12-16-2015

Setlist:
1. Black Panties - No Manners
2. Swell Maps - New York
3. Women In Prison - Suicidal Exit
4. Church Police - The Oven Is My Friend
5. SPK - Slogun
6. Ascension - 7
7. Breathing Problem - Strange And Violent Dreams
8. Swallowing Bile - Untitled

Black Panties - "No Manners"
Off the "I Don't Care About Punx" cassingle, released on Lumpy Records in 2013.
Part of the superb and degenerate Lumpy crew, Black Panties are a regular on the prestigious Lumpy Records, but have also had releases on Windian and Total Punk. Black Panties, as far as I can tell, is formed out of members from different Punk bands in their area, most notably Shaved Women and Violations, (who released 1 demo tape on Lumpy in 2013.) Black Panties, must like their Lumpy Records contemporaries, make ultra-insane fucked garage punk with a no-fi sound and degenerate aesthetic. Woo!

Swell Maps - "New York"

Off the "...Jane From Occupied Europe" LP released on Rough Trade in 1980.
Previously featured on 10-9-2015.
A classic of Art Punk, Swell Maps made loud, rude and ear-damaging Art Punk songs. Their sophomore LP "...Jane From Occupied Europe," takes some more experimental edges on the songs, (unlike their first LP, A Trip To Marineville, which was mostly punk songs) many of the songs being lyric-less instrumental works, with some bangers like "Helicopter Spies" thrown in.
This specific take of "New York" is only included on the expanded CD edition of the album. 

Women In Prison - "Suicidal Exit"

Off the 2010 (?) Demo, self released.

More Shit-Fi punk here! Women In Prison are a group hard to dig dirt up on - between one single released in a short run of 60 copies and this mysterious demo which I can't find anywhere, (only on youtube, bless the uploader) Women In Prison present fucked and drunken noisy punk tunes that have trouble keeping themselves together.

Church Police - "The Oven Is My Friend"

Off the "Not So Quiet On The Western Front" V/A LP released on Alternative Tentacles in 1982.
One of the more famous tunes off Maximum Rock N Roll's classic comp, "The Oven Is My Friend" was a choice song taken from a Church Police demo tape and put onto the comp. Formed in Concord, the 4 members recorded their first and only demo tape in a San Fran townhouse basement, and with heavy influence from Flipper and Fang - Church Police produced a thundering, scary and ominous brand of Punk made up of guitar feedback, fuzzed out bass notes, reverbed drums and lyrics about mental disassociation with everyday life. 
After their break up in the early-mid 80's, the group would release old recordings of their other songs, in the form of singles, comps - you get the idea. But none of their songs ever amounted to the popularity and craziness of "The Oven Is My Friend."

SPK - "Slogun"
Off the "Factory" EP released on Side Effects Records in 1979.

A classic slice of Industrial music, Australia's SPK were many peoples entry into the world of industrial music - less free-form then TG and more ass-kicking then Cabaret Voltaire, SPK balanced noise with actual song-writing. SPK's first single and release, "Slogun," is among some of their most abrasive work, sometimes falling into the territory of full on noise.

Ascension - "7"

Off the "Five Titled" CD released on Shock in 1994.

When a conversation about "Free-Jazz Rock" takes place, the name "Ascension" usually pops up. One of the best kept secrets of noise music, Ascension was Noise Rock with a big emphasis on the Noise aspect - and that noise came in the form of EAI and Free-Jazz. Clearly inspired by Brotzmann, Ayler, AMM and Coltrane, the group never really goes full on Free Jazz or full on Noise Rock, but balances the two with a certain amount of mastery that is hard to find in a genre most commonly associated with insane and extreme themes and concepts. (I mean, just look below!) 
Formed in the UK in the early 90's, Ascension is Jazz 'fer the cool kids, trust me.

