post punk ringtones
I was trying to sample something for a mate's new phone when it occurred to me that the leap on invention in the post-punk era was actually in creating new textures, just as much as the the conventional wisdom that it was a pomo mixing of existing non-rock idioms.
By texture I mean the grind of the guitars on 'Pink Flag' or the chilling klang of the guitars on 'The Scream' and there are dozens of great examples of inventive sounds. To me texture and tone is as important in this era as melodic or rhythmic innovations - that probably why I love some things (if it involves Martin Hannett or John McGeogh) and don't much care for others such as Scritti Politti.
Anyway, back to my search for post punk ringtones. As well as distinctive tones and textures It needs to function as a ringtone, this means it needs a fairly constant volume range - which is a shame as a lot of nice sounds in post punk have great dynamics and lots of volume contrast - but long spaces or 'quiet bits' make poor ringtones.
I also want to avoid recognisable tunes or obvious riffs (so no 'Alternative Ulster' intro)... though there is an exception...
Four great sonic experiments all from the Fast stable:
- Gang of Four - "Love Like Anthrax" (first 30 seconds on the single version)
- Mekons - "Where were You"
- Scars - "Horrorshow"
- Human League - "Being Boiled" (the fizzing bit before Phil does the Gary Gilmore quote)
Some "riffs" - but still with inventive textures:
- Pop Group - "She is Beyond Good and Evil" (the wakk-wakk-wakk-wakk bit)
- Bauhaus - "Dark Entries" intro (Bela has too much space)
- Killing Joke - "Requiem"
Some "tunes", but again its the texture that counts:
- Fad Gadget - "Life on the Line"
- Teardrop Explodes - "When I dream"
- The Normal - "TVOD"
And the winner is:
Public Image - Public Image (the intro... hello hello hello hello hahahaha!)
Anyone think of any more? What other genres work well as ring tone sources?
― Sandy Blair, Sunday, 30 December 2007 07:59 (eighteen years ago)
Last fifteen seconds of the Birthday Party's "Cry"
FISH! SWIM! CRY! CRYYYYYYYYYYY
― Ivan, Sunday, 30 December 2007 08:08 (eighteen years ago)
delta 5, "can i interfere in your crisis" looped
― zappi, Sunday, 30 December 2007 09:00 (eighteen years ago)
I have this pet theory that texture is exactly what distinguishes the rock era from earlier forms of music, and because of the advances in recording fidelity, it's what has allowed texture to become the most important component of music. Sort of like like the bizzaro world version of Geir. I don't go on about it much, but it gives *me* insights, Under this aesthetic, Dub was the first fully formed texture-based music.
"Hamburger Lady" by Throbbing Gristle would make for a fine purring-yet-jarring ring.
I love how TG came up with textures that were at neither tone nor beat.
― bendy, Sunday, 30 December 2007 13:50 (eighteen years ago)
I know what you mean about bizzaro world Geir, it occurred to me too when I started the thread, but there is something really compelling about an innovative texture (or 'sound' or 'waveform') and it can cause a pretty profound response. Usually it doesn't need to be considered in isolation and is just a building brick for a music piece, but considering it in isolation does give some insight - what is it about - say Suicide - that seems to illicit unease.
I wonder if its the same part of the brain that responds to texture that decodes nuance and intonation in speech? Texture almost seems to be working like subliminal images. Anyone read the book 'flickers'?
― Sandy Blair, Sunday, 30 December 2007 20:23 (eighteen years ago)
"Warm Leatherette" seconded. Or the Names' "Night Shift" or Section 25's "Looking from a Hilltop" (original or remix).
― Telephone thing, Friday, 4 January 2008 08:50 (eighteen years ago)