I wasn't big fan of most of earlier works. I do have most of the stuff, yet never really made that huge impact on me. However, name always pops up. Both more "regular underground media" as well as in noise scene. For example from multiple rather sarcastic remarks found from Noise Widow about the bald bearded men in band shirts drooling over Pharmakon thinking its best noise out there, feels like perhaps the harsh noise tape scene ain't the realm where Pharmakon is most appreciated?
Indeed, it basically took me until getting physical vinyl LP copy of "Devour", to actually like the stuff. Not only the music is more in-your-face, but thanks to more grim mastercut of LP, compared to digital version of album, this sounds vastly more noisier and dirtier! I just happened to get 2nd hand copy of LP into my store, and decided to give it a spin.. and liked it. Based on previous album, I didn't feel like I am going to buy Devour, but I'm glad someone decided to sell away the used LP and I got it.
Perhaps being released by Sacred Bones, is one reason why these rarely make into "noise distributors"? Tesco has them, but out of places where I mostly buy things, never see it. Freak Animal never carried anything else than split 7" with Deterge.
https://www.spin.com/2019/08/pharmakon-interview-devour/Quote from: PharmakonIn the past, they were all recorded in studio, and usually each sound was recorded separately so that we could get the best mix and EQ and everything with each sound. But I got really sick of that process, because it felt really sterile, and I just wanted to try something new. I felt that it made the most sense to record it live, because the live aspect of Pharmakon has always been more satisfying to me than the recordings. I thought, why not just do the A side as though it was a live set, and do the B side as though it was a live set, and mimic the live experience by having a really loud PA, a subwoofer, in the room, and do the vocals live with the take, and just mic the amp, and stuff like that. And it worked out so well that I'm kicking myself for not doing it before. I can't believe it took me three albums to do this. It seems so clear to me now that this is the way I should've been doing it all along.
Clearly her own feeling has been similar. Previous material being too sterile, and now with the "Devour", especially on vinyl record, it does make material better, sound better and I guess even compositional aspect changes a bit.
After listening the Women Of Noise podcast, every episode till the very latest one (was it 16th), it has felt that... I better not comment on "female noise" anymore, haha. Jeeeeess.. But well, Pharmakon actually made me want to touch this hot topic that always benefits when blunt men comment on it. Maybe for some future SI paper magazine. In interview linked above, Pharmakon is very much, in good and bad the current age female artists. Coping mechanism, fairly traumatic experiences, some level of pain, personal experiences first and foremost. It would be curious to know, if the observation of her audience being the drooling hardcore & metal music bearded men forgets to mention how it may appeal to a lot of listeners who appreciate this personal female perspective? Like perhaps, other women, who may find material more personally relatable than band screaming about incidents within east european history?
Quote from: Pharmakonall the songs are about just getting as fucked up as you can and forgetting everything. I think it's something that's really a national, generational issue, for most people my age.
Pharmakon thoughts, experiences? Gigs? Best albums?
