Cock E.S.P.

Cock E.S.P.

Cock E.S.P. is a US-American band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group draws on the most extreme, subversive and absurdist elements of both popular and experimental Twentieth century music and performance art, creating abstract high-energy entertainment. Influences include noise music, punk rock, improvised free-jazz, Japanoise, industrial hardcore, 80's metal and electronica.[citation needed]

Contents

History

Although the group has dabbled in various musical styles and techniques over the years, the most recent has involved the showcasing and amplifying of mistakes and equipment failures. E.S.P. began to feel that such unintended sounds actually had a greater capacity for chaos and intensity than those sounds they actually wished to create. Thus, recent studio recordings were edited to isolate and emphasize these sounds, creating an intricate web of pure noise.

The group's live performance has evolved drastically over the years, starting out as a standard recital of the recorded music, and eventually ending up as a drunken absurdist theatrical production utilizing homemade costumes, props and elaborate stage lighting set-ups; combining the elements of MTV’s "Jackass" with a literally crippling level of ineptitude. On a recent 2011 tour the group introduced an all wireless setup which allow not only greater freedom-of-movement but created another level of uncertainty with all manor of radio stations, shortwave, CB and other unintended electronic interference to play a role, including bizarre interactions between E.S.P. performers' signals.

Cock E.S.P. is often noted for injecting comedic and absurdist elements into their; the result of an ever-increasing level of hard work and professionalism. Despite releasing dozens of lo-fidelity demo cassettes in their early days that tend to consist of long, utterly lazy-sounding static tracks of heavily distorted low- to mid-range noise that sound like no one was paying any attention to any aspect of them, the group now embraces production values.

The roots of ESP date back to 1984, when founding member P.C. Hammeroids organized a metal-percussion noise ensemble called Grandpa Eats Goat Cheese. Over the next nine years, Hammeroids recorded and performed under several names, adding more and more electronic noise to the mix. In 1993 Hammeroids joined forces with Emil Hagstrom (of Wrong),[1] beginning the project which would soon become known as Cock E.S.P. The name of the group appears to have been derived from one of the track titles of an album by the Japanese noise band Hanatarash.

Hammeroids retired in 1996 and was replaced later that year by Matt Bacon.[1] Elyse Perez (Laundry Room Squelchers) became the permanent third member in 2001. Guest members over the years have included Weasel Walter (Flying Luttenbachers, XBXRX),[1] Rat Bastard (Laundryroom Squelchers, Scraping Teeth), Misty Martinez, La Persona (BunnyBrains, U Can Unlearn Guitar), Paige Flash, John Vance (Wrong, Rexor), and Kazko Peasmith (Insect Deli, Winter Carousel).

Cock E.S.P. has given more than 150 performances throughout the US and Europe in various rock and jazz clubs, punk houses, theatres, festival stages, art galleries, record stores and warehouse performance spaces. The group has collaborated with such artists as Thurston Moore, Merzbow and Aube; has played shows with such artists as Sonic Youth, Wolf Eyes, Hair Police, Borbetomagus, Stereolab, Impaler, Melt-Banana, Caroliner Rainbow, BunnyBrains, Illusion of Safety, Sudden Infant, V/Vm and the Nihilist Spasm Band; and has appeared on compilation releases with such artists as Andrew W.K., Derek Bailey, the Haters, Bruce Gilbert, Today is the Day, Reynols, Harvey Sid Fisher, Bomb20, Jansky Noise, Quintron, The Locust, His Name Is Alive, Jad Fair, John Oswald, Masonna, Hijo Kaidan, Lasse Marhaug and Free Kitten.[citation needed]

The group celebrated their 10th anniversary in autumn 2003 by releasing their second greatest hits collection, a remix CD, their first DVD, and by doing a three-week US tour. In early 2004 they released their third collection of greatest hits, and did a short tour featuring the "classic" Bacon/Hagstrom duo line-up.[citation needed]

In addition to Cock E.S.P., members have played in a variety of intriguing side-projects. Matt Bacon has been a drummer, bassist and vocalist with a number of punk, metal and industrial bands including Zenith Flytrap, the Derks, Sauce Party and Broke Box (which was once described by Peter Sotos of Whitehouse as being "Great!") Emil Hagstrom is also a member of the free-improv ensemble WRONG, and the dark electro-acoustic project Origami Genitalia. Elyse Perez performs no wave and punk with such bands as the Real Band and Fancy & Stink.

