Date: Thu, 01 Jun 1995 22:39:43 -0400 CAMBODIA : A ZINE FOR PEOPLE WHO FIND MUSIC TOO SLOW VOL 1 #4 Welcome to Cambodia. CONTENTS Art is not a Game Reviews, etc. -First off, thanks to those who put us up and generally were completely excellent human beings this past tour cause it pretty much sucked. it was our third tour this spring and for some reason all the shitty things about clubs just culminated and converged on us this time out. it can only get better, i suppose. -Web stuff still getting organized. very soon. -2nd edition of Carducci's Rock and the Pop Narcotic is out on Rollin's book label. Haven't read it yet. -my monitor keeps flipping out on me. -doing the landscaping thing now. good money. hopefully will pull me out of the monetary black hole i've been sitting in for the last 8 months. but therefore very tired at end of day, hence not much stuff this month. -june craw tour has been cut short due to many reasons - tentative schedule at end ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ART IS NOT A GAME This ish i'm gonna take some advice from a few people and include a little more ranting than i have before. its a little more coherant in larger chunks. oh yeah, i almost forgot that the idea behind this is to be a forum, what with all you slackers not sending me rebuttals and shit. theres over 400 of you subscribed. lame. ------------------- The media money grinder really then separates the men from the boys, the indie hounds from the compromising commodity creators. When as an independent band your life centers around dishwashing jobs because of their availability and doing van tours making barely enough to feed yourselves and get to the next city, remaining poor because you lose every job you can get when you go out on the road, you start to get an idea of how very dedicated such artists really are. Booking themselves and playing for 50 people and maybe selling a few thousand copies of an album even if they chart on the college charts isn't the pretty boy pop star scene. Its too much work. It also helps explain the short half life of most bands - way too much stress and 'life sucks' outlooks with virtually marital scale relationships between the band members. The mid nineties, with its grunge/alternative paradigm kicking hard, artistically speaking is doing its best to overt the underground artistic voice by creating its own. "Alternative" music's mass approval has alot to do with the combination of many different styles of rock and pop over the last three decades - Sixties creative expressionisms, seventies hard rock and punk riffin' and eighties independent movements that, when taken out of context and raped such that the only remaining connections are what the market has previously found attractive, presents us with a new form of pop that almost everyone who has listened to the radio over the last 30 years can enjoy. But its called "alternative" - to me in theory that should intrinsically imply that they are true artists who have lived a poor punk rock life and now are garnering in their big break. yeah, whatever. We are now seeing young pop artists with the ability to feign rock suffering/sensibilities without actually getting in a van packed with gear and sweat and touring in mid january without a heater. Mass Media 1, Rock/Art 0. And a perfectly illustrated example of how the music audience has become less literate and more dependent on the electronic big brother voice of our global networks and franchises. The mass audience is a mass audience because its members do not feel psychologically naked without a privately held cultural hammer with which to hit presumed inferiors over the head (art as a weapon, indeed). In fact, the mass audience is purely a media audience, not generally speaking a record buying, concert going one. - Carducci Despite this apocalyptic view on art and in particular the state of independent music, we are actually witnessing a few semi-successes who have done it all by themselves - Fugazi, Jesus Lizard, Shellac - and a few more pop up each year in the post Nirvana wake (ha ha). One would hope that, in addition to the fact that these particular bands happen to be very musically gifted, these audiences are becoming more knowledged and aware that art in the music industry has been severely damaged and are banding together in support of independent music. But the part of the crowd who believes "indie or nothing" and screams sell out to anyone anyone who has enough money to purchase a new amp, let alone talk to a record label is not that condusive to the effort either. For one, its not open to options - everything is black or white. That kind of black and white thinking is on the same wavelength as pure racism or bigotry. At least this theory has good intentions but the real world application falls short of going anywhere. So what about using the new world tools of media and global franchises to the fullest extent possible while retaining your own agenda. Fawcett seems to think that this is the way its going to have to be if any artist plans to survive on their art. Having recognized what is happening to art ... I propose that the subject of alternatives to the small and shrinking plot of barren territory assigned to artists within this new Imperium called the Global Village be opened. ... let me take the position that survival of the body is not the ultimate goal of life - not personal survival nor the survival of the existing body of forms that are accepted as the structural bases for written