Around 18 months ago, I began sketching ideas for a book devoted to Punk's transition into post-punk; an area itself extremely wide given its dovetailing with industrial music, art-rock, synth-pop and so on during the early '80s. However, since then the idea's simply been smouldering away at a standstill due to my not knowing exactly which direction to push it in after my own account/introduction. The only thing I was clear about was not dwelling on its becoming increasingly sanitised pop music (think: New Romantics) and, instead, focusing rather more on its sprawling into the '80s underground (exceptions aside, no less)...
Whatever, mulling over this during more recent weeks has led me to return to the premise of interviewing a large and diverse number of people who were either involved (whether musicians, writers or label owners, etc.) or simply were old enough to both experience it and be inspired by it (akin to myself). Although it will be mostly based on what was happening in the UK, I hope to also include some impressions by others from elsewhere.
I am in the throes of arranging interviews at the moment, but I'd also welcome, at this stage, anybody simply contacting me with accounts of their own experiences surrounding Punk becoming, I feel, far more progressive around the same time people such as Rotten and Devoto left their first groups.
If you feel that you have something to share, please contact me. Thanks.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
First Impressions
Never fails to be busy around here, to be honest, but besides having just seen Circle's 2CD reissue of my Triumph release into production for Fourth Dimension, and still overseeing matters surrounding the Autumn Blood (Constructions) compilation CD release on Lumberton Trading Company last month, I have just begun a collaboration with a chap here in Poland, Rafal, who has dedicated a few years so far to putting together a book, The Encyclopaedia of Industrial Music. My role is simply to proofread the translated text (from Polish to English, no less), but I must confess that it's quite an undertaking. The book amounts to an 'A to Z'-type reference book, similar in style to The Crack in the Cosmic Egg one published by Ultima Thule several years ago that itself was devoted to 'krautrock'. My own interest in industrial music doesn't actually extend so far, though. I like several groups associated with it or who themselves were motivated by it but, beyond this, what generally passes for it or its cousins in 'noise' and 'power electronics' or so-called 'dark ambient' these days does extremely little for me. All the same, because of my deep interest in music's corpulent underbelly, and the fact Rafal's research has delved deep into other realms related to the genre, I'm happy to be involved. No idea when it will be completed, unfortunately. I received the 'A' section two weeks ago (now proofread and returned to Rafal) and this alone was 40 pages on a regular Word document. If we're lucky, the book will be ready to publish late next year, but it's going to require a lot dedication to the work. Watch this space for developments, anyway.
Otherwise, Theme's Valentine (Lost) Forever CD is now out (on HCB Recordings) and has so far garnered two reviews. These can be found at:
www.crucialblastshop.net and www.vitalweekly.net (edition 697)
As noted on a blog not long ago posted on Theme's MySpace page: "The idea with Theme, as with Splintered beforehand, is to keep trying out different approaches and push ourselves as much as possible within our limitations. Some of these approaches may well be bound to those we've explored previously, but from a different angle, and some might spiral completely elsewhere. I have personally never considered Theme an 'industrial' group, either. Very little such music has motivated me, and even less so Stuart (who is mostly a post-Revolver Beatles/'60s psychedelic rock fan, believe it or not). Theme is simply a continuation of an interest in exploring sounds whilst simulaneously keeping things both personal and able to translate beyond. The idea of pushing Theme into more 'song'-based territory was touched upon on the first album and, of course, by Splintered. Within this framework, however, we set ourselves new challenges. We will never compromise this."
Whilst I can fully understand the rudimentary 'need' for crutches (reference points) in reviews, I
would still contend those responsible for writing them (myself included, given that I also do this on the Adverse Effect blogspot) should look beyond the surface and exercise a little research. It's very easily done with the help of the internet these days, so there's little reason not to.
