Space and the City
Posts tagged Black Leather Jesus
REVIEW: BLACK LEATHER JESUS 7″
Jan 27th
In robotics, and increasingly in the field of computer animation, there is a concept known as the Uncanny Valley. First outlined by roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970, the Uncanny Valley theory stipulates that, as one moves along a dynamic from abstract towards increasingly life-like representations of the human form, there is a sudden plunge in the level of comfort that the viewer feels towards the object as it grows increasingly realistic but simultaneously not right in all the details (for a fascinating discussion of this concept, including how it came up in season two of 30 Rock, check out Gary Stix’s “Into the Uncanny Valley” in the December 2008 issue of Scientific American. Yes, we have a subscription to Scientific American.) And this makes sense if you think about it. There’s nothing too disturbing about Launchpad McQuack, in spite of his always crashing planes, because, well, he’s a big cartoony walking talking duck. His humanity, so much as it is, is so overly artificial that it doesn’t really disturb us. Howard the Duck? Anthropomorphism taken to its creepy extreme. Put robotically, the Valley is why the characters in the Disneyland ride It’s a Small World are fun and joyful and why those on the old Pirates of the Caribbean gave us nightmares (that article has us mining our Disney memories like Daniel Plainfield).
But we wonder, is there an Uncanny Valley with other forms of representation? We think that there is, and that groups like Black Leather Jesus (link mildly Not Safe For Work) have found tremendous possibilities for expression in a place that, instinctively, makes the average listener more than a little uncomfortable.
The Uncanny Valley
Let’s take a step back and postulate on what exactly music is for a moment, and where it comes from (and you’ll have to excuse us, cause we’ve never taken a single music history class that reached any further back than Scott Joplin, so we’re pretty much making this up as we go along). Music is sculpted sound. We imagine that, initially, it derived from noises that our fore-bearers created out of some sort of practical application. Shouts to scare away predators or warn friends; cracking stick on stick to demonstrate dominance; whistling to pierce through the din of lower pitched background noises as a signal of some sort. Music, then, came to be as ritualized representations of those sounds and their associated experience, just like cave paintings and storytelling and things like that. So if you’ll take a look at the graph again, the far right represents actual sounds found in nature, while that on the left represents art forms far removed from music’s primitive beginnings. And while tastes in music vary from person to person, we think that the comfort level pans out about the same.
Take Drum and Bass, which we would place on the far left. Though clearly music, there’s almost nothing about it that betrays the primordial source material. It’s easy enough to imagine, for example, that the ubiquitous four/four beat might derive from the rhythmic chopping of a tree limp to cleave off a bulge and get the grub inside. But what the hell in nature would evoke the complicated and rapid beats of someone like Danny the Wild Child? (Exception: a swarm of crickets on acid.) It’s also a format that, while it has it’s adherents, doesn’t particularly have a wide appeal/level of mass comfort. But as we move through forms of music towards more broadly accepted sounds (and towards a closer association with ‘natural noises’), popularity/comfort grows. But then, somewhere between the relaxing chants of Panda Bear and the soothing nothingness of those Tropical Paradise mood CDs, we plunge INTO THE VALLEY.
Noise music is all about the valley, and not not just because we have to force ourselves to listen to it and ignore the many side effects. When we hear it, especially the work of Black Leather Jesus on this 7″, we experience sounds rather close to those at the source: the rushing of rivers; a field full of locust; the crash of thunder; the slow grind of the continents. What’s disturbing about it, what the sonic equivalent to Black Beard’s stilted hand movement is, is the filtering – the distortion, the clipping, the layering, the processing in total. Like many who work in this genre, the source material for these sounds is completely unknowable, and the final product as much a mirror to the listener as a definitive statement by the artists. But it takes considerable discipline to create art in a psychological space like this and so, regardless of whether you think Noise is Art or noise, you do have to give the originators a high five for that. And of course, there is something perverse about not merely creating this kind of expression, but seeking it out and relishing in a space occupied by zombies and corpses. Yet in an odd way, and through this perspective, these electronic and utterly artificial noises are closer to the everyday than any version of “Louie Louie” you’ve ever heard. Vinyl for thought.
PRESENTING: THE WINNERS OF THE 2008 SAMMIES (WITH SPECIAL COMMENT)
Dec 22nd
AT LONG LAST! The ballots have been counted! The Winners have been determined (some by just a few votes! Serious Squeakers)! And in some cases (aka, those folks that we saw on Saturday), the Certificates of Achievement have been distributed (if you won an award and didn’t get it, please drop us a line at the contact us link above)! And now, all that’s left to do is announce the results! But, as a special getting towards the end of the year treat, we’ve called upon some of the best minds around the world to offer some very special Special Comment on the winners! So, with a limited amount of further ado, here they are!