literature. Let the old ways die. And if art and artists are not to disappear with them, they had better be prepared to commit piracy on any technique that will float and carry content. - Fawcett If he's right we're in big trouble. Lets take a real world example of someone who started out with fine intentions, went major with fine intentions and turned out pretty fucking lame. Mr. MTV Sports reporter Henry Rollins. In an interview with him a few years ago he said that he viewed signing to a major like guerilla warfare where he had to go into enemy territory to strike before he could advance in his own war. Great way of putting it and a very admirable thought. So what happened? MTV Sports, Mac powerbooks, movies, Details, etc., etc. Hank got so caught up in his war that he forgot what he was originally fighting for and turned into a media whore. Mass Media 2, Rock/Art 0. At least he still has his book label. I almost forgot why I used to think he was the shit way back in junior high and high school til I recently read Get In The Van, his black flag diaries. very excellent stuff. Granted its only one example, but I'm finding it rather difficult to think of an example of someone who has gone to the big leagues that hasn't compromised in one way or another. Even bands who are getting very nice control in their contracts are changing in slight (or not so slight) ways. Helmet, Cop Shoot Cop, even Fudge Tunnel (Creep Diets). Examples of bands who started out doing shit that totally went beyond anyone else and are now putting out shit (Fudge Tunnel's thing with Columbia didn't pan out after creep diets and the new one is back on just Earache - it kinda smokes.) I don't think this is a thought out phoenomenon. These bands are given alot of money to record an album, tour, and for promotion - all of which is generally recoupable and the band owes back to the label. This puts the pressure on to write music that will go over so the band can move some product and hopefully recoup what it owes the label. The thing is, if they don't sell alot and make back all this money the label gave them, chances are thats the end of the band cause the pressures of recording another album that will recoup itself and the previous one, let alone the fact that if they don't move more product they'll get dropped, will break the band up. Thats kind of a heavy thing to deal with when you're a band member. And therefore fuels a perhaps subconcious urge for some to be pop, not rock stars. So even though the "Major Label Sucks" attitude in theory sucks itself, there hasn't been any shining examples otherwise, which is especially distressing since this new music paradigm is the opportunity we've all been waiting for. (actually, i lied - the melvins are the only band still worth every ounce AND on a major) ----------------- H8UAL@aol.com graciously contributes this: ....one person can bring about the change. We just need more of that one person. Tackle huge monoliths like talk radio or just your hometown. Pranks have been highly neglected lateley ...Lets start with pranks. A flyer is an invaluable prank tool. For example: Jessie Helms comes to speak at your local assembly hall. The night before you cover every flat surface with a doctored photo of Helms doing an un-Helmslike act---stay away from x-rated scenes...for some reason they really incur a vengeful search and arrest--otherwise you will be fine....a flyer talking about how you <not your real name moron> and several of your followers will set yourselves on fire if some rediculous demand isn't met is good for controversy...send one to the media_JUST_NEVER_ADMIT_YOU_DID_IT....don't form an organization-don't pick out a catchy name...thats why people get caught.___Talk radio can be toppled as well. Call up Rush Limbaugh with a ligitimate guise of some kind...start out sincere but then work your way over to the abortion issue and praise Rush for finally helping to force what we right thinking christians new all along....--try to be subtle--but get more and more fanatical--this basically unnerves the host along with the rest of middle-america. Each talk show host has a weak spot in their belief system_it is up to you to exploit it...I can't stress the importance of a good prank enough_the best pranks are the ones you do on the people who like it the least...Calling up a local business pretending you are representing a local church and that for a small fee the preacher will praise your establishment during his sermon is a good start---but be creative, dont stop with that. There are two kinds of pranks; the ones where you just simply fool someone, and the ones where you actually yell and scream and threaten them ex. "If you don't agree to refund mah money for the spoilt cabbage ah bought from yer store me and my boys are gunna come down un whup yer ass"...and remember_ALWAYS_RECORD_THESE_PHONE_CALLS_!!!