Breathing Problem - "Strange And Violent Dreams"
Off the "Mattress On The Floor" Cassette Tape released on Breathing Problem Productions in 2009.
Breathing Problem is a somewhat recent Power Electronics group from Austin, Texas. Formed by Rusty Kelley, (a veteran of the Texas music scene, having been in about half a dozen groups, Total Abuse probably being the most well known) Emelia McKay and Mason Tucker, (Tucker is no longer in the group, and is not on this release, memory serve me right.) the group specializes in American PE with more emphasis on making walls of unforgiving sound then say, trying to seem foreboding.

Swallowing Bile - "Untitled"
Off the "Swallowing Bile / Magia Nuda" Split tape released on Solar Temple Tapes in 2014.
Swallowing Bile is Breathing Problem's formula taken to an uncomfortable extent: 15 minute power drones of sharp rigid noise that shift and change over time, but still sound like heavy machinery and broken dreams. Music for the scumfuck inside of all of us.

12-10-2015

Setlist:
1. Protomatyr - I Forgive You
2. Ursula Bogner - Begleitung Fur Tuba
3. Ronald Shannon Jackson And The Decoding Society - Spanking
4. Foot Hair - King Of Scum
5. Cave Men - It's Trash
6. Troy Schafer - B
7. Blood From The Air - Rites Of Harmony
8. Smegma - Variations VII

Protomartyr - "I Forgive You"

Off the "Agent Intellect" LP released on Hardly Art Records in 2015.

Although it's not the best album of 2015, (Some reviewers and journalists have been putting this pretty high on their end of the year wrap up lists) Protomartyr are a pretty solid Post-Punk group from Detroit; active since the early 2010's. Mixing 80's Post-Hardcore with Post-Punk Revival and the gruffer side of Indie Rock (yeah, right) into one collective sound, Protomartyr take a refreshing yet familiar approach to their sound.
With lyrics mostly about Detroit and other Contemporary subjects, it's clear that they're no Jack Brewer or Arthur Rimbaud, but the lyrics suit the music just fine; and that's really what matters.

Ursula Bogner - "Begleitung Fur Tuba"

Off the "Recordings 1969-1988" album released on Faitiche in 2008.

Previously featured on 11-5-2015.

The strange and amazing story of Bogner has already been discussed here; but in short, Ursula Bogner was a German Pharmacist and in the late 60's during her time in college she became interested in music created by synthesizers, sequencers and the likes. And for the rest of her life, she'd record synth experiments and songs as a hobby. And over 40 years later, her recordings were unearthed by Jan Jelinek and published in compilation pieces on the "Faitiche" label.
While most of Bogner's work is mind-crumbling Space Synth work, this is a more martial sounding song, complete with rudimentary sounding Tuba's and other solid synth work.

Ronald Shannon Jackson And The Decoding Society - "Spanking"

Off the "Mandance" LP released on Antilles records in 1982.
A forgotten classic of 80's Free Jazz and Jazz Fusion, Ronald Shannon Jackson and his group, The Decoding Society, are focused on producing loud yet groovy jazz. With Jackson on drums, Melvin Gibbs on bass, (who would go onto work with Arto Lindsay) Vernon Reid on guitar, Zane Massey and Lee Rozie on Saxophone David Gordon and Henry Scott play the trumpet; Jackson's world class Jazz ensemble is what makes The Decoding Society's fourth LP "Mandance" a real treat. Jackson's style of drumming makes the horn and string section sound even more impactful, blasting away some sweet jazz beats.
Good stuff.

Foot Hair - "King Of Scum"

Off their S/T LP released on Box Records in 2015.

An absolute must for any fan of Noise Rock, Foot Hair, hailing from the UK, are all about repetition, noise and being unforgivingly heavy. Instead of shitty shredding and jerk off solos, Foot Hair hit the listener hard with noisy and scuzzy 3 chord progressions, whirring noise, yelled vocals, while the bass and drums plow through the chaos. A must for any fan of Drunks With Guns, Church Police, Flipper or No Trend.

