From Luke Keenan Sent Wed, Jun 3rd 1998, 07:37
From Luke Keenan Sent Wed, Jun 3rd 1998, 07:37
had an entertaining weekend, Speedranch and V/Vm were performing at an all-nighter in sheffield. the phrase to use in these situations is: "it's an interesting space". Another bleeding art/music event, but the focus this time was definitely the music. We got there at about 10. Found the venue purely by luck. An act called 'the veilgudd brothers' serenaded us till about 1 with a collection of fractured tones & noises. exceedingly good, with a lot of live input from the pair. Its very much in the mego style, but less sterile than Farmers Manual. I hope to hear more. Ian ATx also span a few choices cuts. His magazine, Autotoxicity, is due out soon. Its mighty fine, but god knows how you'll get too see a copy, it's a non web publication. Details nearer the event. VVm arrived later, after travelling down from the previous nights work in Sterling, The plan had been to perform a live PA, but a combination of exhaustion, a poor setup, and a suspected hostile crowd led to a dj set instead. But first, Speedranch on the decks. The space was pretty rammed by now, and Winston (Forgemaster) Hazel was pleasing the crowd with a seamless house mix. It seemed a shame to spoil their fun, but Speedy was cajoled into 'clearing the room' -the promoters words. So, a barrage of heavy beats and cut up vocals followed. The room largely cleared in 10 mins. Fair enough, there were two other djs to choose from in the other spaces, but some pillock decided to air his disgust by shouting abuse, turning lights on/off, on/off, pulling cables out etc. this slightly spoiled the enjoyment of the remaining few, who were getting some distorted dark-core and loving it. it took about 20 mins to sort the sound, the top end finally arrived halfway through jega's 'stainless steel drum', which sounded superb rising from out of the noise. V/Vm followed with an eighties mix inna mobile-disco-dave style. The Kids from Fame, The Weather Girls, Lieutenant Pigeon, The Birdie Song, Frank Sinatra and many,many more were inflicted upon a crowd who lapped it up. I swear I saw half of Milli Vanilli vogueing to 'It's raining men', but that may have been sleep deprivation side effects. I also have vivid memories of a large white pitbull roaming round, sniffing crotches. And a headless child in a romper suit, being carried aloft on broad shoulders. Splendid night all round. The latest VVm release is brilliant, a different approach this time. Rough and ready, if you will. Vertiginous. Also picked up: Map One: contaminated by technique - by members of this parish of course. Theres a high standard throughout, and there's enjoyment to be had, but its all reminiscent/derivative of the well known. Its easily said, but I've heard aphex twin, and autechre, and they are difficult to improve upon. So why try? Abuse me if you like, i'll keep listening, this is just first impressions. My expectations were too high i suppose. Jega- type xero. Again, its good, but i wanted more. more tunes. info: pitbull, carbon 60, Intron v,Naem. ziq001 0n planet u. Bannlust- Digital tensions. This i like. despite the lack of tunes, pedestrian pace, and the obvious autechre influences.