An absolute classic VHS called for our first in-person episode in a long time as we all got together to watch “Kingdom of Noise: Japanese Noise Selection.” Truly mandatory viewing for everyone, it was great to revisit as these clips were some of the first noise visuals we saw back in the 90s. This tape is a perfect showcase of the breadth of Japanese noise featuring Masonna, Merzbow, Seed Mouth, Incapacitants, and much more. A mandatory look into extreme history.
A CD as great as it is unexpected, Hermit /Thirdorgan “Dead Tech Machine Gallery” delivers a magnificent glimpse into the possibilities of 90s noise. Hermit’s garbage fi mixes with Thirdorgan’s utter harshness to generate a fascinating album. Part individual, part collab, part live…all personality. The spirit of worldwide DIY underground is alive.
In our first episode on a Ground Fault Series 1 CD, we bring nature inside with Kiyoshi Mizutani’s “Bird Songs.” Tara supplies the info on some of the specific birds heard on this album, and we all get lost in a sea of trees. Let the natural world lay down the atmosphere in your unnatural surroundings.
We travel back to a fateful night in 1912 with Seed Mouth’s astounding “Titanic” CD from 1996. An incredibly unique and special Japanese project, Seed Mouth brings something ineffable to the noise landscape. In addition, we discuss the Titanic disaster and how we see it relating to the expanse of this album.
We are back in Merzland with the fantastically bright “Red 2 Eyes” 10″ on V2. These thick, heavy, and cosmic sounds were recorded in February and August of 1995 and we get to hear Merzbow experimenting with his then-recently acquired EMS synth. As well as the history of this record and title, there is a fun-filled debate on what to call the colors of the cover and vinyl. This 10″ showcases how and why Merzbow hits in a way no one else quite can.
Ten inches of rusted metal junks eclipse all light with K2 “Anybody Can’t Catch Up With This” on Ant Zen. The material on this record is based on the classic album “The Rust,” so we compare both releases and discuss why 10″s are such a great format for noise. Additionally, Tara teaches us about the actual mountain K2.
We end the year with an all time favorite of Greh’s in the form of MSBR & Blazen y Sharp “Mass for Dead Insects” CD. Dark atmospheric noise spills into the room from a futuristic past. Greh discusses his relationship with this album and we go all in on this unique 90s noise collaboration.
From Public Bath Records to Public Bath Press, Kato David Hopkins has been flying the flag of Japanese sounds since the 1980s. He’s seen it all… from the very first Masonna shows, to innumerable classic shows at the legendary Bears club. His most recent work is a great book called “Rumors of Noizu: Hijokaidan and the Road to 2nd Damascus” that traces the experimental music scene in Japan leading up to the debut Hijokaidan LP. Get your pen and paper out for another fascinating noise history lesson.
The ancient world is alive as we discuss “Missing Volume” by the seminal and mysterious Japanese project S·Core. Fire, fog,… Read more S·Core – Missing Volume
Somehow we had not yet covered a Ground Fault CD, so we rectify that with a wallop of a disc in the form of Government Alpha “Sporadic Spectra.” Pure Japanese harsh noise oozes from our speakers, sends us to science fiction futures, and cures Tara’s headache. Heed the opening warning signal and enter the harsh world of Government Alpha.