Monday, 8 April 2013

Where Were You?


I suppose the question in years to come will be; "Where were you when you heard that Thatcher had died"? Like a JFK assassination or a TG split situation .... Well, I was walking past a secondhand electrical shop at the top of Fore Street in St. Marychurch (Torquay) and saw John Major's face on the 28" Screen of a TV set situated in the shop window. I often glance in as the TV's are all set to Sky News and it is handy to check the time (tricks of the trade for non watch wearers there) ... anyhoo .. I had to take a second look as the banner at the bottom of the page said "Thatcher Dies".
Uncontrollable joy fell upon me as did a beam across my face. Hey Ho The Witch Is Dead. I rushed straight home cracked a can of Holstens finest and slapped some Not Sensibles on the turntable.

There will no doubt be tributes and eulogies written, I'm not listening to the radio or watching TV tonight as history will be re-written and lies will be told as fact ... and `I never want to hear the woman's  voice again.
I have been waiting for this day for so long.

Sunday, 7 April 2013

Spoils And Relics



Managed to pick up this 7" single on one of my stealth and mistral trips to the East Midlands. "Turner" by Spoils & Relics is only available at The Chameleon Arts Centre in Nottingham. No mail order, no shops...just over the bar of one of Nottingham's finest.
The sleeve reminds me of an old punk 7" or even (bizarrely...but I can't help it) a single by The Wedding Present. It hides the sounds that lie therein.
Tape is manually handled through magnetic heads, 1970's synthesizers are plundered, toys are smashed, a right handed man blows a left handed tuba, Radio 2 is a constant, varispeed knobs are twiddled and conversations on the Leeds to Batley night bus are illicitly taped and played back through a multitude of effects. This all happens over two sides of untitled vinyl. I have been spinning at 33rpm ... it probably sounds completely different at 45.
Spoils & Relics are masters of their trade, manipulating and collaging found sounds and built instruments into a beautiful / fascinating audio documentary.
They are regulars at the Chameleon Arts Centre, especially on Rammel Club nights, hence this releases exclusivity.

Whilst I was about I joined the "Harbinger Sound Executive Club" .. the first club I have joined since signing up to be a member of the Gloria Mundi Fan Club.

Burial Hex #7




After the disappointment of the "Six Wings" LP and double cassette that the Nostilevo label put out last year I vowed to curtail my Burial Hex listening. "Six Wings" was a great let down after the "For Granted Was His Will" cassette on Sangoplasmo. All lo-fi sludge and drudge, it seemed totally unnecessary, I could not quite understand what Clay (Ruby...Mr. Burial Hex) was trying to achieve or project. The 7" single "Bach Eingeschaltet...Funfter Band" on the German Reue Um Reue label was too tempting though. Clear green vinyl. I love coloured vinyl. Limited to 200 copies and going quite cheaply direct from label.
Two tracks with a completely "new" sound. A new sound for Burial Hex that is. "Fantasie" kicks off Side A(after). Great orchestral timpani manoeuvres awaken the beast. The growling beast..it all starts off very Laibach before morphing into sequencer lead techno, again with a nod to the old sound of say Crash Course In Science or Duet Emmo. Clever stuff .. more tappy toe than dancey. Side B (before) gives us "...Und Fuge". Fast edited sequencer patterns immediately put me in mind of Phil Glass's "Koyaanisqatsi" soundtrack, before (again) morphing / evolving into a techno beat / rhythm with the beast settling beneath it all. By the end it has all lost the plot and descended into chaos with some "mad organist" style keyboards.
Excellent stuff, excellent single with a sound I hope Burial Hex explore.
Visit www.tutrur.com and buy before they all sell out.

Pictures:
1: Burial Hex "cloth" that came with the "Six Wings" LP
2: Burial Hex 7" Picture Sleeve.

Sleaford Mods


I can't remember when I first heard about Sleaford Mods, I remember who told me about them...but I can't remember when but as soon as I heard the name I knew I had to hear them. Back in my youth when my dad was a solicitor he worked in Sleaford, my mum used to work the market there, Sleaford is a lovely little Lincolnshire market town built around the River Slea. I had a mate who lived on the Boston Road, we used to creep into Bass Maltings, an old abandoned brewery and muck about. Shout and chuck things, beat metal on metal .. should have recorded it, eh? (We weren't under curfew).
And now there's Sleaford Mods and Steve Underwood loves them enough to tell me about them. Quite obvious that I was not going to be hearing some Purple Hearts, Lambrettas, Secret Affair type o' shite, but I wasn't quite expecting this.

