Synopsis

Kula Shaker perform amid a surreal, retro-futurist landscape of swirling lights, mechanical imagery, and bizarre visual interruptions. The band are presented as psychedelic rock mystics, surrounded by theatrical figures and stylized props that give the video a comic-book, sci-fi atmosphere. Rather than following a conventional narrative, the clip builds a dreamlike collage around the song's collision of Eastern spirituality, heavy guitars, and apocalyptic imagery. Its deliberately extravagant look matches the track's grand, eccentric energy.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was released in January 1999 to promote "Mystical Machine Gun," the second single from Kula Shaker's second album, *Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts*.

• The single reached No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart. It followed "Sound of Drums," which had reached No. 3 in 1998.

• "Mystical Machine Gun" was produced by Crispian Mills and Bob Ezrin. Ezrin was known for major productions with artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, and Pink Floyd.

• The song appeared in several different single configurations. UK editions included "Avalonia," "Prancing Bride," and "Holy River," while some international editions substituted "Guitar Man."

• The track became associated with one of Kula Shaker's most memorable television appearances. On *TFI Friday* in 1999, the band performed it with Arthur Brown, who delivered the closing section while appearing with his head on fire.

• Crispian Mills later recalled that Brown had deliberately kept the flames modest during rehearsal, only allowing the effect to become spectacular during the live broadcast.

• The video arrived during a difficult period for the band. Although the album reached No. 9 in the UK, its commercial impact was notably weaker than that of Kula Shaker's 1996 debut, *K*.