Epitonic Newsletter: Vol. 4, No. 36 'Beyond the Pale Returns to SF'
11/15/02
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For the second straight year, Neurot Recordings seeks to take
San Franciscans to the land on the other side of color with their
terrific Beyond the Pale festival, an event which brings together
a diverse group of artists whose common traits are a progressive
spirit and a somber worldview. The event got underway last night
at the DNA Lounge and continues through the weekend, with scheduled
performances from Neurosis, Steel Pole Bathtub, Pleasure Forever,
Stars of the Lid, and many others. For more information on Beyond
the Pale, visit the festival website.
The playlist this week features a half dozen artists who will be
performing at Beyond the Pale. Also included are new tunes from
The Legendary Pink Dots and Black Heart Procession as well as
lots of other great stuff with that distinct Beyond the Pale flavor.
In other news, we want to tell you about a new radio player our
buddies at sputnik7.com developed that employs Epitonic's music
catalogue. Those of you who desire an alternative to Epitonic's
radio feature should cruise on over to http://www.sputnik7.com
and click on "radio stations" to enjoy the excellent rock,
electronic, and eclectic programs there.
Finally, you've probably noticed our new look and we want to thank
those of you who've already commented on it. If you have an opinion
about our facelift and haven't offered it to us, we encourage you
share your feelings on our message board.
"Sovereign"
by
Neurosis
Neurosis is the most dangerous band in the world. They blend metal, industrial, and punk rock to create a dark, cathartic sound that is operatic, epic, and beautifully violent in the manner of all-consuming fires and volcanic eruptions. If the apocalypse has a soundtrack, this is it.
"Goodnight"
by
Pleasure Forever
Three former members of The VSS wrap around your spine like an autoerotic electric eel. Take this blood capsule with caution as it may transport your soul into a Joy Divisionesque blur of reality and sorrow.
"In Metal"
by
Low
You can call them what you like -- "slowcore," "sadcore," or what have you -- but you can't argue with the fact that this Minnesota trio makes exquisitely, overwhelmingly powerful music. With minimal arrangements never consisting of more than a guitar, bass, keyboard, delicate strings, a hint of percussion, and sublime vocal harmonies, Low has the impact of a full symphony orchestra.
"Twice Born"
by
Steve Von Till
Imagine all the apocalyptic fire and fury of Neurosis stripped away, leaving only a hollow feeling of alienation and disillusionment. That's what the solo work of Neurosis frontman Steve Von Till sounds like: minimal, lonesome, intensely personal musical voyages of self-discovery.
"Requiem for Dying Mothers part 1"
by
Stars of the Lid
Austin ambient rock duo Stars of the Lid have made a career out of elevating the consciousness through the medium of the shimmering, strange, effects-heavy instrumental drone. Their nocturnal sound is next to impossible to describe, but something near heaven to experience.
"Origin Unknown"
by
Tribes of Neurot
Not so much a Neurosis side project as a counterpart to Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot is a musical collective which explores Neurosis's dark, bleak, apocalyptic vision with layers of brooding, damaged ambient noise rather than with rage and fury.
"The Warden"
by
The Legendary Pink Dots
Too adventurous for the goth orthodoxy, too apocalyptic in mythology for psych/space rock, the Legendary Pink Dots have skirted the fringes of a number of genre idioms for two decades, amassing a diverse catalogue of surreal pop experiments.
"Hot Mating Ritual"
by
Dabrye
Under the guise of Dabrye, talented Ann Arbor based electronic producer Tadd Mullinix records a glitchy yet startlingly graceful brand of abstract hip hop dominated by crunchy beats and drifting melodies. It's a unique style that embraces you gently but doesn't let you go.
"You Like This Machine?"
by
Bug Orchestra
Under his many guises, Fabrice Lig produces warm heartfelt techno and house for a multitude of labels, including F-Communications, KMS, and 7th City. Mike Banks has described him as "a part of Detroit's dance music history," which for a white boy from Belgium is an accolade indeed.
"Dad, There's a Little Phrase Called Too Much Information"
by
Out Hud
Sacramento's Out Hud is a pendulum swinging back and forth between dub, electro and funk, while somehow remaining deeply rooted in punk rock and the indie underground.
"Sub Species"
by
Techno Animal
Kevin Martin and Justin Broadrick become depraved "technological animals" through their brilliantly dark production of distorted and mechanical beats. Their punishing bass and beastly noise is somehow all mixed into the same sonic space with a parade of wacked-out MCs from the camps of Warp, Matador, and the nearby nether regions.
"Broken Neck"
by
Red Stars Theory
James Bertram from 764-Hero and Jeremiah Green from Modest Mouse have played together in Red Stars Theory, a group that draws influence from their more permanent projects, but offers a more delicate and haunting sound.
"Tropics of Love"
by
The Black Heart Procession
San Diego's Black Heart Procession creates joyfully melancholy, haunting, broken-hearted music that defies categorization. The band's black-and-blue gloom is like a liquid thing, flowing into those hollow spaces that open up inside when those you're closest to leave you behind.
"Who Died"
by
The Hot Snakes
The classic double guitar attack of Rick Froberg and John Reis returns in the form of the Hot Snakes. Best known for their collaborations in Drive Like Jehu and Pitchfork, Reis and Froberg steer members of Delta 72, Burning Brides, and Tanner on a rock and roll collision course straight for your stereo.
