Movie of the Week: Lydia Lunch - Video Hysterie: 1978-2006 (2008)

Lydia at Max's in 1978 by Eugene Merinov

Here's a fun way to waste a Saturday afternoon - watching this retrospective of Lydia Lunch videos from 1978-2006.

This retrospective of Lydia Lunch's musical collaborations from 1978-2006 is an incredible representation of her approach to art. Hailed by the Boston Phoenix as "one of the 10 most influential performers of the 90's", no other artist of the 20th century has fought, forged, punched, and sculpted their own artistic vision in such a uniquely original way. Defying categorization, Lunch actively has conquered new territories, and has gained international recognition for the innovative quality of her work. Robert Palmer from the New York Times writes "Miss Lunch was always an effective vocal performer. But rock has grown complacent again -- even the underground rock that has borrowed so much from Miss Lunch's various bands over the years. Perhaps it's time for her to administer it a few more rude shocks." This DVD is sure to please anyone in search of change of pace, a stray from the norm.

Purchase on DVD here

Hell in Paradise by Pat Ivers

After posting the above ad for the famous Hell In Paradise show (June 1978, Paradise Garage) last month, I invited Pat Ivers (of Nightclubbing video fame, along with Emily Armstrong) to write a remembrance of the night since I've never read, or heard, anything about the show. In fact, the only reason I know about it is because of Pat & Emily. I've been lucky enough to see some of their footage from this evening, and the idea of these acts playing in the hallowed disco ground of the Paradise Garage is reason enough to get the story...I hope you enjoy this, and a huge thank you to Pat! Be sure to visit their website - link below. Take it away, Pat:

Maybe it was just an idea whose time had not yet come, but I remember thinking at the time, "Wow! Punk at the Paradise Garage, our music taken to the next level of visibility. Maybe it really is going to be a viable thing , not exactly mainstream, but playing to a larger audience…people actually making money." ...It didn’t exactly work out that way.

The lineup was great: The Senders, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, the Contortions, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids. Great mix of styles, something for everyone. Emily Armstrong and I started negotiating with the guys who ran Paradise Garage to come in and videotape what we thought would be an historic night, which it was...for all the wrong reasons.

Paradise Garage exterior, 84 King Street

First, nobody came. There seemed to be maybe 100 or 150 people in attendance. In a space like the Paradise Garage, it looked like the worst prom ever. With the disco ball spinning in the darkened room, the space looked sinister and a little sleazy. And then as The Senders played, the electricity failed. This happened over and over again over the course of the evening.

Still, everyone soldiered on. Lydia played a short show. The Contortions roared through a set. James Chance left after his performance with some girl for a date in the cemetery on 2nd Street. Richard Hell, I seem to remember, threw beach balls or something into the audience while he played. It was grim.

At the end of the night, James returned to find Hell being told by management that no one was getting paid. Threats and counter threats ensued. James stopped them in their tracks, breaking a beer bottle and cutting himself with the words, “You can’t scare me”. The stunned management paid them.

I haven't seen most of the video from that night in years. It is one of the many tapes I can't wait to see, as Fales Library begins its restoration of our collection.

If you're as much of an ephemera or original source geek as me, you'll be happy to see this photo of the actual tapes from the Nightclubbing collection of that infamous show.

Nightclubbing - official website & Facebook

Friday Ephemera - Hell In Paradise

1978

Upcoming events

The fall has just begun and it's already shaping up to be an extremely busy season...what with books coming out, gigs, parties, and openings to attend. WFMU Fest takes over the Music Hall of Williamsburg (66 N. 6th Street, Brooklyn) this Thurs/Fri/Sat (October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd):

- Thursday October 1st: Krautrock pioneers Faust, with Cold Cave and Aluk Todolo opening
- Friday, October 2nd: Pissed Jeans, TV Ghost, Vee Dee, and Guinea Worms
- Saturday October 3rd: the return of No Wave legends Teenage Jesus and the Jerks plus NYC noisemongers Sightings, Drunkdriver, and Talk Normal

Tickets are available via the Music Hall of Williamsburg's site, at Other Music (15 E. 4th St, Manhattan), or at the Music Hall's box office the night of each show (pending availability). WFMU will not be broadcasting, so don't miss it.

Also, this weekend a conference, Lost New York, 1609-2009, will be held at NYU on 2-3 October 2009. All sessions are free and open to the public. Click the link for a full schedule. Appearances include most of our buddies in blog - Flaming Pablum, Bowery Boogie, Ephemeral New York, and Lost City. (Maybe I'll be asked to participate in something one these days, hint hint.)



On October 10, John Lurie will have an opening for a new art show showcasing a collection of oil on linen as well as water color on clay boards at the Fredericks & Freiser Gallery. The gallery is located at 536 West 24th St in Manhattan, and the opening goes from 6:00PM-8:00PM.