Otherwise, Theme's Valentine (Lost) Forever CD is now out (on HCB Recordings) and has so far garnered two reviews. These can be found at:
www.crucialblastshop.net and www.vitalweekly.net (edition 697)
As noted on a blog not long ago posted on Theme's MySpace page: "The idea with Theme, as with Splintered beforehand, is to keep trying out different approaches and push ourselves as much as possible within our limitations. Some of these approaches may well be bound to those we've explored previously, but from a different angle, and some might spiral completely elsewhere. I have personally never considered Theme an 'industrial' group, either. Very little such music has motivated me, and even less so Stuart (who is mostly a post-Revolver Beatles/'60s psychedelic rock fan, believe it or not). Theme is simply a continuation of an interest in exploring sounds whilst simulaneously keeping things both personal and able to translate beyond. The idea of pushing Theme into more 'song'-based territory was touched upon on the first album and, of course, by Splintered. Within this framework, however, we set ourselves new challenges. We will never compromise this."
Whilst I can fully understand the rudimentary 'need' for crutches (reference points) in reviews, I
would still contend those responsible for writing them (myself included, given that I also do this on the Adverse Effect blogspot) should look beyond the surface and exercise a little research. It's very easily done with the help of the internet these days, so there's little reason not to.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Those Factors Behind
Something I got asked by a close friend a few nights ago was why I am doing everything that I do. Neeedless to say, it's a question I have addressed myself plenty of the times over the years too, but it's one that rarely comes from either anybody around me or from somebody who may actually give a fuck about my response. The stock answer to the latter, although partly cemented in truth, is that I do everything to ultimately please myself. And by this I don't simply mean that all the music I either put my name to or help to realise exists solely for the purpose of pleasing me. Without wishing to bore you with all of the details behind a release, I do honestly personally enjoy the whole process of seeing something through from beginning to end, and playing a creative part in it. When I released all these singles back in the '90s, for example, I truly felt like I was a real part of them through my physically assembling them to order. Not only did I print the covers and inserts myself but I'd also spend hours sweating it out putting everything together before attending to the orders and promos and suchlike. The satisfaction from this has never waned since, regardless of how inconvenient things may be when weighed next to all of those other huge demands life throws our way. Yes, spending time slaving over a few orders with old jiffy bags and parcel tape may not be 'fun', but I do derive a certain modicum of pleasure in getting these same said packages sent out to people who may well then, in turn, appreciate them. A simple pleasure, perhaps, but enhanced much further by my being active in the previous proceedings.
Returning to the original question, however, and answering it without the need for those crutches afforded by being physically involved, I'd say that I'm very much interested in relationships. With Theme, the group I'm presently involved in with Stuart Carter, this concern is draped in metaphor and allegory (at least for me, in my writing...Stuart may well derive something completely different from what we do). I'm interested in those bridges between the subjective and the objective, the 'artist' and the listener, the areas I'm exploring and their 'context' or 'meaning' and their perception, and so on. With my labels, I'm essentially interested in the same thing. Relationships, in this instance, between artists I feel are doing something interesting and people who may be interested in their work. Once more, there are a number of levels attached to this, though. And, of course, I'm pleasing myself along the way.
Next time somebody asks me why I am doing everything I do, whether music, releasing records or (occasionally) writing, I have a new stock answer. It all boils down to relationships. And I firmly believe this is what I have strived for since first publishing my Grim Humour fanzine in 1983. I don't care so much about noumena or phenomena. I am far more interested in those areas that join them...
Returning to the original question, however, and answering it without the need for those crutches afforded by being physically involved, I'd say that I'm very much interested in relationships. With Theme, the group I'm presently involved in with Stuart Carter, this concern is draped in metaphor and allegory (at least for me, in my writing...Stuart may well derive something completely different from what we do). I'm interested in those bridges between the subjective and the objective, the 'artist' and the listener, the areas I'm exploring and their 'context' or 'meaning' and their perception, and so on. With my labels, I'm essentially interested in the same thing. Relationships, in this instance, between artists I feel are doing something interesting and people who may be interested in their work. Once more, there are a number of levels attached to this, though. And, of course, I'm pleasing myself along the way.
Next time somebody asks me why I am doing everything I do, whether music, releasing records or (occasionally) writing, I have a new stock answer. It all boils down to relationships. And I firmly believe this is what I have strived for since first publishing my Grim Humour fanzine in 1983. I don't care so much about noumena or phenomena. I am far more interested in those areas that join them...
