The Nihilist Spasm Band
The Nihilist Spasm Band (NSB) is a Canadian noise band founded in London , Ontario in 1965 by Hugh McIntyre, John Clement, John Boyle, Bill Exley, Murray Favro, Archie Leitch, Art Pratten and Greg Curnoe . Leitch has since retired, Curnoe was killed in a car accident in 1992, and McIntyre died of heart failure in 2004. The other band members continue to perform. None of them are trained musicians.
The term " Spasm Band " describes a music group that mainly plays on self-made instruments. Most of the NSB's instruments are modified or invented by the band members. The NSB instruments include the electric bass with 3 ½ strings (1 ½ piano strings and 2 bass strings), the giant electric kazoo and the theremin , an electronic instrument that reacts to the player's hand movements. Another hallmark of NSB is complete improvisation.
The band has been performing every Monday evening since 1966. They say they play for their own pleasure, but an audience is welcome. In addition to local appearances, there have been several concert tours, including to Japan. In 1998 the band organized the first "No Music Festival" with noise musicians from Canada, the USA and Japan.
Discography
- The Sweetest Country This Side of Heaven (1967)
- No Record (1968)
- Vol. 2 (1979)
- 1984 (1984)
- 7x ~ x = x (1985)
- What About Me (1992)
- Live in Japan (1997)
- Every Monday Night (1999)
- No Borders (2001)
- NSB Live at Western Front (2006)
- No Nihilist Spasm Band in Mulhouse (2007)
- GEN CON NIHIL FLUX, with Conrad Schnitzler & Gen Ken Montgomery / Commissioner Hjuler (2015)
- FLUXUS, with Commissioner Hjuler & Intern / tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE (2015)