Lest we forget the days when record label following was fun and exploratory. Labels such as Small Wonder who would put out Crass, Bauhaus and Murder The Disturbed or the beginning of Rough Trade when one week it's Metal Urbain, then a slice of Cabaret Voltaire and then File Under Pop. Great days. Harbinger Sound is a label worth following, so far this year they have released new stuff by Cremation Lily, Spoils & Relics and Sleaford Mods (and I'll put in the Vagina Dentata Organ live LP at the end of 2012) releases that are diverse as they are essential. Harbinger Sound is not a "noise" label. Admittedly the Sleaford Mods LP has "thrown" a few people ... after a slew of "noise" re-issues from the Broken Flag back catalogue this is quite understandable .. but let's reiterate here. Harbinger Sound is not a "noise" label.

Sleaford Mods are a two-piece. Jason & Fearny. One has a voice the other a laptop. The album also features the bass guitar of R.J.Chisholm. It's the bass lines that grab me, punk driven punching riffs that are infectious and get my head moving and the feet tapping. Bass lines around a snappy snare with a techno-style beat. The sound is unique, and more so because of the voice. Jason Williamson. Witty dry lines of vitriol and "everyday life" spat out with an East Midlands drawl by a guy with tourettes. This is not John Cooper-Clarke territory, this is not funny haha like Alexei Sayle and "Hello John, Got A New Motor", this is reality speaking, the zeitgeist, the now, the Nottingham sink estate, the voice from Ladbrooke's. I could reel off the titles or quote some lines from the tracks but it won't read or capture the brilliance of this LP ... for that you need to hear Jason's voice. The songs will stick with you, I've had them going around in my head for the past few months.
I was lucky enough to catch Sleaford Mods live last year. It's a frightening sight, like watching Sham 69 back in '78...the feeling that at any moment something would spark a riot and that the band would just love to join in. Tense - that best way to describe their live approach. After one song some of the audience laughed..."What yer laughing at? ... This ain't meant to be funny.. I'm not telling yer jokes". Polite applause ! I've recently seen Sleaford Mods billed as Hip-Hop for a future live gig .. I would argue that. Sleaford Mods are punk.

This is an important album, it'll probably get in The Wire's top ten and we'll hear Sleaford Mods on "Loose Ends" ... hey...weirder shit has happened. It needs to be heard and you need to listen and just to reiterate Harbinger Sound is not a "noise" label. The LP should be available from all decent distributors, but if you're daft enough to be on a Facebook then check out both Sleaford Mods and Harbinger Sound that way.



Saturday, 23 March 2013

MuhMur SoundArt Radio Broadcast 21/03/2013

Another broadcast. This one was supposed to feature exclusive material by Finnish masters Grey Park, but unfortunately the cassette machine at the studio is still "kaput". The programme also had a possible new feature: Singles by The Glaxo Babies & Eyeless In Gaza were released on the day of broadcast in 1979 and 1981 (respectively) and armed with my copies of George Grimac's Punk Diaries I will try and play at least one slab of vinyl that is relevant to the day of broadcast.
Next show is on April 4, the SoundArt studios are being refurbished over Easter so this programme will be pre-recorded at Dave's house..so it's no use phoning in requests and death threats...save that for normal service on April18.
The programme is uploaded onto Mixcloud. I have a new 'pooter and cannot get into my Mixcloud "Muhsteve" account so have put this in the "Muhmur" account, hopefully all will sort its self out.
Playlist:

1: Amph : "Polar" (Sprachlos Verlag) 2013.
2: Post Scriptvm : "Declension" (Tesco Organisation) 2006.
3: Current 93 : "Time Of The Last Persecution" (Durtro/Jnana Records) 2004.
4: Emeralds : "Magic" (Hanson) 2008.
5: Aaron Dilloway : "Return To Xanox:Final Days Of Marshall" (777 Was 666) 2011.
6: MNEM : "Sediment Thesis" (Kaos Kontrol) 2001.
7: Glaxo Babies : "Who Killed Bruce Lee" (Cherry Red/Heartbeat Records) 1979.
8: Eyeless In Gaza : "Invisibility" (Cherry Red Records) 1981.
9: Tactile : "Hydrokino" (Sentrax Corporation) 2013.
10: Wyrm/Nocturnal Emissions : "Symmetrical Ecstasy" (Roil Noise Offensive) 2011.
11: Alvars Orkester : "Pace" (UFO Mungo) 2005.
12: Throbbing Gristle : "Maggot Death (Studio)" (Industrial Records) 1977.
13: Alien Brains : "Song" (Snatch Tapes) 1981.
***classic from the new wave era***
14: Theoretical Girls : "Theoretical Girls" (Acute Records) 2002.
15: XTC : "Dance With Me Germany" (Virgin Records) 1978.
16: BBBlood : "Mouse Trap" (So I Buried) 2012.
17: Pere Ubu : "Chinese Radiation" (Mercury Records) 1978.
18: Winston Tong w/Tuxedomoon : "Stranger" (Time Release Records) 1979.


