ESSENTIAL MUSIC/SOUND: THROBBING GRISTLE- I Want Discipline

Throbbing Gristle's confrontational live performances and use of often disturbing imagery, including pornography and photographs of Nazi concentration camps, gave the group a notorious reputation. However the group always maintained that their mission was to challenge and explore the darker and obsessive sides of the human condition rather than to make attractive music. Throbbing Gristle pioneered the use of pre-recorded tape-based 'samples', and made extensive use of special effects to produce a distinctive, highly distorted background, usually accompanied by lyrics or spoken-word performances by Genesis P-Orridge. Though they asserted they wanted to provoke their audience into thinking for themselves rather than pushing any specific agenda (as evidenced by the song "Don't Do As You're Told, Do As You Think" on Heathen Earth), Throbbing Gristle also frequently associated with the anarchist punk scene. They even appeared on the infamous Crass pamphlet Toxic Grafity, with a condensation of their own propaganda parody series, Industrial News.

In 1977 they released their debut recording, The Second Annual Report. Although pressed in a limited initial run of 786 copies on the band's own Industrial Records label, it was later re-released due to high demand on Mute records, however this later release was reversed with all tracks playing backwards and in reverse order. This was followed by a series of albums, singles and live performances over a four year period.

On 29 May 1981, Throbbing Gristle performed at the Kezar Pavillion in San Francisco, California, USA. This concert marked the end of the group and its mission. As Cosey succinctly put it, "TG broke up because me and Gen broke up".

Genesis P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson went on to form Psychic TV, whilst Cosey Fanni Tutti and Chris Carter continued to record together under the names of Chris and Cosey and Creative Technology Institute. Christopherson later went on to become half of the band Coil with his partner and fellow Psychic TV member, the late John Balance. Meanwhile, Gen (now known as Genesis Breyer P-Orridge) subsequently formed Thee Majesty and PTV3 with the help of his late wife, Jacqueline "Jaye" Breyer

The following video is a UK television interview with Genesis P-Orridge after throbbing Gristle broke up and he formed Psychic TV.(turn sound up)



and Genesis P-Orridge today....
The reason he transgendered was to 'become' his late wife Lady Jaye Breyer after she died.


and here's an interview with him(now her) about why TG broke up and what formed after that. This is just 1 of 4 parts (to see the rest go to YouTube and search 'Soft Focus: Genesis P-Orridge')or it might be on the menu of the viewer.

In Focus: THE GODDESS BUNNY

The Goddess Bunny, or Sandie Crisp as s/he is known, is one of the more eclectic and bizarre underground stars.

Sandie is actually a guy. His real name is Johnnie Baima. It is interesting to note that Sandie/Johnnie is a transvestite, and not a transsexual. This means he has a penis.

Stricken by polio as a child, it appears that Johnnie bounced from foster home to foster home where he experienced some kind of abuse. His posture and growth was restricted due to an ill-fated attempt by doctors to strengthen his spine with a steel rod.

Johnnie, as Sandie Crisp, wants to be a famous.

Some may say that he has already achieved his goal judging from his huge following in the gay and transgender community. I've heard that he does lip-synching routines and some sort of stage show in various parts of California (not just Hollywood). He has also attained some notoriety in mainstream culture by appearing in Marilyn Manson's Dope Show video and I believe that there is additional footage of Johnny in Marilyn Manson's DVD. It's in the behind-the-scenes footage of the Dope Show video where Johnnie can be seen frolicking and kissing various band members inside a limosine.

Sandie also appeared in a Carrie Fisher movie called "Hollywood Vice Squad", and does a cameo in the 'Punk Bunny' video, Water Sports.

I remember seeing her perform years ago with Vaginal Creme Davis, back in the Troy Cafe days('90-'94).

Jackie Beat--Baby Got Front

I came accross this video while watching some 'Punk Bunny' videos on YouTube.
Uhhhh....not too sure what to say about this other than its pretty fucking funny. I've seen Jackie Beat perform several times here in LA and all I can say is that she is quite an entertainer and never disappoints. Her electro band 'Dirty Sanchez' is pretty cool.

More on Jackie(taken from her website)(I guess this is some sort of review from one of her shows):
Jackie Beat is a dirty-minded and dirty-mouthed drag queen. That is a good thing by the way, since a lot of her jokes and song parodies depend upon graphic descriptions of sex organs and a variety of sex acts. It is tough to do a show with smut as a central theme. The risk is you'll become tedious and leave an audience feeling like they are hearing one long dirty joke. Luckily, this doesn't happen in Jackie Beat's one-hour, live singing and comedy show, currently running at the Post Office Cabaret.

What keeps The Jackie Beat Show vital and fun is Ms. Beat's near flawless presentation and skillful working of the crowd. Don't get me wrong, this show is dirty and no doubt offensive to some people – not a big deal, since Jackie Beat doesn't care a bit if you walk out. "Leave when you want. I don't care. I've already got your money."

Drinking during the show is also encouraged, and she makes no bones about wanting a "well lubricated" crowd. "Drink! Drag is spelled with one 'A'. There is no 'A.A.' in Drag." I would have to say most of the audience was in total agreement with Jackie, since the 10:15 show is the last one of the night at The Post Office Cabaret. Everyone was feeling good and the energy in the room was definitely high. The audience cracked up at the cute, but corny opening announcements. The jokes are funny, most of the time, and when they are not, Ms. Beat rebounds in a snap and says or does something truly comical. She is the first performer I've ever seen who can independently rotate her eyeballs and freeze her face in a look that is all at once menacing, empty-headed, sad, and hysterically funny. And then there's the voice.

Jackie's voice has the power and range of a Broadway star and an old-school Black Diva. She is an amazingly good singer with incredible vocal fl exibility. She mimics just enough of song-stylists like Shirley Bassey, Angela Lansbury, Nina Simone, and Jennifer Holliday to set you laughing at these singer's vocal quirks. This is not a show about impersonating stars, but there are familiar song parodies like "Billy and the Priest" ("Beauty and the Beast") and two standout numbers, "Please Don't Tell Me You're Gay" ("Please Don't Leave Me this Way") and "Dildos are Forever" ("Diamonds are Forever").