Nihilist Spasm Band

http://www3.sympatico.ca/pratten/NSB/

Heineken TransMedia Stage: Friday, 5:45pm – 6:15pm

Artist Biography

The Nihilist Spasm Band is a unique experimental collective generally known as “the first noise band.” Formed in 1965 in London, Ontario, the Canadian group has since improvised on a number of instruments, including homemade creations such as the violin created by bandmember Art Pratten, the “Pratt-a-various.” Bandmembers include John Boyle (artist) kazoo and drums, John Clement (MD) guitar and drums, Bill Exley (geezer/latinist) vocals, Murray Favro (artist) guitar and Pratten (pensioner/gentleman of leisure) Pratt-a-various and Waterpipe. Former members include: Greg Curnoe (deceased), Hugh McIntyre (deceased) and Archie Leitch (permanently retired) Their first concert took place in early 1966 and their debut recording, No Record, followed two years later. Another decade passed before their next album, Vol. 2, was released, but despite their sporadic recording, the band remained busy with live performances. For over 30 years, NSB has performed every Monday night at the Forest City Gallery in London. They have also performed at N.Y.C.’s Knitting Factory, the FIMAV music festival in Quebec and other creative music festivals, and toured Japan in 1997. Many of the Nihilist Spasm Band albums have been reissued on the Japanese label Alchemy Records by fan and noise artist Jojo Hiroshige (of Hijokaidan).