Live show reports / comments

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I was mentioned there was 900 tickets sold. It was Wednesday, in middle of coldest January. I guess one could say sorry Hijokaidan, history has proven there is only one king of noise!

[cr]

So then what?...Travel to Pordenone to see Merzbow (and more) or to Turku and see SNM and BU/Grunt (and more) at the end of May?
There needs to be international rules and regulations concerning the dates of highly relevant noise shows!
One weekend after another, haha.
Cheers to all the organizers!

[impulse manslaughter]

Was this a festival or just Merzbow playing..? I can't image more than 200 people showing up for this in the Netherlands.

[bad milk]

Was this a festival or just Merzbow playing..? I can't image more than 200 people showing up for this in the Netherlands.

I can't believe it was anywhere near a 900 people audience, but who knows! Several hundred anyway, which is quite impressive – especially for a mid-week show. And yes only Merzbow, and Metsäkirkko, not a festival. Really quite varied bunch of people attending, with lots of young people in their 20s.

[host body]

I hear at least 700 tickets sold in advance, so at least that. The venue is sold out at 900, not sure if it was.

[post-morten]

I hear at least 700 tickets sold in advance, so at least that. The venue is sold out at 900, not sure if it was.

I heard there were around 800 people in Stockholm the other night. Granted this was a sort of mini festival with other experimental and bm acts on the bill, but still very impressive. Didn't go this time though to see my old flatmate - Masami and Reiko stayed at my place back in 97...

[impulse manslaughter]

Just saw this announced;

[Phenol]

Merzbow in Aarhus: Venue was pretty much at capacity. Not sure how many that is, but a good turnout for a town that size I'd say. Support act Frá was local and just another one of those art school noise projects that seem to be everywhere these days. Not bad, really, but also not interesting in any way + it is fundamentally alienating and off putting for me when there is no real sense of scene connection. I'd rather that there was no support act at all, to be honest. Merzbow also didn't rise above the level of "just okay" for me this night. Firstly, the AI generated sci-fi/fantasy visuals are a hard NO. Just stop with that BS! Secondly, he sort of just did his thing. It sounded fine, but there was no sense of urgency or danger and the sound level was so low that there never once was a point where I felt anything on a physical level. So basically, both acts were on the safe and artsy side and there was never a moment of genuine chaos, danger or excitement, or any point where I felt anything at all, really. So all in all, a disappointing night for me.

[HateSermon]

Kakerlak, Sissy Spacek
at Backwards Compatible, Grand Rapids, MI 1/23/26

Unfortunately I missed the first act but it was Brandon Hill (Plagues, Starved Relations, etc) and Monte Davis (Palm Hands) collab set. I later saw footage and it looked like Brandon on his modular rig and Monte on harsh Sax.

I walked in just as Kakerlak was setting up. One thing I will say about Nolan is he's the master of restraint. Watching him live is watching someone in what seems like complete control of his actions. The set started with a mechanical sounding loop that built the backbone of the layers that were yet to come. Short bursts of feedback to build tension and anticipation until - eventually - the patented Kakerlak crackle explodes and it sounds like your head is a hollow metal box with cybernetic cockroaches scurrying about. All of this tweaked via various pedals and an MXR EQ. His next show is the Dada Drumming showcase at Skeleton Dust February 14th and if you're heading to that one, you're in for a real treat.

The midwest has been getting fist fucked by an arctic storm for the past week and because of this, John Wiese couldn't make the trek to Michigan so Sissy Spacek was a one man operation with Charlie Mumma on drums. I've known Charlie for a few years now but have only had the chance to see him play drums live maybe twice? The guy is a machine. Wiese provided a long electronic piece (23 mins) which was used as source for Mumma to drum to. Even with Wiese absent, it's very apparent how well they work together and feed off of each other. Plenty of slower moments with subtle yet building percussion and then energetic bursts of electronics and dynamic drums, with the crowd yelling and fists waving. Total bliss. Much needed after having cabin fever all week. Charlie recorded the whole set so I'm sure the gig will be on a Spacek release at some point.

Need to mention the venue — Backwards Compatible is a new record store that has mostly second hand stuff for now. Owned and operated by Brandon Hill and, if you know the guy, you know it just makes sense for him to start this endeavor. Tons of noise, metal, hip hop and jazz with some real gems worth digging for. I'm guessing capacity is around 50 people? Small shop. There have been several shows of all kinds there already. Very laid back and byob. Its nice to dig through the crates in between sets. I picked up Sick Seed "Beasts Among Men" cassette and Judas Iscariot "Moonlight Butchery" unofficial 12" while I was there. Great times.