Christian Death - "Beauty Of Temptation" Demos

Christian Death sans Rozz Williams reached it's zenith in 1989. What had been a torrent of recording, touring, and proselytizing the end of humanity culminated in a tumultuous night at The Marquee in London. Following the band's performance, Gitane Demone left Christian Death forever, and more impressively, the life she had known for 10 years. People that stayed in following Christian Death began to see the train leaving the tracks... what was a surreal swathed goth-rock band, began to offer a much heavier, metal-tinged sound a la Metallica. But following this June night, the din fell silent. Had Valor indeed moved to Antartica? Fueling the mystery was Rozz's return to Christian Death and a flurry of new material and releases. Without access to internet - this couldn't have been a more puzzling point in time for a Christian Death fan. There was literally no where else to turn for information except the musical press. That was where I found interviews with Valor in 1990/1991 - talking about the new record, titled, "Beauty Of Temptation". I waited... waited... searched in vain - it never surfaced. However, in 1994, clearly in response to Rozz's new run with Christian Death, Valor emerged with a new look, a new band, and a much different sound. It turned out that in addition to a much needed hiatus to rest and spend time with his children, Valor was rehearsing new band members, recording demos, and refining what would become a new era for "The Official" Christian Death. These demos hint at the building blocks that would become that foundation. They are strikingly good, and I think I would have preferred this album as opposed to what it became, "Sexy Death God". I'm not sure why "Beauty Of Temptation" was tossed as the new release, but I imagine one day when Valor is putting together an extensive anthology or box set of the band's 30 year span, some of these hidden gems will surface. Until then... enjoy until I'm told to take it away.

Oh - you can thank Shawn for helping me to pull this out of oblivion, and I believe The Graves for sharing it with me.

"Closer"

I finally watched 'Closer' this past weekend... I only recorded it about 3 months ago. I knew it was one of those things I'd have to watch on my own, and it's rare that I have that kind of time to myself. Joy Division was one of those bands I missed the boat on, I didn't really discover them until around 16 or 17... and even then, it was sporadic tracks here and there in one club or another. One afternoon, I picked up a tribute to JD, and I was blown away by the lyrical content. It prompted me to pick up 'Substance' and 'Unknown Pleasures'. Joy Division became a mood piece for me - angry desperation dictated when I would crack those jewel cases. Now having seen 'Closer', I feel a deeper empathy in his death, and even moreso for the family he left behind. Ian Curtis is no longer an enigmatic and tragic post-punk turned goth hero. The direction of his life was steered by impulsiveness, fear, and selfishness. Certainly Joy Division would of made much more of an impact on mainstream music if that tour to the U.S. had happened, it wouldn't be a band you'd have to explain to anyone over 40... but perhaps no bigger influence could have been made on underground music if Ian Curtis had not unknowingly martyred himself unto the tortured, self-loathing, and dimished masses. What should have been a tragic post-punk story a la Sid Vicious, instead evolved into an amorphous, square in a round hole gothic love tale, complete with a broken and tragic hero. Amazing that at only 23 years old, Ian Curtis and Joy Division made such an indelible mark to have become an industry that has spanned and thrived over 30 years and certainly grossed into the millions of dollars.

I am dubbing this phenomenon, Reverse Elvis Syndrome. Elvis is HUGE in Europe, and I think it's because all Europe ever saw of Elvis was his time spent in the Army in Germany. He never performed in Europe. They feel cheated but also have a tremendous longing for something they missed out on. Elvis died prematurely. America was so close to being exposed to Joy Division... but the events that unfolded made that impossible. We will never have that experience; we've been cheated and are left longing. Kind of pathetic when you break it down that way. And I can only say, if Ian Curtis hadn't been a remarkable writer, an amazing performer (an aspect I was oblvious to until 'Closer'), and truly just a troubled, normal young man - I wouldn't care less if Joy Division had ever existed. But the reality is, I've spent a lot of time on eBay this week trying to score first pressings of Joy Division's albums, and I doubt it's simply because they didn't make the flight to The States.

