SCABIES- Could you tell the history of bastard noise? WOOD- Bastard Noise started in the summer (second quarter) of 1991. At that time it was Barnes and myself- Barnes had custom built proto-types, tube oscillators for CHARRED REMAINS A.K.A. MAN IS THE BASTARD already, to add an �extra realm� of sound to the progressive hardcore music the band was writing and recording. And I just had a feeling that his �caveman electronics� (as he deemed them) would also sound incredible without other conventional instrumentation accompanying them. (I.e. no band instruments like bass, guitar, drums�) before, after and on non-practice days the 2 of us spent all our spare hours at our basement/ rehearsal space, �the headquarters� running the homemade electronics Barnes crafted and writing material. The very first offering as BASTARD NOISE (it said only MAN IS THE BASTARD on the outside cover but B.N. was on the inside cover, therefore I�m sure throwing some people off) was a 7� split e.p. with Finland�s UNSEEN NOISE DEATH (now known as WOUNDEAD today) we were very pleased with the results and were inspired to �give it life� and keep it going as a separate entity from M.I.T.B. SCABIES- Was it active before M.I.T.B.? WOOD- No it was not�we did not give birth to B.N. until about 1 year after CHARRED REMAINS A.K.A. MAN IS THE BASTARD. SCABIES- Could you shed some light on the philosophy of B.N.? WOOD- I don�t know if initially there was any deep intended philosophy to B.N. Barnes and myself have always had a reverent mindset that is pro-nature/anti-suits. (Fuckhead businessmen and businesswomen) I felt, at the time, that I was the only one who saw the magic in what equipment he (Barnes) was building- the sounds were unbelievably forceful, yet beautiful. Sometimes I think I was the first person in Barnes� life to compliment or recognize the potential of his �caveman electronics�. I�m not tooting my own horn but from what I could see/hear, no one else really realized or gave a shit. (And I was around Barnes a lot during the M.I.T.B. years) I think the love for sound is as good a philosophy as any but I�ve always tried to regularly incorporate political lyrical content, even to this day. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- SCABIES- Your personal style of noise and music has influenced so many people, how does that make you feel? WOOD- That�s an intense statement. I think if anything it has helped my outlook be �real� about underground music/sound over the years. M.I.T.B. covered a lot of ground in its 7-� existence. Ultimately, M.I.T.B. could not bear the strain of various problems it encountered. It could not, as an entity/collective, �police� itself for it�s own good. You see, the mindset in BASTARD NOISE was nothing like the mindset of M.I.T.B. Barnes and myself, and then Nelson from �92-�97, lived for the noise in all it�s organic and man made glory. We didn�t do a lot of hanging out like the balance of M.I.T.B.�s personnel, and I believed it (the noise) was good for us. I think M.I.T.B. had a great effect on the hardcore/punk musical underground and I am grateful. BASTARD NOISE continues the general ethic of M.I.T.B., but through the unconventional instrumentation. I can�t say that I am not grateful when B.N.�s work is complimented. SCABIES- Do you feel that you've struck an inner core with those people, or struck something? WOOD- I imagine the possibility is there but I also firmly believe that very few people truly get into the sound and/or it�s intent. I would hope so, but to what degree I�m not aware. Japan, and noise/sound artists of Japan to be specific, get it on the most regular level. SCABIES- what are some commonly used devices? WOOD- let�s just keep it to �caveman electronics� custom built by Barnes now in AMPS FOR CHRIST- and the �Irish spring� built by Nelson. All are proto-types. SCABIES- Are some hand made? Like what? WOOD- Yes, all the above mentioned� ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ SCABIES- Do people help you now or is it just you? WOOD- I welcome others input that I trust and believe is strong. Now though it is almost strictly myself and J. Wiese. SCABIES- What did you think of AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED'S song 'acute awareness', and what role did you play in helping them? WOOD- I thought it to be as powerful as all of their other material. Scott Hull is a brilliant mind/musician for sure. A prolific writer as well, musically speaking, I love his guitar work on ANAL CUNT�S �40 more reasons to hate us�. I played no role in helping A.N. in writing/recording �acute awareness�. If I remember correctly, it was a dedication. SCABIES- What compilations and releases does B.N. have available now? WOOD- (see discography at) http://home.earthlink.net/~johnwiese/bndisco.html SCABIES- What upcoming releases are scheduled for you? WOOD- OUTERMOST/ B.N. collab. 