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Skinny Puppy
Note: This was written before the release of "The Process" and the breakup of the band. My introduction to this noise-making system was through american cartoonist Matt 'Post Brothers' Howarth, who is known, amongst other things, for his sonic diversity; we corresponded, and he pleaded for information of any Skinny Puppy releases that might be available down here. For a while, I used SP 12-inches as a form of currency; I'd send one off and Matt would send some of his self-published work in return. After a while, my curiosity got the better of me, and having been weaned on SPK, early Severed Heads and Throbbing Gristle, I listened to Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse. The first track, One Time One Place got me hooked straight away. Addicted. When describing SP to your average person, I find it difficult to explain WHY I like them. It's easier when talking to another aficionado of industrial or gothic music, because they will've been there - no need to explain WHY Key and Ogre are screaming, or WHY the songs feature so many samples from horror films (that's part of the fun of listening to SP - trying to identify WHICH horror films those samples come from). The vocals are one of the first things you notice. Sometimes whispering, sometimes growling, sometimes screaming; it's not music for children. I've heard SP played at clubs, and depending on which song it is, a lot of people are hesitant to dance to it. It's music more suited for those times when you feel like shrieking from the rooftops in the pouring rain rather than sitting down with friends and discussing the lyrics over a cup of tea; sound-tracks for borderline mania and incipient loss of control. There are NO tracks which will make you feel cheerful after hearing them; it's music to grit your teeth to and narrow your eyes at the rest of the world, music to take in when you have to drive all night, for when you don't feel like talking to anyone, for when you don't feel remotely human. Singing along with SP can ruin your vocal chords and lead people to wonder why you're screaming the words 'GOD'S GIFT MAGGOT!' The main part of SP is composed of cEVIN Key, Nivek Ogre and D Rudolph Goettel. Along the way, you might meet Al Jourgensen (Ministry) and Tom Ellard (Severed Heads), amongst others. Once familiar, the sound is unmistakable. If you aren't familiar with this sound, get hold of Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse and listen to tracks 8; Dig It and 11, Addiction. THAT'S what Skinny Puppy sound like. Throughout their other releases, they've varied somewhat in tone (Fascist Jock Itch, from Rabies, is thrash, and Rivers, from the same album, is almost ambient), but just so you won't think I'm a mindless SP zombie-fan, I'll say that I thought a lot of their most recent release, Last Rights, was pretty self-indulgent... well, let me explain. There's a variety of SP song that sounds like several people bashing samplers together, a vague, directionless cacophony that sometimes reaches a crescendo. Some people don't like this, and Last Rites was pretty much all that way, with the exception of track two, Killing Game. I can't claim to have copies of everything they've released, but here's a CD overview, in vague order of release: Bites/Remission
Classic. Worth hearing just for the Tom Ellard-assisted Assimilate and the hypnotic Addiction. 12 Inch Anthology
Despite two remixes of Stairs and Flowers, this release has the semi-ambient Serpants and the utterly non-ambient Chainsaw. Rabies
A real bone of contention. Some people like it. Some people hate it. The band themselves almost split up over the original mix (there are rumours of a re-release). Well worth hearing for Worlock and Tin Omen. VIVIsect VI
In my view, their strongest, despite a tendency towards the cacophonic towards the end. Too Dark Park
This album has a definite chill to it. The screaming is a tad wilder; signs that they're skirting the edge are painfully evident. I love it. Listen to this band, and let go of your few remaining shreds of humanity.
mike (listening to 'Stairs and Flowers): 'that's a fucking BEASTIE BOYS sample!' |
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