Noisextra - The Noise Podcast.

Sorry for the delay, the laptop we record and edit on ceased functioning last week. We're back up and running to bring you this episode! Jim Mroz (Lussuria) came to the studio to listen to and discuss Crawl Unit's epic 1994 Aftermusic CD, and listen we did.

One last duo session to settle into the new mode, Greh and Mike been preparing for the Hospital fest in LA and since Junko is performing solo we figured we'd pop on 1996's "Ferocity of Practical Life" 10" by noise legends Hijokaidan, one of the longest running acts around. All-star lineup this time around, with classics Jojo and Junko Hiroshige, Toshiji Mikawa and Fumio Kosakai (Incapacitants) and Masami Akita! NOISE!

Mike and Greh got together to listen to Richard Ramirez' 1997 CD "Memorial" on the Praxis Dr. Bearmann label from Germany. It's a somber affair, dedicated to Richard's friend Kevin Ogg who passed away the year prior.

After a much-needed break, Mike and Greh are back with a new plan, more guests and a broader range of classic NOISE to discuss. For our first week, we chose a lesser-known record by a project we both love, Sonic Devil by MASONNA. Out on Pinch-A-Loaf from 1997, this 12" rips in hard and fast.

GX Jupitter-Larsen of the Haters came over and we listened to "Live in Khabarvosk, CCCP" which has two recordings taken from a Russian jazz festival in 1988. Discussion of the sound is dispensed with quickly and G.X. provides many anecdotes and pieces of Merzbow, Haters and noise culture history.

Our 12th episode and it just so happens to be Collapse 12 Floors, with guest Peter Rehberg, best known for his project PITA and the essential Editions Mego label. Peter lends some insight into the dawn of the digital era by discussing Merzbow's earliest released computer album with us. Get under a table or stand in a doorframe as we get shook.

What a treat! Philip Best (Consumer Electronics, Whitehouse, Amphetamine Sulphate, et al.) was in town and sat down with Mike and Greh to discuss the Spiral Honey CD on Work in Progress from 1996. This harsh, nasty, buzzing record is met with great elation by the three of us, Connelly makes a compliment faux pas and Philip takes some time to discuss the true benefits of our Patreon.

Russell Haswell (Consumer Electronics, Satanstornade) stopped by while in town for a show to speak with us about 1996's Mercurated on Alchemy Records. Russell gives insight about collaborating with Masami Akita, seeing him live for the first time, and the magic of Japanese-label Merzbow CDs.

For this strange 1994 12" from UK label short-lived Ten Bob Swerver, we had Elden M (Allegory Chapel Ltd., Avellan Cross) over for a nice loud listen. Elden talks about joining Merzbow on stage, touring Japan in the 90s and we give our take on a weird record from the classic era of Merzbow, including a B side with the Masami/Reiko/Bara power-trio!

We finally dip our toes in the digital realm with 2002's AMLUX, chosen by screenwriter Ben Collins (Super Dark Times). This record takes the three of us different places: Connelly gets locked inside a parking garage, Greh confesses his foolishness regarding post-2000s Merzbow, and Ben comes up with a movie pitch for Die Hard, but in Japan.

Mike and Greh met up with Jim Haras (Deterge, Laureate) and listened to Merzbow's 1999 jazz-sampling classic Door Open at 8am on Alien8. Be forewarned, the three of us LOVE this record and you can certainly tell (though maybe not from the photo). Fuel up the gas-guzzler and settle in for the long haul.

With us this week is John Wiese to talk about the 1990 Merzbow CD Cloud Cock OO Grand. This marks a new era for Merzbow, the first of many CDs and the direction we'd see in the '90s. I told John about this podcast when it was just an idea, and we're happy to have him here for what is certainly not his last episode.

Only a month in, and doing Venereology already? We must be crazy. Mike and Greh talk to dream guest Phil Blankenship (of The Cherry Point, LHD and the legendary Troniks label) about a record that changed his life (and his high school yearbook photo).

Some late '80s Merzbow here, selected by Grant Richardson (GNAWED) who stopped by while on tour, and as usual I can't seem to keep Mike Connelly away from these listening sessions. Sewers, shipping containers, forklifts and orchestral composition are a few of the items on hand as we descend into the junk cavern.

Our third episode, we have Tara Connelly (Clay Rendering, The Haunting, The Pool at Metz) here to discuss 1997's Hybrid Noisebloom on Vinyl Communications. Mike Connelly is here as well, and we recorded this episode on Valentine's day. We get spacey and sensual, talk a bit about naked lady mudflaps and Tara shares a rather personal anecdote about Merzbow cover art and the act of love.

I'm joined again by Mike Connelly, along with our friend Bill Hutson (Rale, Tattered Syntax, clipping.) who chose 1995's GREEN WHEELS CD+5" from Self Abuse Records to discuss. We try to pronounce the track titles, talk about why Merzbow is THE ONE, and the sterilization of "bad sounds" from noise.

For this first episode, I speak with Mike Connelly (Clay Rendering, Failing Lights, Gods of Tundra, et al.) about a mutual favorite Merzbow record, TAUROMACHINE. Released in 1998 on Release/Relapse records, it's a landmark of harsh noise that impacted both of us heavily. Also I mention fractals.