_ most answering machines will record them and you can buy an adaptor at radio shack. if you have any sense at all you will send the recordings to me. I have given you some basic ideas now go out and turn them into something cool!...don't wait around to be entertained_another little-used tool you can use to turn the table is reverse tactics on people that harrass others. When anti-abortionists harrass patients at a hospital casually infiltrate them and tell them you are getting a database of like-minded people for your newsletter--after getting as many addresses as you can...gather up a group of friends and stand outside their homes--put anti-whomever propoganda in their neighbors mailboxes etc...these people aren't used to the pressure being focused on themselves...oh yeah and VOTE...even if you think it's just some dipshit local election it really does make a difference...One last thing--if you are into underground music/culture then SUPPORT IT!! go see local bands...support e-zines...hell, start your own, I'll be looking for it. -----H8UAL@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEWS, ETC. Some more reviews from Jeff/Subversive Workshop. Send him a couple of stamps and get a very cool zine. GLAZED BABY - KARMIC DEBT: Please, Lord, let 1995 be the year that spawns more bands like Glazed Baby! More hostile, abrasive trios (although they are now a four piece and even better and uglier than before) with audio torture addictions. More stark, bludgeoning songs about death and corruption to stomp listeners into mushy, flesh-and-bone-splinter heaps. This band is as monstrously heavy as they come, as noisy and violent as a train derailing and totally unfashionable in light of the recent trend in music towards anthemic pop/punk. KARMIC DEBT is rumbling, disturbing music to murder your neighbors by. (Red Decibel, Inc., 2217 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404) PAINKILLER - EXECUTION GROUND: EXECUTION GROUND is Painkiller's most forward-thinking release. I say this because after the trio gets their standard jazz-on-drugs spasm/orgasm blowout out of their collective band system, they stretch into realms of tight dub texture-thumping and ambient nightmare-scapings. Disc One features three extended tracks (all over fourteen minutes long) that are anything but comforting music. John Zorn vomits his distinctive sax bleatings and treatments all over Bill Laswells's(note for Rockie--please correct last word to "Laswell's") mountain range-sized, sometimes distorted/sometimes clean and thwanging bass and Mick Harris' never-still-for-more-than-moment drumwork. Mix it all up with a subtly spooky use of sampling and horrific screams from Zorn and Laswell, and you have something discomfortingly jazzy to put fear into your soul. Disc Two is the beautiful black gem of the pair, however. It is two very long ambient versions of "Pashupatinath" and "Parish Of Tama" from the first disc. Incredible, inspired sound-sculpted work . . . to say the least. Do not listen to this disc in dark room alone. Sounds like a cliche, but I mean it. It's not for the easily spooked. Coupled with the progressive elements of Disc One, this one makes EXECUTION GROUND Painkiller's landmark, and finest, recording. (Subharmonic, 180 Varick St., New York, NY 10014) -Jeff McLeod/THE SUBVERSIVE WORKSHOP, 219 So. Capitol Pkwy., Montgomery, AL 36107 e-mail: 75321.2755@compuserve.com ------------------------ LiveReviews, BinaryScale 1=good, 0=bad The nakeds 0 (this needs explanation - 13-17 year olds doing the punk thing - they were very good being their 3rd show ever but their singer is just way too annoying) dimbulb 1 clawhammer 0 knucklefish 1 season to risk 1 philo beddow 1 small factory 0 nice people, but not my teacup duvalby bros. 1 best band out of cleveland now bad brains 0 sorry, even the original lineup just doesn't rock anymore hum 1 almost too formulated but still good drill kitty 1 primitive 1 --------------------- Our new friend Brett let us crash on his floor and showed us a fine time on our last tour. he also sent me this ... thanks for making me blush. CRAW IN KNOXVILLE TN @ THE MERCURY THEATER MAY 3RD Craw reigned down on the crowd with their own brand of music and mindset. The show started with the first track off LOST NATION ROAD "the sound of every promise." though the crowd was somewhat small CRAW played with the enthusiasm and intensity. I learned very quickly into the set that when CRAW plays it is about more than angst---it is about an in-your-face bold artistic musical statement. Along with the savage sound there is an underlying genius that comes together through a, sometimes abrasive, always inventive series of over-the-top interludes. The vocals were performed with an unnerving rawness that was set off by the sinister smile the vocalist had on his face as the mayhem unfolded. At the shows end I witnessed people walking away with CRAW albums under their arms and a smile on their faces. We eagerly anticipate their return to Knoxville to give people what only CRAW can give. Few bands can take the sound of a distorted guitar, vocals, drums and bass and turn it in to something that defies classification---CRAW acheives this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CRAW in the van june 3 Kalamazoo, Mi 15 Toronto NXNE Festival 24 NYC 25 Philadelphia 26 Philadelphia 27 Baltimore 28 D.C. 29 Richmond 30 Norfolk Tentative at best - this was set up by a friend and it didn't come together as planned. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, feel free to send the choke, inc guys demo tapes, etc. CHOKE, INC. 1376 W. GRAND AVE. CHICAGO, IL. 60622 choke@spagmumps.com Booking info for craw mail me or call 2162312907 and ask for dave. booking info for morsel and hairy patt band call 5139610357 ask for lucia. booking info on JAKS call 3132131457 or 3132131280 'Shee, you guys are so unhip its a wonder your bums don't fall off' --- rockie@neurosis.wariat.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WWW stuff located at "http://kzsu.stanford.edu/uwi.html" under Shopping Maul ... Thanks Jon. -- Renewal. Americans are crazy about renewal. - R. M. Nixon