Noise rock collective Temple of Bon Matin was formed in 1991 in Philadelphia by percussionist Ed Wilcox & keyboardist John Mulvaney. Their earliest sound was lo-fi space-rock, described as “"a blend of MC5 & Hawkwind played by a band of drunk amateurs".
The band evolved into an organic quintet playing near atonal free-jazz abstractions, like Albert Ayler improvising over themes by Merzbow, Faust, & the Residents fronted by Ed Wilcox, a deranged bard in the vein of Pere Ubu's David Thomas.
This first one should be a great place to start with this band. Nothing about it is sane. The name here is (Laser) Temple of Bon Matin??? (it doesn't even start with T) & what appears to be a track list on the tray card in no way (or some unknown way) corresponds to the tracks on the actual CD.
decryption codes in comments
actual tracks -
Track 1 7:54
Track 2 27:45
Track 3 10:39
Track 4 7:03
Track 5 20:02
track list on CD -
Bullets Into Mesmer's Brain
Dipper Mouth Blues
Souls Below Solo
Blue Skies Shining on Me
Mood Indigo
Slomo Oroman Aroma
Shells
ALH84001
7 Inches of Snow
A Bleak Stark Beauty
One Little Goat
History Is Bunk
& now you’re on your own. I will give you a bit of help. If you are interested in a deeper understanding of Ed Wilcox & Temple of Bon Matin, you should read Julian Cope's most literate album of the month review of Ed & band here.
Bandicoot
Jump for Joy
Jacobite
Bad Girl 1
Laguna
Bad Girl 2
God G
Soul Review
Never Been Home Before
Cockney Rebel Song
Enjoy,
NØ
Bullet into Mesmer’s Brain
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Monkey’s Straw Raincoat
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Thanks! Now I can finally read that chapter of Cope's book.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great write-up. Not to be missed.
DeleteMorning Nate. When i was young, i thought i knew everything. Now though, as i approach my 8th decade i realise how little i do actually know. It's a humbling experience. The world is, to paraphrase Louis McNeice, illimitably various & i need to be led by the hand through this jungle we call life. Thanks for being a guide. Alas though, the Cope link doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were as along the path as I far as I am. You always seem so vital. I guess some of us elder statesmen still have it together. As long as we keep open to change & willing to learn new things, life is still worth the living. But enough of that...
DeleteRichard also let me know about the Cope link. Just another brain fart on my part. Should be working fne now. Thanks to both of you.
Thanks
ReplyDeleteI needed to fiddle a bit on the link. copy and delete the part http etc nathan etc and just use the second part. Enfin the link says
https://nathannothinsez.blogspot.com/2026/04/(https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/album-of-the-month/temple-of-bon-matin
and should be a bit shorter.
I like it when people regard things as drunk amateur music, it reminds of picasso who is credited with this quote.
It took a child a year or so to paint, but it took me half a lifetime to paint as a child again.
The Picasso quote is so spot on, kinda how I feel about lots of things I finally am able to at least make a stab at.
DeleteThanks, Richard for letting me know about the Cope link. Should be fixed now.