Productive Pay-Offs
Out this week, finally, after months and months of varying hurdles and struggles, arrived both the LTCo compilation CD, Autumn Blood (Constructions), and the new Theme CD, Valentine (Lost) Forever, on Israel's HCB Recordings. Although this news in itself brings with it the reality of much work for me via packing orders and endless trips to and from a Post Office some 15 minutes walk away (I could get a bus, but I am neither lazy or afraid of getting the locals to wonder who the hell this flame-haired guy is with all these mysterious packages as he struts past, mind doubtlessly submerged in abstract nonsense), I'm still ultimately pleased that all this toil during the past year or so has come into fruition. Beyond this, I'm satisfied with both releases completely. And, if the response, so far, is anything to go by, I feel I'm beginning to turn a corner with my endeavours. Not that I've ever once been concerned with turning corners in the first place, but it's certainly a welcome, and wholly refreshing, addition to the proceedings.
If interested in either release, you should be able to find them easily enough by using the usual channels.
If interested in either release, you should be able to find them easily enough by using the usual channels.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
In My Blood
Some news...
The compilation CD on Lumberton Trading Company, Autumn Blood (Constructions), will be ready for production this week. It, like all compilations, has taken an eternity to assemble and even hit a few last minute hitches before now finally being ready for the manufacturer. As with practically everything else in the present climate, the music industry has been hit quite hard by the recession, resulting in it being more difficult to secure the kind of deals I've been luckily afforded during the past two or three years. Whatever, a jolt or a hurdle of some kind right now will be reduced to the semblance of an already faded blemish over time. Very rare that I've pulled out of any commitments to anything. I beg and borrow if necessary, and that's that. Anyway, the artists on the compilation are: Lawrence English, Peter Christopherson, Birds Build Nests Underground, Steven Severin, Volga, Theme, Andrew Liles, Zenial/Banabila, Formication, Sion Orgon, Human Greed (with LeeDVD) and Colin Potter. Most of the contributions are exclusive and, if I say so myself (and as somebody who doesn't actually like compilations much, generally, if I'm honest), add up to a rather nice whole that flows perfectly, with just enough contours and elements of surprise to keep it positively charged. As an insight to some of the worlds LTCo is personally concerned with, I'm extremely pleased. The CD should appear in about two or three weeks time anyway and, meanwhile, the website itself should be given a long overdue overhaul and feature more information about this.
Otherwise, the third Theme album, Valentine (Lost) Forever, is also going to appear around the same time. Next to the collaborative album between my old group, Splintered, and RLW, released back in 1996, I would contend this as being the one I've felt the happiest about too. Not to slight anything else I've been involved with either, as it's only too easy to pull apart one's own work with the benefit of hindsight, but V(L)F has taken a considerable amount of time to put together and much attention has been paid to the details and overall feel of the album. Following two Theme albums that have seen us exploring different ideas, collaborating with other people, etc., it would appear we've finally found our foothold. Despite presently feeling somewhat over-exposed to the material on the album (which leads to an overwhelming sense of jadedness virtually impossible to untangle oneself from, unfortunately), I feel incredibly proud and, indeed, comfortable with everything on V(L)F. And my collaborator, Stuart Carter, has especially dedicated a lot of effort and man hours to the cause.
Outside of releases, the LTCo website, as already noted, is due to be given an overhaul soon enough, plus the existing Adverse Effect website should shortly be replaced by one focussed on my Fourth Dimension label. A space there for AE matters will operate, and I may then pull down the present blog for this and move everything there. At present, I feel like I'm spread a little too thinly over the internet. Too many profiles, too many pages. Whilst that in itself may serve a purpose, I think objectives can get lost. One of the downsides to the current internet age is the dilution of information, although I still see more advantages than negative points...
Listening round here lately has amounted to dusting off Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Angels Of Light and Ralf Wehowsky albums mostly, but I've also been savouring Pauline Oliveros' The Wanderer, The Plastic Ono Band's first LP, some Tindersticks, a little Eric Cordier, SSAB, Can and an album by a rather sprightly and energetic band called 2L8, whose work makes me think of Radiohead's before they went into Warp Records territory. Am not averse to a little decent pop, if infused with some fucking intelligence.
More soon, I am sure...
