The Leather Nun - “Whatever” CD

Superb return from Swedish legends

Returning to the scene after a 20+ year absence, Sweden’s Leather Nun have created a stunning and powerful return to form with “Whatever”. Known mostly in the 80s for their association with Throbbing Gristle and Industrial Records (who released their debut EP in 1979) and their flirtation with stateside success with their darkly catchy “I Can Smell Your Thoughts" single in 1987, Leather Nun’s sound falls somewhere alongside Iggy Pop’s artier experiments (in and out of the Stooges) with a trace of Velvet Underground and a touch of industrial around the edges. 

This album of mostly new material opens with the lovely and introspective “All Those Crazy Dreams”. “Outside My Window” is a rumbling rock song with an ominous air, before the tongue-in-cheek interlude “Dancing In The Rain (I’m In Love)”. “Red Hot Gwen” begins with a late night piano before erupting into a sleazy big blues sound, albeit with Jonas Almqvist’s trademark Swedish-accented English. It’s a mix that’s distinctive and unique. The revved-up electro-blues of “Godtherapy” takes its name from the Jonas-led post-Leather Nun band of the same name, and fits well alongside the other cuts here.

Other standouts include the anthemic “Star (Yes You Are!)”, the haunting “I’m Not Afraid”, the swaggering “Mainstream”, the touchingly sensitive piano remake of “For The Love Of Your Eyes”, and the atmospheric “Another Rainy Day”. Yes, the whole album is top-tier.

“Whatever” is anything but negligible or passive. This is a complete return to form for a band on the verge of being forgotten (at least in America), and is the perfect continuation from the band’s past. Any fan of the Leather Nun’s “old days” will be delighted by this collection of melodic-yet-often heavy, sleazy-yet-romantic, and well-produced rock sounds that snarl darkly alongside a cheeky wink or two. A great album, period.

Wild Kingdom/Sound Pollution

Leather Nunbook

The Ballad Of Genesis And Lady Jaye trailer

An interesting new film on the way, focusing on the infamous "cultural engineer" Genesis P-Orridge and his sadly-departd wife, Lady Jaye, and their unusual and creative life partnership. I will be anxious to see this one, as Gen is a seriously influential person, with both Throbbing Gristle as well as Psychic TV, and when I interviewed him for nearly 2 hours back in 1995, he was quite a chatty gentleman!

The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye // Trailer from Marie Losier on Vimeo.

Genesis Breyer P-Orridge website

"Love Sex Fear Death - The Inside Story Of The Process Church Of The Final Judgment" book

This is interesting -- a promo video (by acclaimed video producer William Morrison, who is doing a visual documentary on the Process himself) for a book by Timothy Wyllie detailing the Process Church Of The Final Judgment, coming soon from esteemed subversive publisher Feral House. From the sixties 'cult' group to the nineties' reactivation as a media group led by members of Psychic TV and Skinny Puppy, The Process was an enigmatic phenomenon that touched a number of (in)famous people (for better or worse), and, unbeknownst to many, has probably influenced our entire culture. Besides information from former Process members and reproductions from original Process documents and magazines, the book also features the involvement of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, among others. Count me in!

Feral House page

"Metal Machine Music - Nine Inch Nails And The Industrial Uprising" DVD

A curious account, this one. It's basically a NIN bio, completely unauthorized, but legitimized by the participation of former Nails Chris Vrenna and Rich Patrick, who have both gone on to successful careers in their own bands (Tweaker and Filter, respectively). Other writers and critics also have their say regarding Trent Reznor's rise, from his synthpop roots to his well-publicized battles with former record company TVT, to his recent experiments in alternative marketing and his successful back-to-DIY aesthetic. It's a solid and critical appraisal of NIN's albums. Clips from promo videos and live footage bolster the film well, as do some fine interviews with Jared Louche (of Chemlab) and Eric Powell (16 Volt) - both peers of Reznor. On the other hand, at least one writer featured here is purely sycophantic in his adulation/adoration for NIN...good for a chuckle at least.
What's most curious about this DVD is the first half-hour or so, which takes a whole different tact entirely. This is an examination, albeit a rather shallow one, of the beginnings of so-called 'industrial' music - highlighted (and indeed, made by) an extensive interview with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. It's telling and fascinating, hearing it in her own words. Bits and pieces of live footage of Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Throbbing Gristle, Einsturzende Neubauten, Cabaret Voltaire, and Depeche Mode (??) litter this pre-NIN history. It's nice, though far from thorough. I'd really love to see this all expanded upon, with other important inspirations like Varese, Kraftwerk, Test Dept, Whitehouse, Boyd Rice, Front 242, and others included. But that's a whole different story altogether.
As it is, this 2+ hour documentary is an exceptional watch for NIN fans - offering some insight and rare footage. Maybe it is a bit surface, but this may be as close as we'll ever get to a true and definitive bio of Reznor and his NIN persona. (Chrome Dreams/Sexy Intellectual)

"Joy Division" (director: Grant Gee)

Watching this as a 1-2 punch, right next to 'Control' makes for the most comprehensive, and authoritative visual journey into the music of Joy Division, unquestionably. At a running time of an hour and a half, this feature-length documentary enlists the firsthand accounts of all surviving JD members (in remarkably in-depth interviews), as well as other 'I was there' types, including Curtis' little-seen mistress, Annik Honore, as well as people like Factory Records mogul Tony Wilson (who first signed the band), friend Genesis P-Orridge, photographer Anton Corbijn (who took the iconic photos/videos of the group), Cabaret Voltaire's Richard H. Kirk, the Buzzcocks Pete Shelley, and numerous others. There's tons of archival footage of the band, TV appearances, legendary producer Martin Hannett, associates, friends, you name it. The only person missing from the equation is Debbie Curtis - but some of her quotes are used here, so 'Joy Division' is as complete as could ever be hoped for. It's a beautiful film, illustrating the rough, industrial city that birthed the desolate sound, and how it shaped the Factory scene that Joy Division spearheaded. At the same time, it's a celebration of what made the group so great - and the important musical and cultural legacy they left behind. A magnificent documentary and a supreme example of a documentary done proper. (major release)