Washed Out - Pissed Off

We headed out to Backbooth on Saturday, a last minute decision to see Washed Out. Maisy had shared some songs with me and I was excited. Doors were at 7 PM, we arrived a few minutes late; doors weren't open. In fact, despite the cold - doors didn't open for another hour. When we finally got in, we nursed two ciders a piece for another hour.

Finally - the first band made their way to the stage, Emily Reo. Of course, with lo-fi bands, you will experience a mix of tapes, electronics, and live band - Emily Reo relied heavily on pre-recorded music and disappointingly, vocals - and her actual voice lay so buried in the noise that she not only unimpressed me, she also made me annoyed that I waited two hours for her. Mercifully, she played only 3 songs.

Next up, Holiday Shores. I totally dug song one. I totally did not dig anything that followed. It was two keyboardists facing off to one another, and a drummer. Not the worst thing I've ever experienced, and May mentioned that she thought they were fair and would like to hear studio material.

The Tenant. Clearly - one of these bands is not like the others. The Tenant is odd man out. I imagined tattoo artists that should be opening for The Black Crowes - but musically, it was an odd journey.

We started out lo-fi with a tinge of rock... but then the set was turned on it's head. Midway through a hipster's wet dream of light rolicking beach fare - we went dark into Faint territory and exploded into a frenzy of breakbeat electronics bordering on techno. Last two songs were fucking awesome!

Last up, Washed Out. Mind you, I left my watch at home, but Maisy's internal clock was ticking close to alarm. Four songs in, everything is noce, the band sounds awesome, the energy is high, and we discover the venue has sold out. "We're in for a treat!", I convince myself. Then the bottom falls out. Our singer explains that he is having "computer issues, as I'm sure you noticed, so this is going to be out last song... but we're going to jam for awhile!" The pieces come together. Anyone that frequents Backbooth knows that the venue has a midnight curfew. Maisy's alarm and this bit of info from the singer puts these two puzzle pieces painfully together into a portrait of BS. If Washed Out had sucked, it might have been a blessing, or perhaps fuel my anger on this asshole trying to maintain his cool (or geeky) image by blaming his pc (probably a Mac) - but they were good and it left me wanting a longer show. I will see them again - but I will be looking down my nose at them.

Weekend Of Music

This is one of those coping mechanisms - I choose not to think about 'problems' - so I will buy a lot of music instead. It's only slightly cheaper than heroin - but it does last a lot longer. Friday - for a mere $30 investment - I picked up 18 cds. Maisy and I decided on a listening party so we stacked the cds and went one after the other. Amazingly - the manner in which we stacked them somewhat dictated the appreciation in which we'd have for them. The were stacked as follows:

