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.