>> Bandcamp <<

The Cave Men - "It's Trash"

Off the "It's Trash / The Pillow Bit" single released on 'Chelle Records in 1966.
IT'S TRASH! One of the earliest examples of punishingly loud and abrasive Garage Rock, "It's Trash" is short and to the point - clocking in at 2 minutes and 5 seconds, The Cave Men completely rock it out in the most atonal way possible, well, as atonal as you could get in '66. With a stone-cold great rhythm and some Acid-Dazed guy screaming his guts out, it's hard to argue with this.

Troy Schafer - "B"
Previously featured on 11-27-2015.
Off the "Untitled No. 1" Single, released on Signal Dreams in 2014.

More abstract and squealing violins - how fun! Schafer has a reputation for his Improvisational noise made from self-made equipment, and his recent releases of Untitled tapes and singles precedes that. And keep your eyes extra-peeled for his next release coming out on the ultra-DIY Round Bale Recordings label.

Blood From The Air - "Rites Of Harmony"
Off the "Rites Of Harmony" single, released via bandcamp in 2012.
Named after the Coil song, Blood From The Air is a now seemingly defunct project that specialized in "Glitchy Electronica Dubstep Bullshit." Although clearly not dubstep (which is the joke after all) BFTA makes walls of rhythmic industrial noise as Monolithic voices speak in bassy, loud waves. Throbbing Gristle meets Ramleh meets existential drones? Woo!

>> Bandcamp <<

Smegma - "Variations VII"
Off the "Mutant Stomps" LP, released on Helicopter Records in 2014.
Long time running experimental ensemble Smegma have blessed us with 5 albums in the past 2 years, the most prominent of which being the bizarre "Mutant Stomps." Super weird sound collages and clangs of junk instruments fill the audio landscape - resembling 50's musique concrete and other forms of whack music. Some of the album was recorded at random points in the 70's, but this track, Variations VII, was recorded a year before release. Smegma's output is reliant along old 70's recordings and new recordings, usually all fucked. It's quite interesting that I've neglected to feature Smegma on here, but I'm glad that I've changed that.

12-3-2015

Setlist:
1. Etat Brut - Helicoptérés / Intro
2. Lärmschutz - Eland Rip On
3. C.Y.S.T - Alazif IA IA IA IA
4. Blue Sabbath Black Fiji - Meat Heat
5. Naked City - Snagglepuss
6. Billy Bao - Fun House
7. The Gerogerigegege - Yasukuni Jinga Part 1 
8. D.forma - unplayedtrack03

Etat Brut - "Helicoptérés" / "Intro"
Off the "Geometrie D'un Assassinat" tape, self released in 1982.
'Helicoptérés' and 'Intro' are the first two tracks (Intro being the second track) on their 3rd tape, Geometrie D'un Assassinat. The Belgian duo supposedly made up of 2 Science teachers named Philippe are what makes up Etat Brut, although Club Moral member Danny Devos is a collaborator here; although his role is not explained.

Lärmschutz - "Eland Rip On"
Off the "Nadir en Pol" album released via bandcamp in 2015.
What is considered to be "Psychedelic Anarcho-Punk Jazz," Lärmschutz specialize in off-the-wall and confusing music. Hailing from Utrecht, Population 311,000 and located near the middle of the Netherlands, Lärmschutz have been producing this sound since last year, and have 9 releases out - some real hard workers.

>> Bandcamp <<

C.Y.S.T - "Alazif IA IA IA IA"
Off the "4/21/15" tape released via bandcamp and Danvers State Tapes in 2015.
Bleak, dreary and noisy to the max - that's C.Y.S.T's formula. Progressing in a very Free Form way, the sound is made up of sharp textures of feedback amongst reverbed bass, drums and unintelligible vocals. The vocals, much like the song titles, are probably from an archaic language or a made up one, a way to add to the aesthetic and reflect the sound.

>> Bandcamp <<

Blue Sabbath Black Fiji - "Meat Heat"
Off the S/T album released on Ozonokids records in 2006.

