internet found their discussion on the Usenet newsgroup alt.music.pink-floyd rudely interrupted by an interloper who identified himself as "Publius". Using cryptic, melodramatic phrases, Publius proclaimed that hidden clues in the band's "The Division Bell" album artwork, music and lyrics comprised a riddle - an Enigma' - and that there was a unique reward' in store for the person who unraveled it. For two months, Publius bedeviled Floyd followers with his droppings, and was dismissed as a loudmouthed lunatic - until, three days after Publius promised a public sign of his truthfullness', the words ENIGMA PUBLIUS' appeared in the stage lights during a Pink Floyd concert at New Jersey's Meadowlands Arena. Since then, newsgroup followers have been electronically tracking Publius and his clues, trying to solve the musical mystery that may or may not even exist. The band, meanwhile, will neither confirm nor deny anything related to the entire phenomenon.
Enigma sleuths were given another very public, very cryptic clue to investigate at the band's October 27 [should be 20th, ES] Earl's Court show in England, which was broadcast as a Pay-Per-View special in the U.S. on November 1. At the beginning of Another Brick in the Wall (part II)', the word "ENIGMA", printed in large, spiky black letters and surrounded by seemingly random mathematical equations, appeared on a transparency projected behind the band, only to be hastly scribbled out by a phantom hand seconds later. Once again, the mysterious messenger Publius had predicted this new signal in the Usenet group long before its appearance on stage. Days after the Earl's Court incident, fans reported the words "Enigma Publius" cropped up in a new artwork accompanying the recently released A Momentary Lapse of Reason' MiniDisc, and that, when played backwards, a passage in Lapse's "Sorrow" sounds uncannily like "Enigma Publius".
"These signals were very conclusive", says enigma-tracker Craig McGee. "With the connection to "A Momentary Lapse of Reason", it looks to me like the enigma is an idea the band had years ago that is just now panning out".
Meanwhile, Publius himself posted more encouragement to the newsgroup on Sunday, November 27. The message held a hidden anagram which, decoded, spelled POLES APART, the title of a track from "The Division Bell".
Are Publius and his Enigma on the level, speaking surreptitiously on behalf of Pink Floyd? Or is the band only getting involved now, capitalizing on the unexpected attention and milking the mystery for all it's worth? For the latest information, theories and clues, read the Usenet newsgroup alt.music.pink-floyd (you'll need Internet access through America Online, CompuServe, Delphi or an independent local provider) and watch for messages with "Publius" in the subject line.
march 1995
