From: Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star – 1998 – Rawkus Records

posted by: Harold Johns III

From The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (originally released in 1966, reissued by Sunspots in 2003).

“Featuring the yelping vocals and visionary, occasionally demented lyrics of Roky Erickson, the 13th Floor Elevators were one of the original acid rock bands. Formed in Texas in the mid-’60s, the Elevators started as a garage rock outfit, scoring their one and only modest national hit with ‘You’re Gonna Miss Me.’ While Erickson’s loopy persona and Tommy Hall’s odd ‘jug’ percussion were the band’s most distinguishing features, several members of the group’s original lineup contributed strong material to their albums. Although these inconsistent efforts sometimes wander off into a cloudy haze, they also include sturdy folk-rock tunes and driving psychedelic rockers. Trips to San Francisco established the group as an up-and-coming underground favorite, but Erickson’s problems with drugs and the police led to the singer’s commission to a state mental hospital in the late ’60s, an ordeal from which he has never fully recovered.” (source: All Music Guide)

posted by: Harold Johns III

Both of these performances by no-wave pioneers DNA were taken from Downtown 81, a feature film starring the legendary American artist Jean Michel Basquiat. The film was conceived by Edo Bertoglio and Glenn O’Brien as a rare real-life look into the ultra-hip subculture of early 1980’s Manhattan, but was not properly released until 2000 due to financial constraints. Although the plot is minimal, appearances by Debby Harry, Lee Quinones and Fab Five Freddy along with performances by other post-punk musical stalwarts like James White and the Blacks make it a must see. Plus, getting to watch Basquiat make his art is a beautiful thing.

For further listening we highly suggest DNA on DNA, a 2004 compilation of all their singles and live performances by No More Records.

Side Notes:
The dialogue audio for the film was lost, so actor Saul Williams dubbed the late Basquiat’s voice. However, the musical soundtrack, mostly live club performances recorded on location using a RCA 24 track mobile unit, survived.

The rock group Blonde Redhead takes its name from the DNA song of the same name.

posted by: Brent Carter

Here Björk uses her massive lung capacity to shift the stars as she delivers a perfect live performance of “Desired Constellation” from 2004’s Medulla at France’s Canal+.

posted by: Bene Garcia

“During the SOY Festival in Nantes, HEALTH was the first night’s sensation. The four Californians did not disappoint their fans who came to see them at the Batiment de Bitche (an underground artist squat). Powerful and focused on pushing experimental rock to its limits, HEALTH is the 2010 D.I.Y noise rock we at Grandcrew like…especially the insane tribal drums !!!” (source: Grandcrew)

We couldn’t agree more.

posted by: Brent Carter