Previously featured on 7-31-2015 and 9-17-2015.
Somewhat of a favorite of mine, BSBF's discography is made up of nonsense noise, crazy guitars and an overall feeling of psychedelia and acid damage.
Formed by Frenchman Charles Lavenac and Jenin Benecke from Scotland, the duo have been producing crazed Noise since 2006, but have seen a decline in activity over the recent years, for who knows what. 

Naked City - "Snagglepuss"
Off the "Naked City" LP released on Nonesuch Records in 1990.
Part of the "Avant-Canon," Naked City's S/T record (most often credited to Saxophone player John Zorn, who composed the album) is a total explosion of otherness, mixing soft Lounge tunes with blasts of grindcore energy that wither in and out. Some songs take a total "Jazzcore" approach and blast hardcore Sax-fueled energy for a couple dozen seconds at a time. Definitely one of the strangest listening experiences for most, this album combines the familiarity of lounge and surf rock music and mixes it with the drive and abrasive stylings of Hardcore and Noise Rock.

Billy Bao - "Fun House"

Off the "Buildings from Bilbao" LP released on A Burka For Everybody Records in 2012.
Billy Bao has been making moves as a trio since the early 2000's, known for their difficult style and off-the-wall aesthetic, mixing Industrial, Punk and Noise aesthetics, something that has become common in Billy Bao's wake.
Hailing from Spain, Billy Bao is the frontman, so much so that the band is named after him. Here, Billy Bao mixes Noise Rock with Free Jazz and a beautifully annoying start-stop sequence that lasts for 8 minutes - this is something to pull inspiration from.

The Gerogerigegege - "Yasukuni Jinga" (Part 1)
Off the "Yasukuni Jinga" single released on Membrum Debile Propaganda Records in 1996.

Much has been said about The Gerogerigegege, as they have become a cult-favorite of the world wide noise community. Even before the popularity of the internet, The Gerogeri amassed a following in the late 80's and early 90's, mostly due to their insane live shows (often involving mutilation, nudity and masturbation.) and expanse across multiple genres, (from Hardcore to Harsh Noise) the Gerogeri was formed by and revolved around Juntaro Yamanouchi, and early on Gero-30 (Tetsuya Endoh) would become a staple member, often parading nude and flaunting his love for exposure and 'homosexual urges.'
Although the Gerogeri were outcasted by Japan's Punk scene and it's infant Noise scene, The Gerogerigegege were formed around and based around a Gay S&M club in Tokyo, often playing their crazed and abrasive shows at gay clubs, the only place that would accept their "performance art."
Although the Gerogerigegege made everything from Rock to Ambient to Harsh Noise, 'Yasukuni Jinga' is straight up Power Electronics. Have fun!

D.forma - "unplayedtrack03"
Off the "Amplia Grey" LP released on Lovethechaos records in 2011.

D.forma is a Ambient / Drone project conceived by Barcelona-based Noise extraordinaire Mario G. Ferrer. Abrasive and challenging yet soothing, D.forma's style, aesthetically and musically, calls back to the ultra-DIY style of late 70's and early 80's drone / noise, (think Nurse With Wound, Esplendor Geometrico, Throbbing Gristle's dark ambient work) yet still maintaining a modern and forward thinking sound.

11-27-2015

Setlist:
1. Zone Demersale - Il Fuori
2. 71 | 100 | 77 - 151012 - 000 - Fragile Drones
3. Paskal - Untitled 12-15
4. Troy Schafer - A
5. Family Underground - Feather Of The Sun
6. Rotten Youth - Does Suicide Hurts
7. Panabrite - Moongate

Zone Demersale - "Il Fuori"

Off the "Motore Primo" LP, released on Boring Machines in 2015.

