AUGUST 2015

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

LIES-026.5
Antenes-Fire Rises
from upcoming three track ep
to be released April 2015

www.antenes.net
https://www.facebook.com/lesantenes

Antenes-Fire Rises (LIES-026.5)

Adam X is back with his third album release under his industrial guise, ADMX-71. Following releases with the legendary label Hands and his own imprint, Sonic Groove Experiments, Adam paired up with L.I.E.S Records in 2014 for Redacted Files, a 12” single of slowed-down and tense EBM wizardry. Adam returns to the L.I.E.S. front with Coherent Abstractions, a brand new album of singular experiments that pull from every corner of electronic music's landscape into a comprehensive and propulsive full-length. 

Coherent Abstractions pulsates with fractured rhythms, vacillating melodies and mesmerizing compositions that showcase Adam's impressive history working in all aspects of the underbelly of electronic music. Noise and industrial elements seep into the album's 11 songs, churning the cold and abrasive into feverish new territory. Though Coherent Abstractions operates primarily in sounds of solitude, guest vocalist Janina joins "Bound and Broken" for a rare vocal collaboration on an ADMX-71 track. We also hear a frantic vocal performance from the producer on Nearing Obliteration which is undoubtedly the apex of the album.

Throughout the album the music sweeps from breakbeat noir, anxious electronic dub to reflective industrial modes making Coherent Abstractions an engaging and varied listen, updating a late 80's EBM tone into modern sound design environments, while pushing a reverence for the past and heading into the deep unknown of the future. 

For those unfamiliar with Adam's deeply rooted history in the New York underground, he and his brother, Frankie Bones, pioneered techno in a post-disco, pre-Guiliani, New York City through the late-eighties and onwards past the nineties producing countless records under and finally opening their own shop and record label, Sonic Groove. At the same time they began throwing renegade parties, known as STORM RAVE throughout the 5 boroughs. which was, until this time unheard of in such a major U.S. metropolis and opened the door for what was to come.

Their record store Sonic Groove served as an essential hub for purchasing cutting edge electronic music from which they imported from across the globe. The shop also functioned as a crucial meeting point for likeminded freaks throughout the city to exchange ideas.

Furthermore, Adam was one of the most notorious train writers in the history of NYC graffitti as he trespassed the system and infiltrated train yards during a time when it was thought that the yards were impenetrable. After deciding to exit the world of graffiti he focused his energy solely on music. As time went by we've heard Adam transform his sound from fast paced hard techno to metal beat driven industrialized EBM, the sounds of the train yard always present in his music carrying him forward.

You can also check out a comprehensive article about Adam and Frankie and their relationship with music and graffitti in New York City below.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/features/2015/ballad/index.html

pre-order here

ADMX-71 - Phenomenalist (LIES-067)

sample recorded live at voice of the valley 7/25/15, looped and layered at suite 309 7/28/15

joints4sale

Bonus intro track to Psionics / Brochymena (grip: https://rubbercitynoise.bandcamp.com/album/psionics-brochymena)

Black Unicorn — Psi Prelude

Major S/O's to one of Chicago's finest for sharing this beautiful recording with us. As predicted it's a eclectic and captivating stroll through the collection of one of America's most underrated selectors, get familiar!

Recorded on November 22nd, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois and later broadcasted via the WWW from TRP HQ in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 23rd, 2015.

Visit the complete Pacific Rhythm Radio archive here: www.wearetrp.com/portfolio/pacific-rhythm/

Pacific Rhythm Radio - November 23rd, 2015 - Solson (Chicago, IL)

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.

A2. Exit 23

Sacred Summits

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