The compilation CD on Lumberton Trading Company, Autumn Blood (Constructions), will be ready for production this week. It, like all compilations, has taken an eternity to assemble and even hit a few last minute hitches before now finally being ready for the manufacturer. As with practically everything else in the present climate, the music industry has been hit quite hard by the recession, resulting in it being more difficult to secure the kind of deals I've been luckily afforded during the past two or three years. Whatever, a jolt or a hurdle of some kind right now will be reduced to the semblance of an already faded blemish over time. Very rare that I've pulled out of any commitments to anything. I beg and borrow if necessary, and that's that. Anyway, the artists on the compilation are: Lawrence English, Peter Christopherson, Birds Build Nests Underground, Steven Severin, Volga, Theme, Andrew Liles, Zenial/Banabila, Formication, Sion Orgon, Human Greed (with LeeDVD) and Colin Potter. Most of the contributions are exclusive and, if I say so myself (and as somebody who doesn't actually like compilations much, generally, if I'm honest), add up to a rather nice whole that flows perfectly, with just enough contours and elements of surprise to keep it positively charged. As an insight to some of the worlds LTCo is personally concerned with, I'm extremely pleased. The CD should appear in about two or three weeks time anyway and, meanwhile, the website itself should be given a long overdue overhaul and feature more information about this.
Otherwise, the third Theme album, Valentine (Lost) Forever, is also going to appear around the same time. Next to the collaborative album between my old group, Splintered, and RLW, released back in 1996, I would contend this as being the one I've felt the happiest about too. Not to slight anything else I've been involved with either, as it's only too easy to pull apart one's own work with the benefit of hindsight, but V(L)F has taken a considerable amount of time to put together and much attention has been paid to the details and overall feel of the album. Following two Theme albums that have seen us exploring different ideas, collaborating with other people, etc., it would appear we've finally found our foothold. Despite presently feeling somewhat over-exposed to the material on the album (which leads to an overwhelming sense of jadedness virtually impossible to untangle oneself from, unfortunately), I feel incredibly proud and, indeed, comfortable with everything on V(L)F. And my collaborator, Stuart Carter, has especially dedicated a lot of effort and man hours to the cause.
Outside of releases, the LTCo website, as already noted, is due to be given an overhaul soon enough, plus the existing Adverse Effect website should shortly be replaced by one focussed on my Fourth Dimension label. A space there for AE matters will operate, and I may then pull down the present blog for this and move everything there. At present, I feel like I'm spread a little too thinly over the internet. Too many profiles, too many pages. Whilst that in itself may serve a purpose, I think objectives can get lost. One of the downsides to the current internet age is the dilution of information, although I still see more advantages than negative points...
Listening round here lately has amounted to dusting off Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Angels Of Light and Ralf Wehowsky albums mostly, but I've also been savouring Pauline Oliveros' The Wanderer, The Plastic Ono Band's first LP, some Tindersticks, a little Eric Cordier, SSAB, Can and an album by a rather sprightly and energetic band called 2L8, whose work makes me think of Radiohead's before they went into Warp Records territory. Am not averse to a little decent pop, if infused with some fucking intelligence.
More soon, I am sure...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Chasms
I just posted the following blog on my personal MySpace profile, as I am beginning to feel anything I place here is swathed in a rather cumbersome and wholly overwhelming pointlessness...
"Yes, yes, I said I'd never write anything here again but my promises are evidently going to be kept in the same way as my dear and rather battered old ticker: broken. Ultimately, should anybody be paying attention to such matters, just don't fucking listen to me when I'm having a whinge here. If I feel like jotting down a few thoughts here (as I do right now), I will do so. Just as I always have. Besides, it's nice to actually get the occasional drop of feedback, or see that, yes, people actually visit this place (even if I don't fully grasp why...). My posts at Blogspot seem to mostly go out to a void; a vast chasm of nothingness completely at odds with the sweat, blood and red wine I've put into the damn things. You know, I've an Adverse Effect blogspot, for example, with I think nice 'n' interesting interviews with, so far, William Bennett and Michael Begg of Human Greed (the latter conducted by the wonderful Kate MacDonald or, rather, Katred, no less), and it's hard to fathom whether anybody's even fucking bothered to check in on them. It's not, however, as though I do any of this to simply ride the waves of discourse, but I'd be lying if I declared I didn't enjoy knowing my own little stabs weren't just going out for any other reason than to keep myself occupied. It's not as though I don't have anything else to do or have a social whirlwind of dinner parties, cheap dates and private functions to maintain.