Made up of Michele Ferretti (Nublium) and Pietro Riparbelli, (20 Buck Spin) the Italian duo have been collaborating under the name 'Zone Dermersale' since about last year. According to the duo themselves, all music is made by vintage hardware, using old radio receivers, 'Jen' brand synths, multi-tapedeck sample boards and old loopers. Very minimal, Zone Demersale's music has an aesthetic, sonic and philosophical aim towards "minimalism, transcendental spiritualism, and cosmic music," as they put it. The records packaging is pleasingly minimal, about 90% of the back being just a gray background. And at the end of the day, the Demersale excel at one thing: minimalism. 

71 | 100 | 77 - "151012 - 000 - Fragile Drones"

Released on the groups Soundcloud in 2015.
Fragile is quite a fitting name for this song, and at large, for many of 77's releases. Sounding like its a million miles away, 77's drones reflect imagery of Arctic snow storms, baron deserts and the middle of the ocean. In opposition to 77's soundcloud contemporaries that pride themselves on how harsh and dark the content is, 71 | 100 | 77 aims for the same feelings in a different way; lonely metropolitan streets and empty metro trains reaching their stop is the mental image, and it's as fragile as a feather.

>> Soundcloud <<

Paskal - "Untitled," Pts. 12-15

Released on the groups soundcloud in 2014.
4 tracks seamlessly interlocked into one drone, Paskal's "Untitled," series spans a ways, (as is the norm for this aesthetic and style) but Untitled Pts 12-15 take the same beat and put minimal sound-scapes over it, keeping the sound droning, familiar, flowing and somehow, captivating. After standing up from listening to this, you may feel like you're floating a few inches above the ground. Spectacular stuff.

>> Soundcloud <<

Troy Schafer - "A" 

Off the "Untitled, No. 1" 7", released on Signal Dreams in 2014.

Troy Schafer has been make the rounds of the Noise world as a solo artist since 2009 or 2010, using self-made set ups and production techniques to exhibit his unique sound. With his Untitled 7" from last year, Schafer has devised a complex system of mixers, machines and the like in order to help in produce his desired Violin sound. When spinning this for the first time, the composition and flow reminded me of Peter Brotzmann or AMM, reaching peaks of shrill sounds and calm down periods, and doing so in an unpredictable way. 
And make sure to catch Troy Schafer's upcoming release, coming out on Round Bale Recordings in the coming months.

Family Underground - "Feather Of The Sun"

Off the "Smittekilde #9" Compilation LP released on Smittekilde Records in 2005.
Previously featured on 8-15-2015.
European drone extraordinaires Family Underground have been at it for over a decade, and show little sign of giving up. The Danish trio have been one of the most consistent acts in Mid-European noise and experimental, releasing multiple albums a year since 2003 and appearing on some of the best drone V/A comps in recent memory. "Feather Of The Sun" is the second song on the D-side, and although many double albums have lackluster D-sides, the Family Underground really bring it here. More short-winded then most of their works, (I own 2 albums by them, 'Riven' which has 2 twenty minute drones and 'Familiar Places,' with 4 ten minute drones) the 4 minute 36 second song seems oddly short for them, especially in 2005. FU were a strict drone group until the past couple years, seeing them move into 4 to 7 minute songs; although this song shows that they have been capable of doing such for decade. Definitely a band that needs to be heard, their signature ominous whirring sound sculptures and disregard for listen-ability.

Rotten Youth (aka Non-Human) - "Does Suicide Hurts"

Released on the groups soundcloud in 2015.
A 12 minute power-drone with some 9/11 operator calls, (or at least that's what it sounds like) Rotten Youth takes the volume level of Whitehouse, the tape collages of Sotos, the rhythmic punch of Esplendor Geometrico and mixes it into noisy drones touching on the dark corners of 1st world society. A weird trend that can be analyzed is that Rotten Youth love to start a song with a rhythm, and within a few seconds cut to a period of silence; before the song actually starts. Don't know what that's about, but it works.

