avant-garde/improv/electronica music night at chicks hotel port chalmers
probably my favourite genre of music only seen sparingly lately
exhilerating when it clicks and at least admirable when it doesn't
total respect for any musician laying their musical soul bare on stage
for all including the audience a guaranteed unique experience every time
tonight local trio eye are celebrating the release of their new album
they have asked 3 other local acts to play on the bill on this night
local legend peter gutteridge is first up and billed as pure
that the title of his recently re-released album from 1989
suggesting the material in tonight's set is from that album
he is side of stage twiddling knobs on a synthesizer
gets the noise happening then he's onto the piano
to the left of the floor stage is a lady and a guitar
stratocaster or look-alike - but not much is heard
synth loop piano and his indecipherable voice dominate
there are tunes happening - presumably from the pure album
organic piano and analogue synth making for an appealing sound
the final tune sees mr gutteridge in lead guitar mode
a throbbing machine like sound also being looped
the intensity of his playing building to rock-god histrionics
very good but going on 1 passage too many for these eyes and ears
next up is little deaths - glen ross on guitar and tim cornelius on all sorts
they are both seated - glen bent over and working up a strong angular sound
tim starts on a single-stringed, acoustic guitar based hybrid home made cello thing
his left hand manipulating pegs to adjust the note coming from the bowed string
a strangely organic sound and enhanced by glen's guitar matching the melody
the first tune confirming they are onto a very unique and appealing sound
subsequent tunes see tim swapping between various traditional instruments
there's a wooden flute and a cow-bell mixing it with the apple mac
the challenge to keep all in sync and in tune seems demanding
in the meantime glen has worked up a looped guitar sound
providing a second guitar sound to accompany the first
improv at it's best really - lots to look at and listen to
afterwards they seem deflated with their performance
seems a lot of technical glitches frustrating their sound
but definitely a combination that requires more attention
michael morley aka gate is next on the set list for tonight
he is sitting on the edge of the stage with his instrument on the floor
no guitar or drummer in sight so we are in for a different gate show
he has started without us noticing - a scratchy, subdued synth sound
and it goes from there - get a sound happening and then loop it
add in all manner of other sounds from knob switching and fiddling
total electronica happening here and actually quite a warm sound
michael constantly page-flipping a small booklet throughout
prepared notes for the show or instructions for the device?
whatever - his confidence overrides for another enjoyable set
the main act then hits the stage - eye - 3 piece noise merchants
peter stapleton (drums) peter porteous (guitar) and jon chapman (synth)
their new album winterwork out on vinyl and this the launch party
this band new to these ears so very much looking forward to it
peter porteous plays a note or 2 and lays guitar on top of amp
setting up a very effective rumble while peter stapleton goes to work
some very energetic and rhythmical drumming in place from the get-go
jon chapman seated on the stage behind a curious set of equipment
looking very much like the inner guts of a valve radio with colours added
he twiddles and tweaks to get the pops, hisses and scratches in the mix
and so it goes - volume is up and attention is demanded and given
beguiling really - the second tune sees introduction of some vocals
peter stapleton hunched and indecipherable shouting into a hand-held mic
fortunately there's a commonality to their sound that keeps us hooked
no let-up in the intensity, volume and confidence of their playing
their last tune in particular features some staggering guitar-noise
peter porteous surely pushing the limits of strings and amps
well supported by his cohorts on stage adding their noises
the audience is relatively sparse but we are all mesmerised
an almost eerie silence when it ends and applause fades
peter porteous admitting they have nothing to add
4 acts on the bill on this winter's evening
winterwork very well launched
hope there's more coming...
