Industrial/noise often includes plenty of content one could say as "cultural references". While some reject any non-musical content as irrelevant. At best, merely aesthetic, for some, it often is referencepoints for direction.
I doubt that so much is being learned from single release or interview or such. In old industrial interviews etc, I recall there was often things like recommended reading. Obscure books what could be worth of interest, etc.
I could say that without GENOCIDE ORGAN, would I have never investigated black and tans, even on surface level. Or would I be familiar with Seven Pillars Of Wisdom or even Arabian Lawrence movie, without CON-DOM's input? Would I have come across Butoh dance without it's cross-over to Japanese noise?
It would be possible some people are reminded of Turner Diaries by ORGANIZED RESISTANCE. Informed of darker side of porno chic legend Linda Lovelace by WHITEHOUSE. Interest to various serial killers awakened by songs they hear. What did Peter Sutcliffe do exactly? Or who's this Bakunin MILITIA deals in their lyrics?
It's possible that things such as knowing Linkola outside Finland and Sweden may be thanks to articles posted by industrial musicians. How many reached occult literature of fringe religious movements through references in music?
It may be hard to say what exactly is thanks to musical influence, and which is something you simply are automatically drawn to, interested, and bound to see regardless of records or bands you listen. I'm sure some would go far enough to claim that being influenced by music is foolish, and weak, but I would wonder what would be point of spreading ideas, unless one believes it may grow like vital seeds (or spread like plague)? I certainly believe, any art includes spirit, and regardless of intention, it can result interesting things.
Many times, people who have been long involved, things operate also as reference to past. Experiences one has gone through and things you know very well. Hearing samples of influential speakers/movies/etc. Seeing graphics you immediately connect to something. It's not that one would have to be original and offer only new things. Cult of Pekka Siitoin? It may appear trite and cliche already years ago, but for genuine fanatics, source is endless...
I have seen one artist conclude that in industrial movement, everybody listens the same and reads the same books and watches the same movies etc. I wonder does it make one more "unique" to read SOTOS or KAFKA?! I don't see any problem that one would put energy to track down Waterpower, Slave Sex vhs's or even Texas Chainsaw Massacre, just because it's been matter of discussion. Perhaps totally opposite!
It may be odd question, but indeed: Industrial non-musical references: What did you get / gain from them?