*****www.mixcloud.com/Muhmur/muhmur-soundart-radio-broadcast-21032012/*****



Friday, 8 March 2013

MuhMur SoundArt Radio Broadcast 07/03/2013

Last nights programme was a Neil Campbell special, including a 20 minute piece compiled especially for the show. There were a few minor hiccups, the programme before mine over ran by a few minutes so those who tuned in at nine expecting some astral social madness got some Barclay James Rapist type soft-rock ... still, if you stuck with it ... thanks, the mixcloud download misses all these shennanigans and is available at :
**** www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/a-bowl-of-campbells-soup/ ***** 
Vice Versa were the classics from the new wave era (regular item) and I got to play a side of the "1980: The First Fifteen Minutes" EP at the end as Dave (the engineer) had laptop problems and was behind in loading the next programme.
Next programme is on March 21st.

Playlist.
1: Astral Social Club : "Punk Rocker/Mug Cracker" (Dancing Wayang Records) 2009.
    (from the LP "Plug Music Ramoon").
2: Walden/Campbell/Plaistow : "Morons" (Agdam) 2011.
    (from the compilation CD "Agdam").
3: Neil Campbell : "Muttertown Birdsong Cindy"  (No Label) 2001
    (from the self-released 7" single).
4: Neil Campbell & Rob Hayler : "False Positive"  (Fencing Flatworm Records)
    (from the CDr "In Luck").
5: Astral Social Club : Wet Wheel/Hot Wheel  (Tipped Bowler Tapes) 2011.
    (from the split 12"EP with Tomutontuu).
6: Kufuki : "Dai-Haku-Ryuku (Astral Social Club Remix)"  (Wonderyou) 2012.
    (from the CD "Kufuki").
7: ESP Kinetic : "Under The Bed"  (Music Mundane) 2008.
    (from the CDr "Fleck Nor").
8: Cock E.S.P. & Smell & Quim : "L'Odeur Et Le Vagin"  (Spite Records) 1998.
    (from the 7" EP "Super Noise Penis").
9: Vibracathedral Orchestra : "Brundell 16/01/03"  (Gold Soundz) 2003.
     (from the 7" Untitled).
10: Flower & Campbell :  "Untitled"  (Golden Lab Records)
      (from a promo CDr)
11: Vice Versa : "Genetic Warfare"  (Neutron Records) 1980.
      (from the compilation 7"EP "1980:The First Fifteen Minutes").
12: Astral Social Club : "Untitled"  (Not On Label) 2013.
      (A work in progress piece compiled for MuhMur Radio Programme).
13: Early Hominids : "#1"  (Music Mundane) 2009.
      (from the CDr "Metatarsal").
14: Iibiis Rooge : "Coro Coro"  (Dekorder Records)  2010.
      (from the LP "Iibiis Rooge").
15 :Clock DVA : "Brigade"  (Neutron Records) 1980.
16: Stunt Kites : "Beautiful People"  (Neutron Records) 1980.
      (Both tracks from the 7" EP "1980:The First Fifteen Minutes"). 
    

Sunday, 3 March 2013

Epicurean Escapism Festival 2013


programme
epicurean escapism
projects
tickets / shop
compilation

EPICUREAN ESCAPISM FESTIVAL
15TH OF JUNE 2013
@ MARIE ANTOINETTE
HOLZMARKTSTR. 15
10179 BERLIN
(S Jannowitzbrücke)

Doors: 18 h
video screening starts 19:00 h!
concert starts 20:00 h!

CONTACT
escapism-at-transformed.de


EPICUREAN ESCAPISM FESTIVAL

KE/HIL

IRM

Ke/Hil is habitat industrial, field work closely observing a deprived and callous population’s behaviour in a hostile environment, while seeking to wipe away the neon gloss from facades, showing gloom and bleakness lurking behind, exposing the ultimate cause for resistance without anything to achieve but resistance going on … - look from inside a precarious scenery! Formed by B.Moloch and W.Herich.

video


POST SCRIPTVM

John Murphy

Active since 1999 the New York City-based Russian duo creates dark electronic music that has been described as concertedly dreamlike, mesmerizing, claustrophobic, and disturbing. The compositions flow from eerie, hypnotizing death ambient structures to abrasive industrial noise, invoking surreal, Kafkaesque mental imagery, as well as an overwhelming anguish of metaphysical horror.

The project is back from a 5-year long break in concert activity to perform its first show in Germany.