7� - FACIALMESS/ B.N. one-sided - Full length CD for Groundfault recordings. - Split CD of MURDER WEAPON/B.N. (K.F.L.R.) - Full length CD for Bloodlink - 1 track for a double 12� of remixes of THE LOCUST (for G.S.L.) - Split CD of Hospital/ B.N. (for Noisebludgeon) - LOCKWELD/ B.N. collaboration CD (for?) SCABIES- I spoke with you recently and you mentioned that the hardcore crowd is pretty harsh on noise. Why is that? WOOD- Because it takes patience to endure/listen to experimental music. I believe a greater attention span, and if I'm an asshole for expressing this view, so be it. People that follow and listen to music, of any genre (almost), for whatever reason expect the "traditional outline" of conventional instruments (i.e. guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, keyboards, etc.) and when they don't get it, they typically shed tears of agony and anguish in return. They consider metal scraping, walls of distortion, Power Electronics, oscillated frequencies and the like, to be "shit" because they DO NOT understand it nor do they wish to understand it. (There are a few exceptions in the Hardcore/Punk community of people who are rarities: Neil Nordstrom, Jason Hodges/Suppression, Russ Kent of Noothgrush, Chris Dodge, Chaz Infection, Chris Ashley/ Index for Potential Suicide to name a few.) It takes patience to listen, most DO NOT have or want this level of patience, to be complacent is easier/more convenient. This is MY take - love it or leave it. SCABIES- Was there a big difference in Bastard Noise and Man Is The Bastard? WOOD- Completely, except for a similar ensuing ethic, communicated by the vocals and lyrical content. SCABIES- What issues influence you and your beliefs? Where do you draw strength? WOOD- If anything, nowadays, strength for myself is derived by "the individual", that acts with intelligence and a bold, strong work ethic. People that are different and face their fear everyday in the face of insult, injury, bigotry and contempt. Transsexuals do this on a daily basis, never "now and then." Molly Woodlawn comes to mind, so does Divine. Greenpeace, Earthfirst!, Ralph Nader, Helen Cauldecott, Chomsky, the late Alan Watts and Craig Hewlett keep me going day in and day out. SCABIES- Do you perform/ play out much? What kinds of places do you play out in? WOOD- Live performances have been scattered throughout BN's existence. BN has gigged with Merzbow, Spastic Colon, Noisegate, Masonna, M.S.B.R., K2, RoboChanMan, Fin, Solid Eye, Speculum Fight, Yok, Consolidated Linen and Solmania. No complaints are necessary. BN will travel to Japan to tour in August of this year (2000) which should be thoroughly rewarding. Local clubs have usually been locations, but radio transmissions have also occurred over the years. SCABIES- Do you think that there would be a possibility of a noise fest? Would you play? WOOD- There has been noise festivals in Sacramento, north of us, about 450 miles. We played one, a number of years ago, at the now defunct Impala Caf� (near Little Tokyo - downtown LA). It was with Foil, AMK, Noisegate and many others. Freak Animal records had an international noise festival in late 1998. Of course, BN is always interested to play especially something that is organized and promoted. SCABIES- With you having such strong views and opinions, would you consider yourself and activist? WOOD- No, not really. In my mind, I believe to possess some activist-styled views/opinions, but being an activist is a full-time, thankless job. It is grueling, thankless and anything but lucrative. SCABIES- Is there anything that you would like to say in closing? WOOD- Thank you for the chance to be heard. Support any group dedicated to wildlife and/or the environment. I don't give a shit about political correctness, the animals need to be protected!!! - WWF - Rainforest Action Network - Greenpeace - Earthfirst! - The Cousteau Society All of these are caring, dedicated groups. Please give something to them, they can truly use any support they receive. --------------------------------------------------------------- Eric Wood can be contacted through this address: P.O. Box 781135 Los Angeles, CA 90016-1135 |
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