A bunch of lonesome nerds, drone, and noise fans (and myself) gathered in the curiosity shop for some weird psychedelic noisemakers last evening. The night began with a short piece from a guy who went by the moniker Monsturo. He built a deafening, thunderous feedback swell that threatened to knock artwork off the walls. He cut his maelstrom short upon noticing the overwhelming scent of burning electronics emanating from a particular PA cabinet had filled the room. What a cool way to start the evening!
A few minutes later, in the cramped back room of the shop, the duo Eye Myth shared their brand of effects-heavy noise. While one guy channeled chirping high frequencies that caused some of those in attendance to jam their fingers into their ears, the other guy handled the low-end. His swirling, growling sounds made me laugh, as they sounded like Chewbacca crying out in an echo chamber.
Third act of the evening was Vodka Soap, which is the solo project of Spencer Clark of The Skaters, a project that has made a lot of noise (pun intended!) on this site for releasing countless awesome albums, my favorite of which is Crowned Purple Gowns. His set was fantastically out-there. He showed wearing short-shorts, a peach-colored, button-down t-shirt and a multi-colored lei. The table where his Line6 DL4, ghetto-blaster and broken keyboards sat was adorned with plants and a stuffed camel holding sticks of incense. He sat in a chair covered in a beach towel depicting a caricature of a Rastafarian fellow surrounded by pot leaves. His set was like a jungle trance drone. Intense, intense, intense. For a great article about The Skaters, read this. After his set, I listened as Spencer described the contents of several new cassettes he had made. That alone was worth the price of admission.
Next up was Robedoor in the small back room. I’ve written about them before, and seen them a few times now. They always put on a really good show. They sound like plates shifting miles below the earth’s surface. Steadily building to a peak, pounding a mammoth tribal drum rhythm, collapsing into nothingness. Musical deconstructionism. I guess everybody already knows this whole experimental noise/drone thing is, at its roots, a punk movement. That shouldn’t be a big surprise. I guess what I’m saying is, Robedoor has the right idea.
A very brief break, and then it was Tomutonttu (also known as Jan Anderzen, or Kemialliset Ystavat), who put on an equally powerful and transcendent showcase of his lysergic electronic manipulations. Totally minimal, abstract psychedelia with barely audible nods to some kraut influences. I don’t know how one guy can be responsible for so many great recordings, but I tip my cap to Mr. Anderzen and wish him continued success in his search for ultimate sonic bliss.
Last, but certainly not least, was Joseph Hammer. Masterful real-time analog tape loop manipulations (done by hand, with one white glove) aided by computers and other electronics from a guy who has collaborated with numerous Los Angeles Free Music Society members including LAFMS founder Joe Potts. The guy was fascinating to watch. Like I said, masterful.
Afterwards, I walked to Little Joy with Ilya (who’d shown up just in time to leave!) and hung out there for a while. Some dufus in horrific tight jeans befriended us and got us talking with another little group of people, but the entire time I was steeped in conversation I couldn’t shake the comment Ilya made about how I used to wear pants as tight as that guy was wearing. What a buzzkill.