"Continuing on an exploration within the original aesthetic of industrial music Post Scriptvm creates track after track of compositions that challenge the preconceived notions of music and reformulate these into a powerful and darkly unsettling amalgamating of noises, distorted sounds and dense thick drones to produce a bleak, sludgy ambience that sits uncomfortably between the dark ambient and death industrial genres whist still having one foot firmly rooted in the old-school styled industrial soundscapes." (Judas Kiss)

"A downward spiraling carousel takes you on a ride through vibrant and surrealist visions of horror, paranoia and civilization in decline with the darkest atmospheres wrapped in mystic transmissions and unholy rituals, acoustic sound manipulation and organic drones. Hypnotizing dark ambient with visceral intensity and flowing analogue pulsations." (Gothtronic)

"Rather than suffocating the listener in endless rounds of rumbling darkness Post Scriptvm transports the listeners down a desolate road of mental imbalance, naked aggression and nightmarish soundscapes. The music is your guide but the journey will only be as harrowing as your imagination." (Heathen Harvest)

website | video


TREPANERINGSRITUALEN

Human Larvae

Trepaneringsritualen explores themes of religion, magick and the occult realms of consciousness, taking its musical cues from the old school of ritual ambient & death industrial. Rhythmic and seething at times, and oozing forward with a creeping sense of desolation, Trepaneringsritualen conjures forth bleak but mesmerizing visions of the end-times.

Active since 2008, T × R × P have racked up a fair amount of cassette releases on renowned labels such as Hanson, Small Doses and Harsh Head Rituals, with 2012 seeing the first vinyl appearance in the form of »Deathward, To The Womb« 10" on RTB Records.

website | video

DIETER MÜH

JARL

“Murky sound sculptures that verge on aural surrealism from a project rarely glimpsed in the wild” (Feral Debris. 2012).

Dieter Müh is the solo project of Devon (UK) based sound artist Steve Cammack. Dieter Müh were created as a trio in 1994, but has been a solo project since 2009.

The live sound of Dieter Müh (2013) is construction and de-construction of prepared loops and drone walls. Steve works with manipulated acoustic sounds, percussion, metals, glass as well as spoken word.

In the past Dieter Müh have been released by labels as diverse as EE Tapes, Tesco Organisation, Hanson, Harbinger Sound, Xerxes and Licht Und Stahl. The 2012 LP “Heterodoxie” was released by German label Verlautbarung. 2013 and Dieter Müh are working on an album for French label Force Majeure.

Steve Cammack also operates his own label Haemoccult Recordings and has his own radio programme; “Muhmur” on SoundArt FM.
Live in Paris photograph by Sylvie Carteaux

website | discogs

ANEMONE TUBE

Anemone Tube

Anemone Tube was founded 1996 in South-Germany; since 2010 based in Berlin. The audio works of Anemone Tube are a unique blend of dark ambient, noise, industrial and soundart with a strong psychogenic impact. The use of constantly shifting and altering sounds and moods is possibly one of the most intruiging things about the audio creations of Anemone Tube.

Since 2007 Anemone Tube has been working on "The Suicide Series". To this fieldrecordings made in different parts in the world build a conceptional basis. In a poetic way Anemone Tube combines analytical realism of the phenomenal world with buddhist psychology and nihilist rhetoric influenced by the works of Michael Haneke, Hayao Miyazaki, H.P. Lovecraft and Yukio Mishima. CD and vynil releases on labels such as Auf Abwegen (DE), Peripheral Records (GB), Silken Tofu (BE) and Topheth Prophet (IL).

“Anemone Tube stands out among other projects in the genre not due to the quality of his music but rather the psychological basis of it.” (Encyclopaedia Of Industrial Music, Rafal Kochan, 2010)

"Effectively Anemone Tube achieves a sound that spans the divide between ‘academic’ experimental material and ‘underground’ industrial territory. Likewise within this context Anemone Tube have achieved a particularly unique sound, which these days can be a challenge to say the least within ambient/ industrial spheres."
(Noise Receptor Magazine, February 2013)

Live Performances since 2008 with: Inade (D), Anenzephalia (D), Cut Hands/William Bennett (UK), Troum (D), IRM (Se), Jarl (Se), Last Dominion Lost (Aus), BJ Nilsen (N), Dave Phillips (CH), Sudden Infant (CH), Wraiths (UK), The (Law-Rah) Collective (NL), Hybrids (B), Schloss Tegal (USA), Machinefabriek (NL), etc.

website | soundcloud | video | interview


CON-DOM / MIKE DANDO

IRM

Mike Dando, based in London, has been active since the early 80s as musician & conceptual artist and is best known through his notorious, confrontational performances with his power-electronics project CON-DOM. His controversial religious and political artworks have earned him widespread recognition.

We are honored to welcome Mike Dando on our festival, who will present his short films and experimental movies for the first time ever to an audience. More than 50 minutes of video footage had been exclusively produced by Mike Dando for the Epicurean Escapism Festival, and which will also be released on the festival compilation on DVD including 2 more short films not shown on the festival.

video | discogs

_
Visual artists:
ALEX TENNIGKEIT DE
website

ANDREW LILES GB
website

CARMEN BURGUESS ARG
website

DENNIS RUDOLPH DE
website

PHILIP BEST GB
website

RUDOLF EB.ER JP