One could be forgiven for thinking that the two worlds of contemporary classical and punk don’t mix – like oil and water (or in this case Champagne and Jagermeister). But in late 70s and early 80s New York – when pretty much everything was attempted – there were signs of a synthesis in bands like Theoretical Girls and Glen Branca’s orchestra.
But, the real bridge between these two worlds was Rhys Chatham – a classically trained composer working in Glass / Reich minimalism who was inspired to pick up a guitar after an early Ramones gig. He was in the short lived Gynecologists, among other bands a young Thurston Moore played in one of his multi-guitar arrangements. He is most famous for his 1977 composition Guitar Trio which prefigures much of noise, drone metal, and post rock.
Rhys and a small army of guitarists will be performing Guitar Trio at the ICA this Sunday along with some No Wave friendly London bands, among them Quietus favourites Factory Floor.
Find out more, including ticket details, at the ICA website.