1. The White Mice: ASSPhiXXXEATATESHUN - personally, I wasn't over the top on this one. Maisy quite enjoyed it though. It is experimental hardcore, and it is the creation of three men who have taken mouse names and wear mouse heads. The tone for my album was Satanism and it's indulgences and it was brought to me by Anonymouse, Euronymouse, and Mouseteratu.
2. Eagles: Desperado - a good album but I picked this one up for my dad.
3. Cafe Tacuba: Reves/Yosoy - I can't believe I found an original of this release. It dates early in their career and this is truly the indie album among their selections. It's musically experimental and there's hints to the direction the band would go.
4. Sixpence None The Richer: Tickets For A Prayer Wheel - When I was a DJ - I would sneak Christian acts into whatever I was spinning. It's where the monicker Haloe originated. Sixpence was one of the better groups putting out music in the early 90's...and R.E.X. music were pioneers in finding the coolest bands.
5. Odd Nosdam: No More Wig For Ohio - this is an awesome find. I knew nothing about this project, who is in fact one individual; David P. Madson. He has worked on countless projects but most notably, Peeping Tom with Mike Patton. This album is in the vein of DJ Shadow - dub/hip hop/sampling. Very nice. A cross between Mody and DJ Shadow.
6. Run Lola Run (Soundtrack) - I've had a cd-r copy of this for ages - how nice to finally have the original! I love this score and when I need to be pumped for a day - on it goes.
7. Courtneys: Shake It If You Got It E.P. - Bought this on looks alone. Imagine my surprise to find out they are local. This band is fucking awesome! I WILL GO SEE THEM THIS YEAR! Total indie band that brings every influence you can imagine into their music. They are not frightened to frolic through the genres in a whimsical fashion.
8. DJ Shadow: You Can't Go Home Again - A 3-song single, with some tracks from The Private Press. Track 2, "Disavowed" features Zack de la Rocha - but before you get too wet with excitement - it's his percussion prowess, not vocal angst featured here. He did however cowrite the song and it's worth checking out!
9. Viking Moses: The Parts That Showed - this is a wonderful album. It's new folk, and if you can imagine Smog singer Bill Callahan doing a solo show after throwing back a few, you can pinpoint exactly what Viking Moses sounds like. Actually - I was so captivated by the similarity, that I had to listen to Bill Callahan the following day.
10. Viking Moses: Swollen & Small - honestly, this is where the stack of cds take a turn for the bad. This e.p. is all cover songs of Neutral Milk Hotel - and well, it's a hard listen. Actually - I don't recommend listening at all. No Bill Callahan here - more like a studio filled with confused people teaching autistic adults how to sew with musical instruments. Doesn't make sense, right? Exactly.
11. Keleton DMD: Dirtriders - oooh. Too much Jawbreaker in their diet. Skip. Don't let the track Sex Hawk fool you into thinking you are in for anything other than a fantasy about your lunch lady from high school.
12. Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys: Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys - Neither Maisy nor myself knew what to think of this upon appearances alone. She went with Dresden Dolls - I steered toward Stabbing Westward. It's unfortunate that we were both wrong, and how sad is that? It is not goth, it is not new cabaret, it is not industrial or even indie. It is pretty lame though. You've probably heard the term steampunk - it probably makes you want to drink your own pee like it does me... this however is a group of steampunks with too much free time and access to drugs... they have developed steamcrunk. Nuff said - go kill yourself now.
13. Shannon Murray / Ryan Harvey: Love & Fear - yeah. nice little b & w paper cover had me thinking, "cool", and I flip it over to see a coinage of words that had me say outloud, "COOL!". Those words were, "RIOTFOLK". Awesome - I am imagining Devendra Banheart getting ahold of some bad acid. Bring it on! Then you listen, and you realize the riot is meant for you - I wanted to go burn some buildings and torch some hippies for making me think this was going to be cool.
14. Sunburned: GLEK - You should win some sort of prize just for figuring out who in the hell this was. Once you do figure it out - you then simply need to filter out the 130 other releases since 2002 to find out more about what you're holding. I wish 131 releases in 8 years was an exaggeration, but it whole-heartedly is not. This is ambient experimental music - not bad...but definitely something one has to be in the mood for.
15. Ultralyd: Chromosome Gun - Free Jazz, Funk, and suck.
16. Myndsight: The Wicked You - turns out this is another local band. Obviously Maynard from Tool and Layne of Alice In Chains had children - who knew? I bet I could sell this has unheard Alice In Chains and Tool demos on eBay! The sad part is, they waited until 2005 to jump a burned and buried bandwagon.
17. Mommy And Daddy: Fighting Style Killer Panda E.P. - a two-piece band. They should hire more musicians. They are stuck somewhere between hard rock, post punk, and alternative rock - but none of it blends too well at all.
18. Mommy And Daddy: Mommy And Daddy E.P. - this is better than the other e.p. actually. When "daddy" sings - he emulates Johnny Rotten, whom I like. When "mommy" sings - it's not good at all. I actually can't figure out how out of all the bands in NYC, this found it's way abroad.

Screen Vinyl Image - "Ice Station"

What's cooler than picking up the new 7-inch or 12-inch and pulling out some deliciously colored vinyl? Well, if the current trend among indie bands is one to covet - then it's a deliciously colored cassette. Numerous bands on a variety of labels; Sub Pop is no exception - have chosen to offer limited releases on cassette. So far, to the best of my knowledge, these releases have consisted of live material, demo material, b-sides, or remixes - this is no exception. Ice Station inludes 2 new tracks, 4 live tracks, a demo, and 4 songs recorded during studio sessions. What I wasn't prepared for was how incredible this cassette was going to be. Every song is masterfully executed, and this release outshines anything the band has done previously. It leaves me coveting a new full length.

