On any post, if the link is no longer good, leave a comment if you want the music re-uploaded. As long as I still have the file, or the record, cd, or cassette to re-rip, I will gladly accommodate in a timely manner all such requests.

Slinging tuneage like some fried or otherwise soused short-order cook

11 December 2024

Executive Crazemas - for MrDave

MrDave is a longtime Frenz of NSS. 

He always imparts intelligent opinions in all his comments (or just says, sounds good, thanks...you know how it goes). I know from past conversations we've had that his collection of musick is vast. I know also that I have at times provided music that he didn't already have. I'm hoping I can hit a homer here. 

 



In the winter of 1981, Executive Slacks, founder by Philadelphia College of Art students Matt Marello & John Young (joined shortly thereafter by Albert Ganss), fused the proto-industrialisms of early Cabaret Voltaire to the archly gloomy funk of Tuxedomoon along with the primitive, slashing guitars of No-Wave for an art-school Dadaist lark.

They used sound like a painter would use color & a brush. They combined tape loops & found sounds or anything lying around their house that would emit a sound. Kind of like Pop Art banality. Originally more sound collage, over time as they began to perform live & created more  structured songs in a more traditional way, but with the spirit of sound collage always at the heart of their style. 

The name Executive Slacks fell within the realm of the banal, the pop-art aesthetic. The name was taken from a magazine advertisement for mail-order pants: 3 for $9.99. They liked the dichotomy between the idea of the executive & the pathetic cheapness of the product. Also, the two words created an internal contradiction with “slacks” as meaning “lazy.” & they liked the contraction of Executive Slacks to Ex Slacks, the chocolate laxative.

Let's start at the beginning. Come with me now to the distant past. It was 1983... 

 

Executive Slacks - Executive Slacks 12" 45rpm EP, Red Music EP005, 1983.
all decryption codes in comments

Side 1 -
The Bus
Thirty Years

Side 2 -
Cinema
So Mote it Be
 
 
 
 

Their first full-length came out two years later. It was produced by Killing Joke founding member Youth (Martin Glover).
 
 
Executive Slacks - Nausea, Fundamental SAVE 4, 1985.

Side A -

In & Out    
Spiders    
Nausea    
Magot    
Smoking Man

Side B -

Electric Blues    
Ecce Homo    
Sisyphus    
Cold    
The Park
 
 
 

By the end of the 80s the band was gone. They reformed later with different personnel but were never the same. Although their sound was kind of a mixture of Cabaret Voltaire, early D.A.F., & Chrome, a sound that served as an influence on electro-industrial bands to come, that evolved into a genre that made stars of Ministry & Nine Inch Nails, Ex Slacks never garnered the fame they deserved. Most of their material has been post-humously released & a entirely new set of fans have arisen. In 2016 they released a set containing early band recordings, many previously unreleased, on Dark Entries.
 
 
Executive Slacks - Seams Ruff, Dark Entries DE-128, 2016

Side A -

I Don't Know What to Do
Radiation Baby
Boring
Semi-Boring
30 Years (original version)
Inside/Out

Side B -

Filet Mignon
Join the Army, Johnny
Who am I?
Bang My Head (Against the Wall)
They Read
I'm Coming (Bedroom Version)
        
bonus Flexi Disc -    
I'm Coming (Live on WXPN)
 
 

Put on those party pants,

7 comments:

  1. Self-titled
    J2N1Gu8CKgWjWjHGkw8plt6VBsPio2e8EHE0hhLrQw4
    Nausea
    9K6EyBAZqpIoX_p66-S3A4cCUxBLvmsnjtM4_Fj2Z6U
    Seams Ruff
    JXpmN1KIvko5E5dOrDz1OPEUfud16SoDo4BuR3dgYlg

    ReplyDelete
  2. By the way, here's todays Muslimgauze links:

    Muslimgauze - Ingaza, Staalplaat STCD165, 2006.
    https://mega.nz/file/288EybaL#xQ53-Ua5V9wgcrAHlVEHXa2jX4ISPJl9Ms7ui6zqlGc

    Muslimgauze - Camel Through a Needle’s Eye, The Muslimgauze Preservation Society TMPS02 2010.
    https://mega.nz/file/Lp9ygKxQ#KOY9B4zCgv3RZcbPrN0zimTuvwpMFEwwEwyBhnC4sD4

    The Rootsman / Muslimgauze - Fuck Israel, The Muslimgauze Preservation Society TMPS09, 2011.
    https://mega.nz/file/ClslXDqZ#zjf0hnMF8wdfx4Ohn8TcrK3wy0TNcENt7-dpan11NyU

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for this band which works for me as well and also for keeping me up on these Muslimgauze posties that the footballer has been posting...(although didn't see these after finally catching up today while away for 2 weeks). Your 'Crazymas' is stuck in my head (much better than X-mas which I don't use). Cheers Bro'

    ReplyDelete
  4. Many, many thanks, Nate! This is the kind of advent calendar I like. Executive Slacks is a band name that has always been familiar, but I don't think I ever listened to them. Certainly a band to check out.
    Also, thanks a lot for the new Muslimgauze links. It's been less than two months since you convinced me to check out Muslimgauze and by now I've already downloaded some 150 albums. That's a lot and there is so much more out there. Haven't listened to all of them, of course, but I'm (deperately?) trying to catch up. Listened to Muslimgauze again yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Finally, thank you very much for pointing out Duet Emmo to me. I looked around a bit and found out that you posted it earlier. So, that's yet another treat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm planning on keeping this advent calander of sound fresh stocked right up to Crazemas Daze. Thanks, brother.

      Muslimgauze is a seemingly bottomless pit. After Rob was kind enough to share the links he found over at Twilight Zone, I thought it the least I could do to add a few more that I have.

      Forgot to mention that I had previously shared Duet Emmo. Glad you found it. One of my favorite Bruce projects.

      Delete
  5. Thanks Nathan! I am honored and humbled by your thoughtfulness and generosity, especially since, unlike last year, I didn't back the truck up to the loading dock with a lengthy xmas wishlist and have been slacking off on my participation here. This indeed is a new one for me and it sounds like something I'll definitely dig. THANKS and Merry Crazemas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sez you've been slacking off so this gift ought to be perfect. New slacks for the Executive slacker. No letters to Satan necessary here. I make my list & check it thrice. I know who's been naughty as mice. Have a wonderful Crazemas.

      Delete