In 2004, Cock E.S.P. released an album jointly with Panicsville, Last Train to Cocksville, a 'tribute' to The Monkees.[2]

Members

  • Emil Hagstrom
  • Elyse Perez
  • Matt Bacon

Discography

Cock E.S.P.'s extensive discography can be found on their official website.

Albums

  • We mean It This Time (1999) Blackbean & Placenta
  • Excessive Size Punisher (2000) Fever Pitch
  • Hurts So Good: The Painful Remixes (2003) Offal
  • Cockworld Little Mafia
  • Last Train to Cocksville Little Mafia (with Panicsville)

Singles

Compilation appearances

  • "I Lied About Your Band So I Could Drink Beer For Free" on Brainwaves (2006)

Audio

Samples of Cock E.S.P.'s musical output can be found here.

References

  1. ^ a b c Raggett, Ned "Excessive Size Punisher Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  2. ^ Strohm, Adam (2004) "Dusted Reviews - Cock E.S.P. / Panicsville: Last Train To Cocksville", Dusted

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  • Cock — (k[o^]k), n. [AS. coc; of unknown origin, perh. in imitation of the cry of the cock. Cf. {Chicken}.] 1. The male of birds, particularly of gallinaceous or domestic fowls. [1913 Webster] 2. A vane in the shape of a cock; a weathercock. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cock — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: André de Cock (1880–1964), belgischer Philatelist Edward Cock (1805–1892), britischer Chirurg Hendrik de Cock (1801–1842), reformierter Theologe Hieronymus Cock (1510–1570), niederländischer Verleger Jan… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Cock — Cock, n. [It. cocca notch of an arrow.] 1. The notch of an arrow or crossbow. [1913 Webster] 2. The hammer in the lock of a firearm. [1913 Webster] {At cock}, {At full cock}, with the hammer raised and ready to fire; said of firearms, also,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cock´i|ly — cock|y1 «KOK ee», adjective, cock|i|er, cock|i|est. Informal. saucy and conceited; cocksure; arrogant: »That bully is a cocky little fellow. SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • cock|y — cock|y1 «KOK ee», adjective, cock|i|er, cock|i|est. Informal. saucy and conceited; cocksure; arrogant: »That bully is a cocky little fellow. SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • cock — ► NOUN 1) a male bird, especially of a domestic fowl. 2) vulgar slang a man s penis. 3) Brit. informal nonsense. 4) a firing lever in a gun which can be raised to be released by the trigger. 5) a stopcock. ► VERB 1) …   English terms dictionary

  • Cock — (k[o^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cocked} (k[o^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cocking}.] [Cf. Gael. coc to cock.] 1. To set erect; to turn up. [1913 Webster] Our Lightfoot barks, and cocks his ears. Gay. [1913 Webster] Dick would cock his nose in scorn.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cock — Cock, n. [Of. coque, F. coche, a small vessel, L. concha muscle shell, a vessel. See {Coach}, and cf. {Cog} a small boat.] A small boat. [1913 Webster] Yond tall anchoring bark [appears] Diminished to her cock; her cock, a buoy Almost too small… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cock — Cock, n. The act of cocking; also, the turn so given; as, a cock of the eyes; to give a hat a saucy cock. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cock-up — n BrE spoken informal something that has been spoiled by someone s stupid mistake or by being done badly ▪ He s made a monumental cock up of his first assignment. cock up over ▪ There s been a cock up over the tickets for the football on Saturday …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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