Ever since I first entered the (very much underground) publishing world, I have always, always actively encouraged response. Even though my magazines helped forge my reputation as being an opinionated bastard unafraid to speak his mind or accept idiots (and the music world is teeming with the fuckers, believe me - never has such a place outside the world of filmmaking attracted so many egocentric, pumped-up little cunts who are so deluded they fail to grasp what they're doing is precisely the same thing as countless others), I never once ventured that anybody should bite their fucking tongues. For, believe me, doing exactly that is what most people do anyway. In every respect.
So, to go back a little, yes yes yes, I crave discourse, ideas, opinions and suggestions. Like hearty meals, the good music itself that I mostly find myself pinning thoughts to, my desire for the woman who'll forever stay just out of reach, a roaring fireplace on a winter's snowy evening, and that one little nip of absinthe too many, it keeps me going.
Justifications over...
On another note, if so inclined, do visit my Theme, LTCo (MySpace as well as the website), Splintered, etc. pages for updates on the various developments on my endeavours. Likewise, of course, the BlogSpot pages.
Despite whatever some victims may say, my bark is definitely worse than my bite..."
I think it says everything I feel like saying here at this moment in time...
"Yes, yes, I said I'd never write anything here again but my promises are evidently going to be kept in the same way as my dear and rather battered old ticker: broken. Ultimately, should anybody be paying attention to such matters, just don't fucking listen to me when I'm having a whinge here. If I feel like jotting down a few thoughts here (as I do right now), I will do so. Just as I always have. Besides, it's nice to actually get the occasional drop of feedback, or see that, yes, people actually visit this place (even if I don't fully grasp why...). My posts at Blogspot seem to mostly go out to a void; a vast chasm of nothingness completely at odds with the sweat, blood and red wine I've put into the damn things. You know, I've an Adverse Effect blogspot, for example, with I think nice 'n' interesting interviews with, so far, William Bennett and Michael Begg of Human Greed (the latter conducted by the wonderful Kate MacDonald or, rather, Katred, no less), and it's hard to fathom whether anybody's even fucking bothered to check in on them. It's not, however, as though I do any of this to simply ride the waves of discourse, but I'd be lying if I declared I didn't enjoy knowing my own little stabs weren't just going out for any other reason than to keep myself occupied. It's not as though I don't have anything else to do or have a social whirlwind of dinner parties, cheap dates and private functions to maintain.
Ever since I first entered the (very much underground) publishing world, I have always, always actively encouraged response. Even though my magazines helped forge my reputation as being an opinionated bastard unafraid to speak his mind or accept idiots (and the music world is teeming with the fuckers, believe me - never has such a place outside the world of filmmaking attracted so many egocentric, pumped-up little cunts who are so deluded they fail to grasp what they're doing is precisely the same thing as countless others), I never once ventured that anybody should bite their fucking tongues. For, believe me, doing exactly that is what most people do anyway. In every respect.
So, to go back a little, yes yes yes, I crave discourse, ideas, opinions and suggestions. Like hearty meals, the good music itself that I mostly find myself pinning thoughts to, my desire for the woman who'll forever stay just out of reach, a roaring fireplace on a winter's snowy evening, and that one little nip of absinthe too many, it keeps me going.
Justifications over...
On another note, if so inclined, do visit my Theme, LTCo (MySpace as well as the website), Splintered, etc. pages for updates on the various developments on my endeavours. Likewise, of course, the BlogSpot pages.
Despite whatever some victims may say, my bark is definitely worse than my bite..."
I think it says everything I feel like saying here at this moment in time...
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Frustrations
All plans to have new releases out by this summer have been curtailed for all manner of reasons beyond my direct control. To declare this frustrating would be an understatement. On top of this, a lot of writing I had on an old iMac may well have just been lost too as it will no longer work...
...and of course I didn't back it up!
...and of course I didn't back it up!
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