Show review from a gig on June 2, 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan featuring touring acts from Ohio. Live gigs here took a bit of a hiatus due to the obvious but also due to the fact that a long-running house venue, which would host 99% of the noise shows here, recently called it quits so the scene has been at a stand still trying to figure out a solution.
This newer venue is a house way out in the sticks about 40 minutes from the city. Since it is rural, the nearest neighbor is several acres away and its mostly rednecks with dirt bikes that mind their own business. Because of the amount of space and lack of the law, the sound has the potential to be cranked super loud. Perfect.
Lineup was as follows:
Midewiwin (MI)
Death Dedication (MI)
Paracusis (OH)
Violent Pleasures (OH)
Slit Throats (OH)
Roman from Slit Throats and both of the show organizers are huge fans of Japanese wrestling so the running theme of the night was just that. A projector was set up with a large screen behind the "stage" and old Japanese wrestling was playing during each set. I'm not a big fan of wrestling myself, but this shit is entertaining as hell. Brutal matches with barbed wire, glass, razors, explosions, and tons of blood. Perfect backdrop for a night of noise. Someone was there filming each set which I will share.
Midewiwin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ykNjgxNX8YFirst up is a new project which consists of the men behind Redhouse and Ghostdance, and who also happen to be the hosts/organizers of the night. This new project samples Indian exploitation films which loop under layers of noise and feedback. I think both guys just kind of did what they want rather than feeding off of each other, at least that was my impression. Not a bad set, but maybe should have cut it a little sooner.
Death Dedication https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW6x_OCW6FQ&t=70sNot much of an introduction needed for this guy! Although this particular set was different than his usual. Instead of relying solely on tape loops and pedals, he brought this big old toolbox in to use as a sound source as well. He had some sort of axe that he used to beat the insides with. I think it worked well and I'm hoping he continues to use more physical objects live.
Paracusis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8l9zVLfuuQFirst time hearing this project but man, probably the most intense of the night. Talked to him after the show and apparently he's a school teacher. Must have needed to let out some academic anger! Don't blame him. Real intense mic feedback and vocals.
Violent Pleasures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnMUP_a2ZwShirts off! Brutal harsh noise assault. Wild mic feedback, starting off kind of slow then working it's way into chaos. Looking forward to more from this project.
Slit Throats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCaCj9V4LzUI don't follow too much HNW type stuff but I do know Slit Throats is a contemporary heavyweight in that genre. What I liked most about his set is his utilization of the projected video. It's different when someone plays along to what you see up on the screen, almost providing a soundtrack to what you're watching. I thought that was pretty creative, rather than just have some random video playing behind you and the performer kind of exists alongside it. With this approach, Roman was able to build up tension as you watched guys continue to lose blood, ultimately coming to a head in the performance when Slit Throats goes from twisting knobs to abusing some metal plate in harsh noise ecstasy.
Overall, a great night. I hope this venue continues to host more shows as its the perfect spot for it.