Favorite Live Band: Wild Moccasins
Special Comment by Keith Olbermann: If you are looking for consistency in energy and acumen at a live performance; when you want to be able to go to a show and know what you’re getting yourself into, the Wild Moccasins do have few peers, that’s what makes them the least worst people in the world. However, consider the perspective that perhaps performance with a greater deal of uncertainty at the front end can ultimately result in a different (and some might argue fuller) sense of satisfaction at what you see and hear mister President. Bands that consider their recordings as starting points, rather than scriptures, can just as easily soar as they can utterly disappoint, but on the whole we appreciate those that dare with the boundaries of their writing, their performing and even their own membership. For that reason, though we cannot disagree with a perspective on this category that put the Wild Moccasins on top, thats why in our special comment the leastest worstest is for Indian Jewelry.
Favorite Band in the Studio: Buxton
Special Comment by serious cat: Though cost can be a limiting factor (though real talk: it’s cheaper than you think at several places in town. Good places), one thing that the studio grants the performer is the ability to add depth and nuance to songs they have honed in the practice space and on the stage. Even if, as a band, you’re looking for a stripped down sound that provides no additional instrumentation or layering, the studio affords opportunity. When we listen through local records, one band in particular strikes us as having used the studio to extend their songs into new sonic spaces beyond where they exist live. Their recordings have consistently added complimenting guitars and pet sounds their solid straight-up performances. So while A Family Light is a fantastic recording in production, composition and execution, we cast our vote for the Papermoons.
Band that Blew up the 713: B L A C K I E
Special Comment by those two guys that own Suit Mart: At Suit Mart, we Dare to Compare. Men’s pleated khakis, Mervyn’s price is $23.99, at Suit Mart just fifteen bucks! If you had told us a year ago that a rapper from La Porte would be the band that would have garnered the most votes from The Skyline Network’s readers , we would have been all “Hooded Leather Jackets: Burlington Coat Factory Price $119.99, Suit Mart Price, $229.99!” Cause that’s like crazy! We’re the home of the 2-fer for crying out loud in a loafer. Suit Mart. Awesome!
Most Unfortunate Breakup: The Fatal Flying Guilloteens
Special Comment by Bert Shipley: the “un” in front of this must be a typo because, to be honest this shit’s been 11 years in the making. I mean, hey at least they finally accomplished something, breaking up. Great job guys.
p.s. you owe me $30 for an oil change on my old van.
[Editor's Special Comment: a member of the FFG swears to us that they have not, in fact, broken up and that shows will happen again soon. In light of this, and in light of learning that Powerhouse actually has kicked the can, we reserve the right to change the results of this election and declare POWERHOUSE the winners.]
Favorite Punks: Something Fierce
Special Comment by Joe Walsh: Sometimes I can’t help the feeling that I’m living a life of illusion. And oh, why can’t we let it be and see through the hole in this wall of confusion. I just can’t help the feeling, i’m living a life of illusion. Pow! Right between the eyes, Oh, how nature loves her little surprises. Wow! It all seems so logical now. It’s just one of her better disguises and it comes with no warning. Nature loves her little surprises, continual crisis. Hey, don’t you know it’s a waste of your day, caught up in endless solutions that have no meaning, just another hunch based upon jumping conclusions. Caught up in endless solutions, backed up against a wall of confusion living a life of illusion. Oh yeah, and because I know you are curious, yes, I am a tattoo on someone’s bicep.
Favorite Popsters: Wild Moccasins
Special Comment by The Lollypop Guild: Weeeeeee represent, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, and in the name of the Lollypop Guiiiiiiiiiiild, we wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land.
Favorite Rockers: American Sharks
Special Comment by the judges panel of American Idols and the Fonz:
Favorite WTFers: The Wiggins
Special Comment by Black Leather Jesus: WTF?
Loudest: The Jonbenet
Special Comment by Nancy Grace: Now, I’m not pretending to be anything but a crime victim who went to law school and tried a lot of cases. You know, part of what the problem is is that you and people like you are blinded by celebrity, when the truth of the matter is if everyone just carried a little Jonbenet locket around their necks and opened it when they needed to make a racket and scare off the bad people, all of this, including my own show, could be avoided. Actually, scrub that, nobody carry around the Jonbenet.