Screen Vinyl Image, for those unfamiliar with them are among the crop of new shoegaze bands to emerge - carrying with them the best of elements of the early-nineties darlings MBV, Lush, Slowdive, etc. and integrating the soundscape with electronics, and JAMC Psychocandy-esque noise. It's an exquisite visit - and though few can come close to the perfection that A Place To Bury Strangers has mastered, there is enough deviation and experimentation by their peers to provide fodder for those seeking more. "All Places", the final track on this release is so gentle in it's approach, you're barely coherant for the abrupt end. Sort of like having the adrenaline syringe stabbed into your heart to bring you back from places unknown and all too comfortable. "Siberian Eclipse (Demo)" would serve well as the soundtrack to "2001: A Space Odyssey", or any Kubrick film for that matter. As a whole - this release is amazing. It is still available through their site, and you will get a download code so you don't have to tear into your cellophane if you don't want to. I haven't (yet). I hope to see them live this year. I don't think they've been through my neck of the woods, but hopefully that will change.

Death Of Samantha - "Where The Women Wear The Glory And The Men Wear The Pants"

In the late 80's/early 90's - I was struggling to find new music. Major chains like Record Bar and Tracks had created a small section of "Alternative" music. At the time, finding any of it on cd was damn near impossible, not to mention extortion - so cassettes were my only course of pursuit. This has actually worked out, in that this all was taking place when the tapes from the 80's were going out of print, labels were going under, and these two chains were about so die a quiet death.

Death Of Samantha; this cassette in particular was one that I picked up at least a half dozen times over the course of a year...and put down. I was intrigued by the way they looked (the album's cover made that intrigue possible), but there was no track listing on the j-card. It was completely unheard of for any of the tapes in the "Alternative" section to be anything under $9.99. I think out of complete lack of curiosity about anything else, I finally bought this. I played it - and didn't play it again for about 8 years. I didn't dig it then. Thousands of years passed, the internet was invented, and my friend Shawn began throwing me musical curveballs from all directions. In an effort to show him I wasn't utterly lame and had some music of interest, I started digging thru the dusty side of the tape rack. I rediscovered this cassette. The band is a mix of post punk/glam rock, and it's actually quite good. There's touches of Bowie, T-Rex and The Stooges, and progressive rock. I don't think 1988 was looking for a band the flew the flag of 70's glam and thus were forced to swim the rivers of obscurity. It seems like Death Of Samantha would be one of those bands that has a small, hardcore fanbase. "Lucky Dog (Lost My Pride)" is an epic flow across genres and stands out amongst the others.

However, this tape (mine is on Homestead/Dutch East) - suffers from sound level inconsistency. Quite annoying. It even starts getting wavy - grrrr.

Fields Of The Nephilim - "Laura"

I bought this cassette, new, in probably '90. I have to be honest, I had never heard of FOTN before this point, and upon listening to the tape, I wasn't a believer. "Laura" was a good song, but nothing else won me over. The tape got relegated to the dusty side of the tape racks and now and again would be pulled out to dub "Laura" onto one comp or another. I think when I saw Hardware, I once again gave the tape a listen. Still, "no!" I read this week that FOTN did some shows around Christmas throughout Germany. Made the tiny gears in my brain creak to life and spit out the thought that I should try this again. I'm sorry, it's still not there. I dig the image, hell, I even dig that this is one of those bands that to the outside observer is Sisters Of Mercy, but I'm sorry - maybe this is a horrible choice to be representative of Fields Of The Nephilim - but it isn't good. It's not dark, moody, brooding, or atmospheric, I'm pained to even call this gothic rock. Buy a 12-inch of "Laura", put on Hardware, and think about how awesome this band should be. If I am missing the magic - enlighten me, point me to a more accurate representation of The Nephilim and if I'm wrong, I'll say it.