>> Soundcloud <<

Panabrite - "Moongate"

Off the "Illumination" tape released on SicSic in 2011.
An alias for Norm Chambers, the Seattle act constructs ambient synth-scapes, using progression and minimalism to hit a point of transcendence. Like Schafer, Panabrite has been making music out of self-made arrangements since about 2010, and has turned the heads of tape-based Record labels; and it's not hard to see why. 

11-22-2015

Setlist:
1. Art Guy - Where You Wanna Go
2. Children's Hour - Slaughterhouse 
3. Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft - Muskel Kraft 
4. Dawn Of Humans - Horse Blind
5. Occult - Slaughterhouse
6. Treatment - Watched
7. Alberich - Infrared Commando
8. Stephen Cornford - Pinched Tapes #1

 Art Guy - "Where You Wanna Go"

Off the "Teenage Millionaire" single released on Valiant Records in 1966.
Not-too-experimental Garage Rock from 1966, Art Guy is a group with no names attached. Only releasing one 7" in 1966 (which was marked as being promotional,) we may never know more about the group. Oddly enticing.

Children's Hour - "Slaughterhouse" 
Off the "Flesh" 12" EP released on Flying Nun Records in 1983.
New Zealand's 'Children's Hour' took the aestheticism of Death Rock and merged it with the budding genres of No Wave and Noise Rock. The result is a disorientating, atmospheric and confusing mixture of sound from 4 very strange men.

Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft - "Muskel Kraft"
Off the "Live Weisbaden Wartburg 18.6.1981" tape.

Cult band DAF, from Germany, have seen many bootleg tapes through the years but the "Live Weisbaden Wartburg" tape has to be the best.

Dawn Of Humans - "Horse Blind"

Off the "Slurping At The Cosmos Spine" released on Toxic State in 2015.
Quirky modern art punk a la Lumpy And The Dumpers or the Minneapolis Uranium Club Band. Fun while it lasts.

>> Buy here <<

Occult - "Slaughterhouse"

Recorded in 1985 and released on the "Occult / Agathocles" split on Not Very Nice Records in 2007.

I don't know what to say, really. A 1 minute track off their 1 minute and 30 second demo (the 30 second track being "Bloodthirsty,") Occult is a common band name in the metal world, but this is something far from common. Some weird type of Blackened, Grindy metal featuring a drum, what sounds like a bass and a VERY agitated vocalist is what makes up this recording. In the 30 second masterwork "Bloodthirsty," the vocalist yells "Hail Satan, Hail Satan... I want you to die!" 
Weird to think this recording is 30 years old. If only we knew where these gentlemen ended up.

Treatment - "Watched"

Off "Tape 1," released at an unknown date.
Most easily compared to The Coneheads, (featured on 9-22-2015) Treatment's aesthetic combines skate punk with late 70's art punk and the DIY. The sound is also similar. Playing shows yet remaining oddly distant and reclusive, who knows were treatment will lead us.

Alberich - "Infrared Commando"

Off the  "NATO Uniformen" LP, released on Hospital Productions in 2010.
Combining the flow and rhythm of EBM with the menace of Power Electronics and Death Industrial comes Alberich, a new-comer in the decade ole genre and somehow able to bring a new sound to the table. Minimal Synth beats between booming vocals and stirring mixers provide an outlandish, yet refreshing experience in an often stagnant genre. Alberich's creativity and visionary style have led some to call it "Heavy Electronics."

Stephen Cornford - "Pinched Tapes #1"
Off the "Pinched Tapes #1" tape released independently in 2009.
Merging a string recording by John Cage with a tape of Jack and The Beanstalk, Cornford's tape, limited to 6 copies, combines a weird feeling of nostalgia and loneliness. Something to be expected from Cornford.

11-11-2015

Setlist:
1. Jokers - All Wrong
2. Half Japanese - Girls Like That
3. The Silver - Popper
4. Wheelz Of Steel - Why Me / Thrills
5. Adjéèf The Poet And Friends - Iekk! I'm A ... Freak
7. The Shadow Ring - Basic Everyday Life
8. Z - Violence Action
9. Kaoru Abe - Alto 2

Jokers - "All Wrong"

Off their S/T LP, recorded in 1972, released on Fading Sunshine Records in 2011.