Quietest : Elaine Greer
Special Comment by Roger Taylor’s Roto Toms: Hi, it’s me, Roger Taylor’s Roto Toms. He’s the drummer from Queen and I’m those hella 80’s sounding high pitched tom drums that generally do not have a place on a respectable individual’s drum set. I mean, you literally have to be the drummer for Queen and responsible for something like the epic drum break ¾ way through ‘Fat Bottom Girls’ to get away with having me on your kit. So yeah, like Elaine, most of the time I’m pretty quiet. There isn’t really much occasion to use me at most moments, and so you don’t get to hear my forceful, distinct and yet muted percussiveness very often. But when you do, man, do I rule.
Favorite Solo Performer: Elaine Greer
Special Comment by Dick Valentine (Electric Six): SOLO!
Favorite 7” Record: The Monocles/News on the March Halloween Party Split
Special Comment by a delicious Dairy Queen Banana Split: Sup. Banana Split here. You know, all the time people are like “Damn Banana Split, why you such a contradiction? How you got fruit in there and it’s not even chopped up? How come you get to be the only sundae that has a topping that you might also slice up and put on your breakfast cereal.” And I’m like “Say, why so serious? Don’t you know that contrast is all the rage? Things that shouldn’t work together almost always do. It’s like Pigs and Frogs man, Pigs and Frogs”
Favorite Full Length Record: Buxton – A Family Light
Special Comment by the official Skyline Network iPod: We enjoy you so much, that it took too much of the wonder, beauty and fun out of you to ever do a proper review. We simply loose ourselves in the pure aural attainment. Them’s the breaks, and here’s to hoping your upcoming 7” is totally in the same vein. Unless you want a review.
Favorite EP: Wild Moccasins – Diamonds for Constellations
Special Comment by Chrystler and GM: HEY! This was a Grey Ghost release right? So you ended up only selling 13 of them. Well, we know a thing or two about only being able to sell a few of a product, and let me tell you, you can still make a living at it. Granted, yours was a quality product and is something that people actually want to own, but trust us when we say there’s no need for you to do a second pressing. That’s right, congressional bailout. Just take our advice and don’t fly your corporate jet down there when you go begging for gear funds. Phew, those senators are a helluva tough room. Gotta jet, gonna go camping in our Pontiac Aztek. Check ya later!
Favorite Artwork: B L A C K I E – Wilderness in North America
Special Comment by The Big Star Bar Fire Pit: Dearest BLACKIE. I am sorry that, during the climax of my own flickering and flaming, members of the band Black Congress felt compelled to feed your Sammy Awards to me. I am a primitive animal, nay even more instinct, and I cannot help but ingest what is placed in my roaring belly. It is my understanding that the aforementioned often go into fits of rage and engage in feats of strength upon learning that any other act has appropriated the colorful adjective in their nomer, which is why they are banned from all Black Crowes concert for eternity. May we suggest this be settled the only way gentlemen should settle things in these turbulent times: A Battle of the Bands in the parking lot of the Heights Sporting Club.
Favorite H-Town Label: Mia Kat and Dull Knife (tie)
Special Comment by Bono: You know, I really wanted to start my own label one day called These City Walls Will Crumble Beneath the Debt Forgiving Weight of these Glasses. However, it turns out that it’s not really a cake walk to whittle down which bands you want to put out and then the whole production process, to say nothing of sales and marketing and a big TRYING TO THROW MY ARMS AROUND THE WORLD to these labels cause like that’s a lot of work and I think it will be easier to get Zanzibar out from under their IMF loan.PS – Can I look like Lou Reed soon?
Favorite Happy Hour Bar: Poison Girl
Special Comment by John McLaughlin: On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 represents no mathematical possibility of it occurring and 10 being complete metaphysical certainty of coming to be, we would have to state that this answer is… 10! CORRECT!
Favorite Nite Time Bar: Rudyard’s
Special Comment by Jim Lehrer: Welcome to News Hour I’m Jim Lehrer. Our top stories tonight: readers of The Skyline Network vote Rudyard’s Pub their Favorite Nite Time Bar. In Pakistan, the government of Yousaf Raza Gilani faced new questions about its ability to rule effectively when it was revealed that he has an extremely similar last name to former NY mayor and recent Republican presidential contender Rudolph P. Giuliani. And in Houston, Rudyard’s British Pub took the opportunity of a mild freezing rain to raise the price of Lone Star to six dollars a bottle.
Favorite Venue: Walter’s on Washington
Special Comment by Coach Lohan Springer: Wow. I never thought I would live to see the day when this was actually the correct answer.
Favorite Local Festival: Westheimer Block Party
Special Comment by Perry Ferrell: Shit. Man. Yeah, this was kind of what I was going for. My bad to everyone who has paid $8 for a bottle of water at Lollapalooza or missed Lush while they were waiting in line in shit up their ankles to take a piss.
