Various Artists - "The Jettisoundz Promo Years" DVD

This collection of 50 clips from 1983 onwards presents 'Fifty of the top names from the independents', according to the packaging. My take is that this is a fine representation of the UK indie scene from the 80s-90s, with plenty of performance videos and some genuinely amateur promo clips that bring to mind the grand old days of watching weird new bands on "SNUB TV" or "Night Flight" on cable TV.

We get plenty of obscurities here, from classic punk (Exploited's ham-fisted "Sexual Favours"), hardcore (Crumbsuckers), garage rock, death-rock (the Birthday Party rip-offs Inca Babies), indie folk (Michelle Shocked or Robyn Hitchcock), Sunset Strip-style glam (Tygers Of Pan Tang), space rock (Hawkwind), psychobilly (The Meteors), blues (Turnpike Cruisers), exotic pop (Sheila Chandra), and cut-up electro from 2-Kut, featuring future KMFDM/Pig frontman Raymond Watts and Neubauten's Blixa Bargeld.

The crowns here, from my point of view, are the inimitable Alien Sex Fiend, who's classic acid-electro-rock of "Buggin' Me" and "Ignore The Machine" are underrated slabs of weirdo proto-industrial rock, and Psychic TV, who get 3 solid post-acid house videos in "JOY", "R.U. Xperienced (with Caresse P-Orridge), and "I.C. Water", their loving tribute to Ian Curtis.

Sure, there's a lot of naff stuff here to slog through, but with a few true gems, this one can be a nice part of the collection. (Screen Edge via MVD Visual)

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

Peter Christopherson of Coil & Throbbing Gristle, R.I.P.

Sorrows for the passing of a musical icon. Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson passed away peacefully on November 25, 2010. His musical art as part of Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, and Coil burned brightly as a permanent inspiration on my life and music. His work in Coil (with fellow multi-plane spirit Jhonn Balance) remains some of the most potent and magickal sounds I've had the good fortune to experience, before or since. For more information, visit:

Unkle Sleazy TV & condolences site

Official COIL site at brainwashed

"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)

Marc Almond - "Live At The Lokerse Feesten 2000" DVD

Captured live in Belgium in a festival setting on his 'Open All Night' tour, the suave and flamboyant Almond here treats the audience to a fine cross section of his tunes, from some then-new ones all the way back to his Soft Cell days. And he was certainly in fine form that night - the theatrical and Latin-tinged 'Love To Die For' is stylish and dramatic. Almond's voice has never been sharper and well-honed, and his blend of red light district tragedy and tortured torch-diva fits in nicely next to his heartfelt sincerity and dark irony. From his pop-star days, he's morphed into a classy and debonair cabaret vocalist - but with a sinister bend. He's a logical heir to the throne held by Jacques Brel or Scott Walker, and this live DVD encompasses his entire career well. 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart' is epic, symphonic, and stirring, while Brel's Chanson 'Jacky' is bouncy and passionate. His hit 'Tears Run Rings' is here re-envisioned as a sweetly bitter dance cut, and 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' as always been a gloriously moving song, and still is. Wow.
Marc Almond is an immensely talented and charismatic singer and enduring songwriter, and this 16-song concert is a must for fans. (Charly Films via MVD Visual)

Marc Almond site

And here's a clip of one of the more rocking cuts from this DVD, featuring guitars by Neal X (formerly of Sigue Sigue Sputnik).

Marc Almond - "Heart On Snow" CD

Poor Marc Almond. It seems he is forever known as an '80's pop star' due to his smash success with electro-pop sleaze merchants Soft Cell. But pity (more) the people who think he's irrelevant these days. Through the years, Almond has emerged a world-class singer and highly literate songwriter, painting sordid tales (ala one of his idols, Jacques Brel) in his highly stylized, theatrical voice over a variety of musical styles and genres, from clubby dance to baroque pop to cabaret. His collaborations with such notables as Jim Thirlwell (Foetus), Psychic TV, Nick Cave, Annie Anxiety Bandez, Coil, and even Current 93 prove that he's no 'has-been' by any means, nor has he been afraid to work alongside other strong and charismatic personalities.

This 2003 album is a selection of old-world Russian folk songs (and a few originals, done in a faux-Russian style), and features Almond in duet with various Soviet singers (none of which are recognizable to me). This is some classy, moody work, full of rich and resonant Eastern European vibes, and Almond's voice has never been so full and well-managed. Tracks like 'Just One Chance', with Luydmilla Zukena, wisely juxtapose the operatic vocals of Zukena with Almond's dramatic torch singing. 'Heart On Snow' may seem kitsch to some, but it serves well as a lovely travelogue, and a nice 'jumping off point' for those interested in classic Russian music. (Psychobaby)

Marc Almond's website