An Exciting Musical Opportunity

Why not know thyself?

II confess that I go places in hope of finding certain types of people. We can all relate to the concept of seeking certain environments in the hope of finding situations conducive to our own growth and comfort. Analysis of such quests has often been used in our attempt to establish the identity of others; if a person hangs around folk who like art we equate a love of art with that person's identity. Now if we try to apply this analysis to ourselves we may discover that we don't often find what we are truly seeking.
Much of the time what we are searching for is an outward expression of self. While we may find dim reflections of what we seek expressed in others, often we leave with a feeling of disappointed. How rare it is, to find someone looking for the same thing. And when we do, what Joy! If we only expand our awareness and search out the truth of our choices and desires we should become better acquainted not only with how others perceive us, but also with our true identity. (Joseph Gutschmidt)

Music for the Deaf

Style is everything. Especially when you are young and don’t have much of anything, style is integrity. Style is identity.

Generation after generation seeks to find novel forms of expression that fit their own personal vision. In music, this means the creation of new styles and genres.

The latest emerging genre, in direct contrast with the mainstream while gaining a strong fan following and adherents in the American Midwest, has been titled NOISE. This trend may take on many forms and appeal to a divergent audience, but a similar thread can be traced among its adherents—a disgust for commercial marketing and categorization of music, a disregard for traditional understanding of ‘music’, and a more do-it-yourself attitude towards recording and creating band related merchandise as objects of art. Noise bands follow a philosophy similar to John Cage’s, in that anything can be music, with the idea that "There is no noise, only sound." Noise bands impose a broader definition of what music is to encompass more dissonant and painful sound structures. “Noise” musicians remind us that the boundaries that distinguishes music from noise are culturally defined.

I find this area of music very thought provoking and engaging. If you have the opportunity, check out some of the links. A strong start for the noise ‘category’ emerged from the first industrial band Throbbing Gristle’s magical understanding of sound and performing in art galleries and performance art halls. The group was more of a cult than a traditional ‘rock band.’

Japan has a strong collection of noise architects. In such a closed, communal society that enforces conformity, noise artists are a strong break from the surrounding culture. The live performances often involve many taboo-breaking elements, such as mutilation, sadomasochism and totalitarian imagery. One popular Japanese noise duo’s live performance involved the amplified sounds of a vacuum cleaner hose choking on the performer’s erection while the other band member rolled around on the floor screaming incoherently. Japan is home to other big name noise acts including Masonna , Boredoms, and KK Null.

Here in the States, noise bands are often very painful to listen to and damaging to hear live, as they often play at very high decibels (150+). In the Midwest, there has been a blending of noise, punk and avant-garde influences among bands like Metalux, Sunn 0))), and Wolf Eyes.

If anything, check out the hilarious MOTHERS AGAINST NOISE site. Probably a joke, but informative and funny all in the same—MAN (Eric Zimmerman)

Prometheus Definition Poll

Finally, democracy is getting somewhere. This November, Wisconsin voters will decide on the definition of a word: “marriage.” In recognition of this landmark step for American democracy, Prometheus Polling Service has readied its first public poll. Instead of defining marriage, we have decided to have you, our readers, define a term that has been declining in popularity even faster than marriage. The term is, of course, “ham radio.” Remember, as you make your choice, that you are living out democracy, and that you are ensuring that your children will remember ham radio as whatever they want to think that it is.

Please choose the answer which best defines “ham radio” for you.

a) the action or the power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear
b) a radiocommunication service in which radio apparatus are used for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication or technical investigation by individuals who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest
c) the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law
d) game played between two teams on a rectangular field having two goalposts at each end and whose object is to get the ball over a goal line or between goalposts by running, passing, or kicking
e) Write-in definition:_____________________
f) A, B, & D
g) None of the above

(Nick Jordan)