Also on October 10, there will be another conference at NYU which will put the spotlight on our beloved Arthur Russell, followed by a book launch & party for the upcoming bio by Tim Lawrence (he of the previously published, and terrific history of disco in New York City, Love Saves the Day). The book, Hold On to Your Dreams: Arthur Russell and the Downtown Music Scene, 1973-1992, will be available in November. A complete itinerary can be found at arthursymposium.blogspot.com.

WFMU's Record Fair happens October 23rd-25th at NYC's Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th St, New York).

- Musical acts include: The Trashmen (10/24), People Like Us (10/25), Chris Brokaw, Kevin Blechdom w/ Irene Moon, New York Night Train (10/24), La Cumbiamba eNeYé (10/25), and Electric Chaircuts w/ Nelson Loskamp (10/25)
- In the A/V Lounge, exclusive/special screenings of: Still Bill, Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell, Pirate Radio, USA, For The Love of Dolly, and 80 Blocks From Tiffany. Plus curated clip parties hosted by TV Carnage, Fancy! Magazine, and Bedazzled / Scopitones.
- A limited number of vendor tables are still available, so if you are interested in selling, contact Chad (201-521-1416 x 234). If you'd like to volunteer at the Fair, contact Scott (201-521-1416 x 228).

Friday ephemera - No Wave gigs

Contortions this weekend

This seems to be flying a bit under the radar, but then what do I know anymore? Text courtesy of our friends at ROIR:

Join James Chance and his longtime collaborator, Robert Aaron, are Original Contortions Jody Harris, Pat Place (also in Bush Tetras!) and Don Christensen in their first New York show in over a decade!

Saturday August 30th
JAMES CHANCE & THE CONTORTIONS
6pm @ PS1 Warm Up
22-25 Jackson Ave @ 46th Ave
Long Island City, NY
http://www.ps1.org/warmup

Following the one time reunion of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks (of which James was a founding member) at the Knitting Factory earlier in June and in timing with this year's 30th Anniversary of the seminal album NO NEW YORK (the band's first recorded appearance) the charismatic band will perform its original classics as well as tracks being recorded for an upcoming new release. All of this comes hot on the heels of the resurgence of the No Wave movement with new books by Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore/Byron Coley and rock writer Marc Masters.

James Chance would like to dedicate this performance to guitarist Jerry Agony who died on July 29th.

Jerry performed with James White + Blacks and The Contortions from 1981 - 1997.

IN RELATED NO-WAVE NEWS:
Thurston Moore/Byron Coley are performing a reading from their recent book, “No Wave: Post-Punk. Underground. New York 1975-1980.” at 192 Books on Sat 9/12 at 7pm!

And in a nod to If Charlie Parker Were A Gunslinger, here's James Chance:

Before:


And after:

Teenage Jesus & the Jerks Reunion 6-13-08

Went to the early set, and enjoyed it a lot more than expected. The band, or Lydia Lunch & Jim Sclavunos with Thurston Moore, were probably tighter and more together than they had been originally - although thats just speculation. The set was 20 minutes which was perfect. Every band I see from now on should just play 20 minutes. Who needs more?

Anyway, it was the scene, the event, that really made the night worthwhile. I haven't been to a show like this in years. The Knitting Factory was crawling with scenesters, the real music heads. I met Martin Rev, Glenn O'Brien, Andy Schwartz, all of Sonic Youth, and I'm sure a lot of other people there would have been recognizable if it were 30 years ago. I Had a great time hanging out with Gary from Domino & my old buddy Mark Ibold who I hadn't seen in years. It was also nice seeing Josh from Other Music - they were there selling copies of the book, and related CD's. Byron Coley was DJ'ing. Ran into Jason Gross from PerfectSoundForever.com. Even James Chance was there.

Check out my friend Randy's pictures here on Flickr.

Add to your no wave collection:

Thurston Moore to play bass with Teenage Jesus?

According to an anonymous tip, it seems the sensible rumour going around about the "mystery" bassist appearing with Teenage Jesus & the Jerks will be the one & only Thurston Moore. Definitely makes sense...

Teenage Jesus to reunite for one night only!

This just in via the Time Out New York blog:

New Yorkers with taste and a sense of history are having a sustained minds-blown moment with the now-official news of this summer’s most unexpected (and likely, most important) reunion: Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, a contender for most intense NYC band ever, is re-forming for ONE! NIGHT! ONLY! at Knitting Factory on June 13, with tickets on sale…(wait for it)…now. The two-shows-in-one-night came about to celebrate the release of NO WAVE: Post Punk, Underground, New York, 1976–1980, a new book edited by Byron Coley and Thurston Moore. Continued here.

Buy tickets here.

Order No Wave: Post-Punk. Underground. New York. 1976-1980 by Thurston Moore & Byron Coley.

Visit EugeneMerinov.com to see photos of Lydia Lunch in action at Max's Kansas City back in the day.

Order No Wave by Marc Masters.