ellis@spar.UUCP (Michael Ellis) (04/26/85)
This is in response to Robert Krajewski's article. >Unfortunately, the main reason why industrial bands tend to go slick is >that most of them can't think of anything else to do. Most of these bands >are only interested in sound -- when they run out of sounds (which is very >easy because they first strive to be as anti-melodic as possible), they >have no place else to go. As a somewhat naive listener, I find it hard to believe industrial musicians are STRIVING to be anti-melodic -- though no doubt there are all kinds of reasons why anybody does anything. Remember that there is not a great deal of money to be made in industrial. Ideally, I'd hope what flows from an artist is the result of spontaneous creative force -- if listeners from limited, retarded, or deprived musical backgrounds are offended -- so be it! In a way, industrial strikes me as fulfilling the unrealized potential of the hallucinagenic/acid bands of the late 60's -- Pink Floyd's `Ummagumma' caused a lotta bad trips in 1969 -- so it's pretty ironic to hear hypocritical PF supporters putting down new music as `ugly noise/bad vibes'. >Einsturzende Neubaten were supposed to be the Next Big Thing, as the NME >babbled on about Metal Music and groups like Test Department. Nothing ever >happened. EN's new EP actually has two real pieces that I suppose you >could call songs. Maybe their learning. The Next Big Thing? Nothing ever happened? As far as I can tell, their music IS being heard, sold, discussed, and other bands are borrowing ideas that they've developed. Not on the scale of Prince, but I don't think that's the only sign of success, nor is it easy to believe that EN really gives a damn about what's really climbing the charts this month, or about what NME says, for that matter. But maybe I'm wrong... BTW, my guess that EN's danceable tune that started this topic is `Yu: Gung' (`:' = umlaut) from their recent EP. The rhythms are probably too manic for conventional dancers, but those who have creative feet could find much in it to inspire them. `Seele brennt' from the same EP is really swell, too. Though more accessible than usual, I think it's too soon to say EN's gone disco. >Too many times, people who are looking for challenging music mistake >oppressive single-mindedness or grating noise for geniune talent and the >daring to show it. For example, the new Swans EP is totally without merit >-- I'll take Culture Club over it any day. However, some people are going >to like it because they think that anybody who puts out stuff like that must >be really daring and cool. Actually this is just an exagerated instance of >the ``uncommercial==good'' fallacy, but that's another story. I'm not too sure the Swans belong in a discussion about industrial; they sound more like a Flipper from hell played at 16RPM -- their brutally dreary apocolyptic visions grind on eternally without any noticeable rhythmic variation -- surefire ingredients if you ask me. If Flipper is hardcore on quaaludes, Swan is hardcore on heroin. Sounds best if the volume is so loud you can SEE the sounds waves coming out of your speakers. Admittedly, better technique can be found elsewhere, but for some of us that's relatively unimportant. Why Bob dislikes them is beyond me. Actually, I'm surprised he didn't find them TOO pop (they were recently reviewed in a `Tiger Beat' type rag!!). As a point of constructive criticism, I wish people might say WHY they dislike music when panning it -- this gives the reader a far better chance to make an intelligent evaluation of otherwise unfamiliar artists. My favorite song from the Swan's fairly popular new EP is `Mine' -- a grotesque image of the psychological state we call `selfishness'. Sample Lyrics: This is MINE I own it I own this thing It's mine It's mine It's mine Mine Mine Mine... BTW, I hope Mr. Krajewski does not take offense at the difference of opinion between us. I enjoyed his article and hope to see continued discussions about industrial music in the future. -michael -ps Anybody out there like Smegma? Butthole Surfers? Josquin Dez Prez?
jeffw@tekecs.UUCP (Jeff Winslow) (04/29/85)
A few comments... > Ideally, I'd hope what flows from an artist is the result of spontaneous > creative force -- if listeners from limited, retarded, or deprived > musical backgrounds are offended -- so be it! > And if listeners from limited, retarded, or deprived musical backgrounds are too easily impressed -- so be it, also. Just a general comment - I have no specific examples in mind. > Actually, I'm surprised he didn't find them TOO pop (they were recently > reviewed in a `Tiger Beat' type rag!!). As a point of constructive > criticism, I wish people might say WHY they dislike music when panning > it -- this gives the reader a far better chance to make an intelligent > evaluation of otherwise unfamiliar artists. > Isn't this about as difficult as saying why one likes a piece of music? My reaction would be - I like a piece of music because it moves me irresistably, I dislike a piece of music because it bores me. I don't think that's the level of detail you were after, though. Boredom can occur among the loudest of textures as well as the softest, the least repetitive as well as the most repetitive (at least on the surface). And so can the irresistable emotion. Analysis can be fun, and occasionally it gives insights into the whys of a piece, but more often it resembles an attempt at a closed form solution of a 12-body problem. (Had to stick in a 12-something somewhere!) 'nuff rambling, Jeff Winslow
keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle) (04/30/85)
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>-ps Anybody out there like Smegma? Butthole Surfers? Josquin Dez Prez?
Yes on the first two, but who is Josquin Dez Prez?
BTW, Know anything about 'If Then Else', 'Hunting Lodge', or 'Severed Heads'?
Keith Doyle
# {ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithdRMS.G.HNIJ%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA (John S. Labovitz) (05/01/85)
the butthole surfers are GREAT! i just saw them here in dc. i liked last years show a bit better, but it was still good. high point of the show -- the bassist started playing a tuba! sounded great. also, standard megaphone/feedback/flanging. and the headlineing band was good too -- the dead kennedies. @hnij@ -------