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Rozz Williams was a founder of the subculture of LA Death Rock that had a huge influence on me as a kid. Inspired partly by the new scene at the Batcave night club in London, Rozz and Ron Athey created a new American iteration, with an increased sense of seriousness and urgency, Now it could be seen as a response to the burgeoning “Moral Majority” movement in the US and the fire and brimstone televangelist culture that was taking the US in those years of rightwing backlash. Rozz was a visionary.
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RIP Danny Gallegos, love of my life and tragic figure, also (maybe little known to his New York friends) frontman of one of the best death rock bands, Cemetery. Danny and I had already been dating for a while when he told me he was in a band back in Chicago and that they had a show coming up at a goth fest. I was nervous it was going to be something I didn’t like (what are the odds I would?), maybe one of those cooing synthy groups with like a water drop sound effect or whatever, but Cemetery rocked: like if Christian Death was led by a drunk hockey player, as Danny would say. The albums are great, but the live performances were incredible. Too bad you missed them, losers.
Sep 22, 2023
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This perfect band (aesthetically, sonically, historically) epitomizes what I call Lounge Goth, an underrated fusion. The first time Danny ever talked to me, it was at a party called FIST (Fun Is Still Transgressive) and it was because I was wearing a MLWTTKK shirt. I would say if you know you know, because somehow everyone looks confused when I bring up this group (“Kooler Than Jesus”? “A Daisy Chain 4 Satan”? Anyone??), but they were a live act in The Crow and featured on the soundtracks for Cool World and Showgirls so, I mean, come on.
Sep 22, 2023
Aug 18, 2024
Top Recs from @anohni
She recorded this song by George Harrison and improvised new lyrics. She addresses the state of the world in a heartbreaking way. The recording just shakes with feeling. I saw Nina Simone the first time she came back to NYC at Carnegie Hall in about 1992 and it was only half sold. I clung to the balcony rails and cried for 2 hours.
Dec 26, 2024
Billy’s is my favorite music in the world. His whole catalog is immortal. He just released a new piece called September 23rd. It is a loop based ambient work comprised of a piano melody cut up from the early 80s that has been treated and processed. I always say Basinski’s music is the most helpful artwork I have ever known. I must have listened to his records for tens of thousands of hours. I am playing it before my concerts.
Dec 26, 2024
Buffy is a remarkable song writer and activist. To me she is one the great American song writers of the last century, and she identifies the crisis of capitalism and the cruelty of these structures we are all beholden to in such a visceral way; her artwork is singular. I will always be grateful to her for her vision and her generosity as an artist.
Dec 26, 2024