“…Out of the woodworks?” From where does this confusing idiom come? Where was the original “woodworks” and what initially came from such an ambiguous location that deserves a comparison, meaning “to appear unexpectedly?” And now that I’ve over-elaborated on this irrelevant conundrum of mine, dare I allow myself to use it to describe the place where all of these amazing bands have been coming from? No, I must search the caverns of my hippocampus for the memory of an analogy, suitable for… arghhhh… brain… hurt… Did I just say “hippo campus?” Never mind. My thought process has been scrambled from bong rips, coffee and listening to good, experimental spazz. What I’ve been trying so say is that a band called White Suns, from Brooklyn, is playing at The Devil’s Playground on Wednesday, February 24 and I would like to describe how good they are with words-on-the-Internet.
White Suns, formed in 2006, is a spastic concoction of abrasive, yet meticulously arranged noises and penetrating drum beats, consisting of three members; with Kevin on guitar and vocals and Dana on drums, Rick is able to move around a little, performing guitar, drums, and/or miscellaneous electronics that consist of manipulated tapes or just effects pedals, filtering percussion pieces. And with every good band, exists a history of other good bands that could be illustrated with one of those diagrams at the free clinic that show you just how many people you’ve slept with, by-proxy: such is White Suns. White Suns has shared the stage with notable acts such as Krallice, an NYC band with ultra guitar-shredder, Mick Barr. Mick Barr has collaborated with Zach Hill from Hella as well as Tim Dahl, from another Brooklyn band that played here last summer, called Child Abuse. White Suns have even played with a band called Mi Ami, which contains members of legendary, experimental punk band, Black Eyes. Not to mention, Kevin briefly sang for a band called Cutter, which included members of Pygmy Shrews, Zs and Drunkdriver, all of which are pretty big bands in NYC. However, by their own admittance, they’re best show yet has been a benefit in NY to raise money for their friend from a band called Twin Stumps. Apparently, he had been mugged and brutally beaten, and was hospitalized for a couple of weeks. Fortunately, they were able to raise enough money to pay for a good portion of the bills. Although a band like this should be enough to drag you out of “the woodworks,” don’t worry. Some of Jacksonville’s favorites will be performing as well.
White Suns live on Philidelphia's Z Radio
The night wouldn’t be the same without something familiar to titillate your musical palette, so expect plenty of quality local acts to make you feel more at home: The Memphibians, front men for Jacksonville’s most persistent record label, Infintesmal Records, will be making an appearance; one of my favorite bands in town, Wudun will be setting the mood with their blend of spaghetti-western, psych-rock; spazz-organ-synth-mind-eaters, Sunday Cervix will be raising the hairs on the necks of those tolerant enough to embrace their sound; Taylor Ross, of Witch Porn, will be collaborating with surprise guests to present the follow-up to his last performance, The Ryan Strasser Solution, with his latest project, The Ryan Johnson Problem; National Dairy will be committing musical masturbation for their own pleasure, as well as releasing their self-anticipated, Pagan Skin EP, recorded by Tom Essex at Skinny Records; lastly, Jacksonville sweet-hearts, The 2416, will serenade us with their distinguished blend of dark folk-metal. Truly, it will be a night to remember. But, if that’s not enough for you spoiled art-connoisseurs…
Ian Chase has been creating some buzz with his obscure art installations, providing stage props for local bands, After the Bomb, Baby and National Dairy a few months ago at Art Walk. His work, recently however, has not been limited to the stage or the gallery. Chase has been spending a lot of time in his basement, arranging seemingly arbitrary objects together, creating, photographing and filming physical collages that would most likely never sell at a gallery around here. Conveniently, however, they make excellent installations to enhance the overall presentation of a band. Most recently, he has even filmed budget-free music videos for Chicken and Whiskey and National Dairy. I’m sure that the future holds much for this ambitious visionary. For February 24th, Chase has an installation in store and I, for one, am excited to see what he will do with the ample space available at The Devil’s Playground.
National Dairy"Broken Anal Key" directed by Ian Chase
National Dairy "They Had Blood in Their Eyes" directed by Ian Chase
Chicken & Whiskey "Thankless" directed by Ian Chase
"Thai Lunch Buffet" by Ian Chase
Art Walk Installation by Ian Chase
So, whatever analogical locations we must emerge, appear, or derive from, let’s all make a point to “appear unexpectedly” on February 24th. Yes, it is a Wednesday night, but would you say that about your dead grandmother’s funeral or your son’s circumcision? Well, let’s allow ourselves to have a good time and see something we may not see every other Hump Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment