Fans of new Krautrock-influenced bands such as Lower Dens and Toy should see how it’s really done when ex-Can vocalist Damo Suzuki graces the The Green Door Store next Tuesday.
Formed in West Germany in 1968, Can are widely cited as key influencers on bands such as The Fall, Joy Division and latterly U.N.K.L.E, owing largely to their experimental and minimalist sound.
During his four album tenure in Can, Suzuki was instrumental in developing the notion of ‘instant compositions’ whereby songs were composed spontaneously and collectively, featuring his trademark improvisational and multi-lingual vocal style.
Having converted to Jehovah’s Witness he retired from music in the 1970s, emerging in 1983 to launch the Damo Suzuki Network.
As he tours, he performs live improvisational music with various local musicians, known as “Sound Carriers.” The premise being that, as he travels the world, he builds up a ‘network’ of musicians with whom he collaborates.
Musicians included in his live shows have been born from bands such as The Early Years, The Bees and The Holy Soul.
Tonight’s Sound Carriers are AK/DK, who are the perfect fit for Suzuki’s experimental sonic voyages. Comprising of duo Graham Sowerby (drums and synths) and Ed Chivers (drums and synths), the simplicity of instrumentation allows them, according to their website, “the freedom to create improvised layers of fuzzed-up synths, delays and arpeggios, and thunderous double drums.”
It’s sure to be one of the most unpredictable and sonically innovative gigs you’ve seen, it’ll be well worth the wind and the rain.*
*based on the assumption that summer is already over.
