In the early eighties of last century, like many other declining industrial cities, the town of Grublit was a pretty grim place. Against this backdrop, dominated by brick and steel carcasses of redundant factories a lively counterculture thrived. 

What to think of the infamous "salsa extravaganza" Los Infantilos for instance, who, during their first and last live performance, turned VU's Venus in Furs into an unknown episode of Jackass? But more was going on, halfway the decade one of the initiatives was the Katharos Foundation, a loose collective of outsiders, self-proclaimed artists who, by the act of collaboration found a way to express their ideas and thoughts. Besides several multimedia events and concerts, the Foundation published some compilation cassettes, a magazine and a video magazine.

As music was the core activity, the Foundation harboured several bands. One of these projects was Sluagh Ghairm consisting of Reinier Brekelmans and Reinoud van den Broek. At that time the sound was atmospheric, industrial but not particularly aimed at the feet. Inspiration was drawn from a wide range of sources, music from all over the world and of all times, but also from philosophy, science, literature and last but not least nature. One particular notion, amongst others, is that we humans are part of nature,instead of being apart from or above it, Homo sapiens evolved in the same manner and from the same source as did Culex pipiens, the latter being the more successful. A humbling yet liberating and challenging notion that needed to be communicated, at least we thought so then......and, although supposedly wiser, still do. 

For the realisation of their ideas they were aided by the musically ever busy Robbert Heijnen who, almost casually and often unasked for, always added something extra and indispensable. Robbert's interest in electronic music made him eager to explore experimental studio set-ups that found a willing ear in us. This collaboration would eventually evolve into PWOG. Something had to trigger it though.

In 1988 we were invited to this party which we attended rather reluctantly for it being all "Love and Happiness".  Hours later, coming to our senses again, covered in sweat, completely relaxed and satisfied amidst a crowd of all kinds of other smiling faces who apparently had just shared the same experience, the last acidic beats of the Second Summer of Love still ringing in their ears too, things had changed. 

Probably silly but it only then occurred to us that the dance could be a powerful tool too, a way to communicate on a physical level, a way to celebrate life. A niche had opened and this was something we had to explore....not to copy but to incorporate. The  ensuing project was given the ludicrous working title Psychic Warriors of Gaia which wasn't supposed to stick.

Reinoud van den Broek (2015)

A2. Exit 23

Sacred Summits is a label run by Lindsay Todd (Firecracker/Shevchenko/Unthank) and Stuart Leath (Emotional Rescue/Emotional Response/Especial ) to unearth the best and weirdest. Be it cave-dwelling, tree-dwelling or synth-dwelling sounds, we've repackaged them in the most desirable of audio formats. All LP editions are remastered by Dubplate & Mastering, Berlin and then screen printed and hand-numbered by House of Traps.   Distributed worldwide exclusively by Honest Jon's Records, London.

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