From Tehran, Iran - Jokers were a Heavy Psych trio with tripped out and crazed blues rhythms drowned in reverb and wah, backed by simple yet great bass and drumming. The record crowns them as "Iran's Psychedelic Treasure" - and I'd say they deserve that title.

The record itself is short on names, simply saying that the members are Vaheed, (guitar, vocals) Comran, (bass) and Afshin (drums) - looks like we may have another Silvers-esque manhunt on our hands!

Half Japanese - "Girls Like That"

Off the "1/2 Gentlemen / Not Beasts" album released on Armageddon Records in 1980.
Previously featured on 8/9/2015.
A cult band, Half Japanese have done everything in the book, well, nearly. Their early Noise Rock days in "1/2 Gentlemen / Not Beasts" would largely influence modern Noise Rock. Half Japanese - love 'em!

The Silver - "Popper"

Off the "Do You Wanna Dance?" single released on Black Label Series Records in 1980.

Previously featured on 8/20/2015.
After my previous entry on The Silver, I'm afraid I don't have much to add. Weird, outsider and outlandish kiddy noise rock from Finland, ya dig? I know I dig it. Their happy and fun-filled A-Side, "Do You Wanna Dance?" meets a dark contrast in comparison to "Popper," the gloomy and somewhat Throbbing Gristle-esque B-side.

Wheelz Of Steel - "Why Me / Thrills"

Off the "Volume 1" LP released independently in 1983.

No clue what to think about this one - Wheelz Of Steel have a reputation in the deep corners of the internet as being "so horrible it's life changing" and "so mentally depraved it's actually scary." Consisting of 2 brothers from Milwaukee - Richard and Raymond Markowski. Also, both of them are dead - just too add more wood to the depressing fire.

Adjéèf The Poet And Friends - "Iekk! I'm A ... Freak"
Off the "Iekk! I'm A ... Freak" single released on Action Records in 1967.
Odd? Yes! Adjeef The Poet was a pseudonym for Ad Visser, from the Netherlands. His first recorded effort, Visser would later become a Media Personality in the Netherlands, recording educational and childrens albums in the late 80's and early 90's. Strange man! 

The Shadow Ring - "Basic Everyday Life"
Off the "Hold Onto I.D." album released on Siltbreeze Records in 1997.
A batshit mixer and an out of place mixer looms under Graham Lambkins spoken word dialogue. With the mood and atmosphere that lurked on songs such as "Persuasion," (Throbbing Gristle) "Grapefruit," (DNA) and such other classics, most notably "The Gift" (The Velvet Underground).
With a menacing and disassociative feeling, it's not quite hard to see why The Shadow Ring have become a cult band.

Z - "Violence Action"
Off the "Violence Action" Flexi-Disc released on Z Records in 1988.
A barrage of Noise and feedback, Z's output is small - one flexi, one split and one tape. The production seems to be a mishap, what was clearly aimed to be a Crust Punk / Anarchopunk EP came out as a collage of shredding noises. What sounds like a fire alarm harmonizing with a blow dryer, this strange relic of Japanese Punk is not something to be forgotten.

Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - "Veterans Day Poppy"
Off the "Trout Mask Replica" LP released on Straight Records in 1969.
Fitting, isn't it?

Kaoru Abe - "Alto 2"

Off the "Thursday Night / Live 1972.7.13" album, released on PSF Records in 2003.

Kaoru Abe (pronounced like Kaw-Ru Ah-Bay) was a Japanese Alto Saxophonist most known for his solo improvisational pieces. Dying quite young due to what is believed to be drugs, Abe's style was more desperate than Ayler and more endurant than Kirk, if you can believe such a thing. Well known for having 30 minute long pieces, this is a shorter one of his works.