Love-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU.UUCP (01/03/87)
Really-From: hsu@uicsrd.CSRD.UIUC.EDU (William Tsun-Yuk Hsu) New Option and Sound Choice are in, so head for your local hep record store. I haven't had time to look at everything yet. Sound Choice reviewed Option in their zine reviews section, and raised some points which I had been worried about too: more space devoted to trendy groups, relatively un-alternative bands on the cover, and ads from labels backed by major labels. While I have nothing against making money and becoming a slick, trendy publication (well, maybe I do about the latter), I just don't find Option that interesting anymore. That LA Underground feature in the last issue was pathetic, I thought. Sound Choice has actually got *more* raw. This one has sloppy collage things interspersed with the reviews, fairly crummy paper, and ink coming off on your fingers. Tons of info and reviews (also an interview with Chris Cutler), well worth the four month wait. If you want nice paper and printing and trendy bands, buy Spin. Of course Wiring Department still gives more value for your measly buck, despite the emphasis on Bay area bands. If you're interested in getting in touch with Warm Gun, whose mega-noise cassette is reviewed in Sound Choice, be warned that the address is no longer valid. Former netter Rod Kean, who pretty much IS the group, has like yours truly moved away from West Lafayette IN. Contact me for a new address. The end of '86 has some sad news for the Urbana/Champaign alternative music scene. We lost undoubtedly two of the premier industrial/noise radio programs in the country. Sonic Incisions is structured around killer theme sets. On one of the last shows, we had over an hour of Swans, with readings of Gira's interviews and writings. For comic relief, we had some Joy Division. The show is pretty diverse and has also featured Peter Hamill retrospectives and long Stockhausen sets backing readings from S&M literature and the surrealists. Volatile Brain Secretions is more focused on the industrial/hardcore/ post-punk scene. Unfortunately the radio station does not keep playlists, but Katherine, who did the show, recently sent me this sample set: Membranes Everybody's going triple bad acid Celibate Rifles Darlinghurst confidential Birthday Party Dead song Die Kreuzen Counting cracks Social Unrest God in heaven Band of Holy Joy Drug Virgin White Stains Man created God Whitehouse We've got the power Blackhouse #11 What do you know about me etc. As a small consolation, Proof of Utah moved here recently. Sigh. Bill