XOME appreciation

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Xome is something that I have always liked, but it somehow gets shadowed by some other noise acts. I recall talking with some American friends who considered Xome as absolute top live performer, but releases suffering from too clean line-in recording method. Of course it's easy to see why one would think that, but it is also simply matter of taste.
At his best, this is absolutely not a problem.

For example:

Xome "fur" is another piece I am listening to, these days. Released on CDR in 2002 on Negatron Heavy Industry. It is very good pedal noise. Dynamic, playful and one of the more relentless work from Xome. You can hear that crisp digital mastering that was becoming the norm but it still works perfectly on that one. It makes me remember when flanger, chorus, unlimited digital delay effects were common on pedal noise and are now more or less banned. That particular release doesn't abuse it that much, though. I was looking for some news from the project and found that it has a bandcamp page where you can listen to the album as well as others released on his own label.

Listen stream of album here: "Fur": http://xome.bandcamp.com/album/fur
Comparing to some stuff like Stimbox split for example, it is much more crunchy and brutal sounding. Great. Too bad it's CDR and not proper album. And even more curious is that it seems that only proper CD release is Goat / SIXES / Xome ‎– Deluxe Incinerator 3x3"CD and only vinyl is split 7" with Merzbow from 1996 ! WTF?! Project that has been around for decades, played with the best of genre, and never did "proper" LP or CD ? Weird...

Extensive info website with links to releases, labels, live gigs, mp3's, videos...
http://www.xome.org

Here's pretty nice 1995 stuff for streaming:
http://www.negatron.com/release/xome_blind_frenchies_and_pork

[Leatherface]

I think that Xome was a good project in the "Stimbox period". After that it was more a way for Bob Sato to promote's Audible Disease material... no?

[NEHPF]

I actually think that the line-in recording suits Xome perfectly. It kind of compliments the sound of his pedal diddling.

[Foyer Second]

And even more curious is that it seems that only proper CD release is Goat / SIXES / Xome ‎– Deluxe Incinerator 3x3"CD and only vinyl is split 7" with Merzbow from 1996 ! WTF?! Project that has been around for decades, played with the best of genre, and never did "proper" LP or CD ? Weird...

Xome was part of the California 10xLP comp and, so, shares a LP with Tralphaz, but, yes, it is amazing that project don't have any proper CD or LP release. Even the deal with Hospital Production only resulted to a lame c20 tape; lame because it was one of those shitty sounding Hospital tapes (double speed dubbing or something like this) that gave a murky mix totally stranger to Xome sound.
I had the pleasure to see him live back in 2007 and it is indeed one of the best harshnoise performer. One thing is that the live performances look playful and fun but not goofy. The guy was doing amazing harshnoise with a smile on his face. It is very fresh.

[scumwalski]

One of the most amazing things about Xome is the fact that it seems like he's "one" with his setup. Judging by the videos I've seen, it's almost like his gear was an extension of his nervous system. He has absolute and total control over it and is indeed a very skilled and efficient performer. A truly amazing artist.

As far as his albums go, my absolute favorites are "Itch", "Goodbye Yesterday and Hello Tomorrow", "Deluxe Incinerator" and the split with Stimbox.

[tisbor]

It's been ages since I last listened to Xome, is he still active?
I like the genesis of his monicker.

[eraritjaritjaka]

I recall talking with some American friends who considered Xome as absolute top live performer

I opened for him in San Francisco around 2006 and his performance was quite memorable; the apparent mind/body/sound connection was palpable.  Another performance of note was through a monster PA (formerly part of Santana's 70s touring rig) at a fest a few years later. Great night overall really, closed with an immense Haters set.

It's been ages since I last listened to Xome, is he still active?

seems to be. i noticed that he played a show with BT.HN and Pedestrian Deposit in PDX last month.

[Cementimental]

It's been ages since I last listened to Xome, is he still active?

He's actively moderating the noiseguide forum :D

[Mikerdeath]

After that it was more a way for Bob Sato to promote's Audible Disease material... no?

Absolutely not. He uses only 1 audible disease pedal in his setup and a audible disease line selector/switch pedal. Its kinda out of line to post a comment such as this.

but releases suffering from too clean line-in recording method.

http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?release_id=3151084&ev=rb
I recorded this myself from an outdoor live performance of Xome and I also did the audio mastering for it at Bob's request after several discussions about audio quality of noise recordings.
Tralphaz stated to me it was one of the best representations of his live performance.

Xome is at the top of the list of 10 plain "harsh noise" artists who have actually retained my attention and continue to inspire me through their music.
His live offerings are pure face shred when on a good PA.

Xome Live @ norcal noisefest 2012: http://ia601502.us.archive.org/3/items/NorcalNoiseFest16Day2/012-Xome.mp3

[collapsedhole]

"ITCH" is great.... also the PacRec b-card "BLACKNESS" also is awesome. one of the few noise artists who i have a collection of live mp3's... i can only hope to sit in front of PA for XOME live one day! near top of the list for US noise performers that i have not yet seen. given the projects lifespan, i cant be the only one thinking a fat box of collected work is in order... 

[Leatherface]

After that it was more a way for Bob Sato to promote's Audible Disease material... no?

Absolutely not. He uses only 1 audible disease pedal in his setup and a audible disease line selector/switch pedal. Its kinda out of line to post a comment such as this.

I see on Youtube different video, with different material: Rupture, Audio Signal switcher, Synth bomb, convulsion,...
(And i see nothing "out of line" in my comment ;) )

[Mikerdeath]

yeah, he will go from using one Audible Disease pedal, to two of them in the next set.
He doesn't use his project to market or sell pedals, or actively work on audible disease anymore, nor does he sell them at his gigs.

[Mikerdeath]

:) That convulsion pedal sounds rad!!

I remember this video being excellent:
Xome - DNF 2011

Watching this one now
Xome - DNF2013

[WineVomit]

Have seen Xome live.a few times, last was this August. Chaotic pedal abuse, don't even know how he has it so controlled. He played at like 2am and I was physically exhausted, but his set woke me up a bit...

[Potier]

I saw Xome once - Victoria Noise Fest 2012. Awe-inspiring performance all around with Bob reading some of his writings to create an intermission in his set. Total control of his gear, total awareness of the room & the people, focused & coordinated. So great to see his excitement with noise after all those years, he pretty much watched everybody perform at the fest. High energy guy! A Xome-Retrospective of some sorts is in order - no doubt about that.