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WOLF EYES & ANTHONY BRAXTON - Black Vomit: Live May 21st 2005 at 22nd Victoriaville New Musique Actuel Festival (Victo 99; Canada) The third day at Victo 2005 was mostly curated by our pal Thurston Moore and featured a number of noise/improv bands that might not have ever played without his push. Thurston's first pick was a not-so-average trio consisting of cheap electronics, electric guitar and drums who met at school in Kentucky called the Hair Police. Although nothing quite prepared us for the second set by Wolf Eyes.
There was a rumor that Mr. Anthony Braxton was going to "sit in" with some noise band called Wolf Eyes, but I don't think anyone took that comment seriously. Word is that he had heard them at a festival in Scandinavia and was floored by their performance. Very strange indeed. When this young, punky noise trio came out and told us that Mr. Braxton would be playing with them ... and then there he was, with his alto, soprano, and sopranino saxes! Shock! And pleasantly intriged surprise!
Wolf Eyes is an odd trio of homemade electronics [Nathan Young], electric guitar [Mike Connely] and sax/more electronics [John Olson]. Olson, he of the big shaved head, was also their spokesman: very funny and quite astute. They started with all three members playing some scary processed cymbals as Braxton played some quieter sopranino on top. The trio moved through bowing and scraping metal, intense guitar feedback and growling electronic noise-scapes. It reminded me of Organum at times, just not as accomplished. They ended in a frenzy of pounding noise with screaming vocals that was almost too much. For their encore, they offered Mr. Braxton of playing some other hilariously titled number, or their hit "Black Vomit", and he said, "of course"! It was a tribal, throbbing epic of slow noise that grinded, growled and groaned until it hit its stride and exploded with Braxton squealing sax riding on the waves. Not what anyone would have expected, but it worked and showed how barriers occasionally disappear up at Victo. Wotta show!
CD $15
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