Japan, Noise, Rock, KK Null, Acid Mothers Temple, Ruins; Rare CD (1991) Public Bath Records
1991 studio release from Japanese band ZENI GEVA, who formed in Tokyo in 1987. They incorporate elements of prog-rock, hardcore, heavy metal and noise-rock in their music. The core members are KK. Null (who is also known for his solo works) and Mitsuru Tabata (who is mostly known for his work with Acid Mothers Temple), the rest of the line-up went thru several changes over the years. They reformed in 2007 after a long break and started to tour again in 2009, joined by Tatsuya Yoshida on drums, who was also a part of one of the early line-ups. Tabata left the band in 2012, so currently they work as a duo.
Noise, Experimental, Smegma, Yellow Swans, Daniel Menche, Portland, Underground; DVD Self Released
People who do noise is a full-length documentary about Portland music makers.
What is "noise" and what is "music"? And where exactly do the two meet? Or should they? Are they completely different entities, to be appreciated on separate but equal terms? Such questions are apparently the basis of a riveting documentary (see it below) called People Who Do Noise, which focuses on artists working in the experimental music underground of Portland, Oregon. To aficionados of the noise genre, Portland is akin to Liverpool, England in the early '60s, or Seattle, Washington in the early '90s. Made on a shoestring budget of $10,000 back in 2008, People Who Do Noise goes up close and personal with the musicians of this scene, profiling them in candid interviews (they're an opinionated bunch!) and working on music they fully admit isn't for everyone. And that's precisely the point. Perhaps the sounds these performers create aren't your cup of tea, either. That's fine. But the documentary is well worth watching for the interviews. Taken together, they create a fascinating mosaic of a bold, uncompromising musical movement.
Improv, Improvised, Noise, Self Released, Anthony Braxton, Fred Frith, San Francisco, Experimental; DVD
Noisy People is a feature length video documentary that opens a window into a tightly-knit group of unusual sound artists and musicians from the San Fransisco improvisational music community. Self Released DVD (2006)
Experimental, Avant Garde, Noise, Electronic, Tzadik, John Zorn, Willian Winant, Marc Ribot; CD (1997)
Pranzo Oltranzista is Mike Patton's second solo project. It is subtitled "Musica da Tavola per Cinque" (literally translated as Banquet Piece for Five Players), and is based on "Futurist Cookbook" by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, written in 1932. Following the experimental "Adult themes for voice" it contains numerous tracks linked by culinary themes and best listened to as a unitary movement. Featuring Marc Ribot on guitar, William Winant on percussion, Erik Friedlander on cello and John Zorn on alto sax, this is Patton's most technically sophisticated solo project.
Lee Ranaldo, Sonic Youth, Experimental, Minimal, Noise, Ambient; CD (1995)
East Jesus is a collection of material Lee Ranaldo recorded between 1981 and 1991. It was released on Atavistic Records. Tracks 2, 5, 8 and 10 are pieces that appeared on the CD version of his first LP "From Here To Infinity" or slight re-edits of that material. The rest of the collection ranges from obscure compilations and 7" releases, or previously unreleased material.
Electronic, Industrial, Ambient, Soundtrack, David Cronenberg; CD
Shivers/ Radio/ The Brood/ The Fly/ Crash/ Dead Zone/ Videodrome/ Naked Lunch/ Existenz/ Dead Ringers
Death Metal, Doom Metal, UK, Metal, Limited Edition, Digipack; Dual format CD/DVD + Booklet/Poster in fold out Digipack (used - VG+)
Packaged in an expanded 6 panel (respectively 12 pages) digipak (5 artwork & lyrics panels + transparent tray with a photo behind) including a foldout booklet (poster on one side / poster & "Soul Sacrifice E.P." - lyrics on the other side) and "Soul Sacrifice E.P." housed in a separate cardboard sleeve. Includes "Return To Forest": 40 min documentary with original band members, filmed in Coventry in 2009, and also featuring interviews with cover artist Dave Patchett. An in depth exploration of the formation of Cathedral, the recording of "Forest of Equilibrium" and the impact of the record on the metal scene.
