DNA – You and You // Little Ants (Lust Unlust) 1978. Of the original New York No Wave groups very few were more discordant than DNA. The only one that immediately comes to mind would be Mars. This is a bold statement because all No Wave bands peddled in discordance and abrasiveness. Any musical movement that can present Buy by the Contortions as its’ most musical and commercial sounding release is probably going to be challenging. Of course, if art doesn’t challenge you, what does it do? Comfort you? Thomas Kincaid is comforting. It’s good to be challenged. It’s inspiring. DNA is inspiring. This is their only release (besides the tracks on No New York) with Arto Lindsay on guitar and vocals, Ikue Mori on drums and Robin Crutchfield on synth. Robin would be replaced shortly after with Tim Wright on bass and form the uber-great Dark Day. The sound changes a bit with Tim, he was more of a musician than Robin and he holds down the bottom end more fluidly while Arto rips open his guitar. But this early stuff with Robin is more uncompromising. More challenging. More inspiring. Which is just what we all need.
Hardcore Podcasts
September of 2010 I put together eight Hardcore Podcasts. You can check them out here if you are interested. For more insight into how I came up with the years 78-90 for the First Wave you can read about The Hardcore Superiorty Myth.
No Wave is like Bob Dylan – I’m glad it happened, but that doesn’t mean I ever want to listen to the music.
Addendum – Oddly, I went back and listened to the Mars songs you posted and liked the A side, and thought the B side would sound great with different vocals.
http://punkvinyls.blogspot.com/
my new blog,look
You have been added to the blogroll, sir
I’m with Jeff. Tried real hard to like (not just appreciate) what the No Wave scene had to offer… but never really succeeded. Actually tried really hard, ’cause this very cute alterno-chick with a fantastic asymmetrical haircut was into it big time in 1984 and I wanted into her pants… but no luck on any front (aesthetic or erotic).
Give me some Electric Frankenstein and a beer, and I’m good to go…
You guys are gonna make me quote Biscuit aren’t ya?
“I’m a punk and I like Sham
Cockney Rejects are the worlds greatest band
But I like Television and Public Image too
Even if thats not what Im supposed to do.”
Art is more difficult than entertainment to appreciate. I love this stuff. At least it gets to the point quickly and isnt boring.
I always thought DNA was the most interesting of all the original No Wave groups – definitely more challenging than Teenage Jesus & The Jerks. Last I checked, Ikue Mori is still going strong with her own solo stuff; I saw her in Chicago a few years ago doing some bizarre drum machine compositions. Worth checking out if you’re curious…
Does she live in Chicago now?
Cool site btw…I recognized APOP immediately!
DNA were a big influence on this group…
http://penmallet.blogspot.com/search/label/waltz%20bop%20shop
I agree they were among the best of the original no-wave groups.
I don’t think she lives in Chicago, the performance was just part of this weekend-long experimental music event (the name of which is escaping me now). The whole thing was much more “art school” than “punk” – kind of like her SYR5 recording with Sonic Youth, minus Kim Gordon’s moans and growls.
DNA – they should have re-formed and played at my wedding.
Totally blown away by this — they obviously didn’t give a damn about being popular; or fitting into a genre. Excellent – God bless America