Genres: A look at the odd, obscure, unknown and unconsidered
Carrie Hinkel-Gill
Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: A&E
This week in genres I want to explore the influence authors have on music, particularly J.G. Ballard and H.P. Lovecraft. Some of you may recognize these two names, but many may not. However, I think many people will recognize the names of these two films: Empire of the Sun (1987), by Steven Spielberg, and Crash (1996), by David Cronenberg. Both movies were based off of J.G. Ballard novels. As for H.P. Lovecraft who is credited with creating the Cthulhu Mythos, another popular role-playing card game. Beyond influences like these, both authors have been credited with inspiring a certain type, or genre, of music.
Fans of what is called, industrial music, claim that the best way to understand the philosophy and mentality behind the genre is to read J.G. Ballard's works, specifically Crash, which was published in 1973. While his works explore the relationship between man and machine, pioneers of industrial music, such as Cabaret Voltaire out of the industrial town Sheffield, England, claim dada performance art as well. The documentary, Made in Sheffield (2001), also shows how people living in the town constantly heard the sounds of the huge foundry (metal clinking against metal) and these sounds were what inspired their music. However, I think a valid argument can be made for using Ballard to explain the philosophy behind the music.
If he didn't inspire the genre, then why feature him? Mostly because of the influence people imply he has on the music industry. In an article he wrote in 2001 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Doug Elfman makes the weak connection that Madonna's, yes Madonna, 2001 "Drowned World" tour was inspired by the apocalyptic tales of J.G. Ballard, but doesn't provide any real proof. According to Internet encyclopedia sites, the tour's name came from the name of the song, "Substitute for Love," which was changed after a rewrite to "Drowned World (Substitute for Love)." Elfman's claim seems completely unfounded. Readers beware: having the same name does not imply influence or inspiration unless directly stated by the artist in question. If there is such an article where Madonna claimed she was actually influenced by J.G. Ballard novels, I couldn't find it.
Even though I can't legitimately say that he influenced the likes of Madonna, groups like Klaxons and Comsat Angels demonstrated his influence on their work. The Klaxons named an album after one of Ballard's works and Comsat Angels took their name from another one.
There is however an entire genre influenced by H.P. Lovecraft's work. While some of the early claims of influence that the website hplovecraft.com makes are suspect, the later claims may show some truth. The site refers to the Blue Oyster Cult (BOC) FAQ as grains of truth. Please note that this is a collection of stuff compiled by a fan and posted to the Internet for other dedicated BOC fans. Because this is not a direct reference from the artists themselves, I do not take much stock in it.
Even though there are some sketchy connections on the site, it does have a number of groups that demonstrate unequivocally that they have been directly influenced by Lovecraft's work. These bands directly refer to names and subject matter and in some cases put the stories to their own music. This is what makes it a genre in itself. There is no goofy, lengthy naming convention like sci-fi-demon-coming-out-of-the-gates-of-hell music, but a simple one, named for the man who wrote the stories and gained a cult following, Lovecraftian. Some bands that can't be denied as Lovecraftian music are Children of the Monkey Machine, Cradle of Filth, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets (TDHT), Dawn of Relic, Death Breath and many others that can be found on the site.
None of these bands are currently touring. I am not sure if that's good or bad because, while I love science fiction, death metal just isn't really my style, but they might appeal to others.
This leads me to ask the readers for help!
Do you know of any local bands that legitimately claim authors such as H.P. Lovecraft or J.G. Ballard as inspiration?
If so, what band and what author? Where do they play and when?
If a fan of the Lovecraftian music genre, what different subgenres of the music have you found?
Fans of what is called, industrial music, claim that the best way to understand the philosophy and mentality behind the genre is to read J.G. Ballard's works, specifically Crash, which was published in 1973. While his works explore the relationship between man and machine, pioneers of industrial music, such as Cabaret Voltaire out of the industrial town Sheffield, England, claim dada performance art as well. The documentary, Made in Sheffield (2001), also shows how people living in the town constantly heard the sounds of the huge foundry (metal clinking against metal) and these sounds were what inspired their music. However, I think a valid argument can be made for using Ballard to explain the philosophy behind the music.
If he didn't inspire the genre, then why feature him? Mostly because of the influence people imply he has on the music industry. In an article he wrote in 2001 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Doug Elfman makes the weak connection that Madonna's, yes Madonna, 2001 "Drowned World" tour was inspired by the apocalyptic tales of J.G. Ballard, but doesn't provide any real proof. According to Internet encyclopedia sites, the tour's name came from the name of the song, "Substitute for Love," which was changed after a rewrite to "Drowned World (Substitute for Love)." Elfman's claim seems completely unfounded. Readers beware: having the same name does not imply influence or inspiration unless directly stated by the artist in question. If there is such an article where Madonna claimed she was actually influenced by J.G. Ballard novels, I couldn't find it.
Even though I can't legitimately say that he influenced the likes of Madonna, groups like Klaxons and Comsat Angels demonstrated his influence on their work. The Klaxons named an album after one of Ballard's works and Comsat Angels took their name from another one.
There is however an entire genre influenced by H.P. Lovecraft's work. While some of the early claims of influence that the website hplovecraft.com makes are suspect, the later claims may show some truth. The site refers to the Blue Oyster Cult (BOC) FAQ as grains of truth. Please note that this is a collection of stuff compiled by a fan and posted to the Internet for other dedicated BOC fans. Because this is not a direct reference from the artists themselves, I do not take much stock in it.
Even though there are some sketchy connections on the site, it does have a number of groups that demonstrate unequivocally that they have been directly influenced by Lovecraft's work. These bands directly refer to names and subject matter and in some cases put the stories to their own music. This is what makes it a genre in itself. There is no goofy, lengthy naming convention like sci-fi-demon-coming-out-of-the-gates-of-hell music, but a simple one, named for the man who wrote the stories and gained a cult following, Lovecraftian. Some bands that can't be denied as Lovecraftian music are Children of the Monkey Machine, Cradle of Filth, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets (TDHT), Dawn of Relic, Death Breath and many others that can be found on the site.
None of these bands are currently touring. I am not sure if that's good or bad because, while I love science fiction, death metal just isn't really my style, but they might appeal to others.
This leads me to ask the readers for help!
Do you know of any local bands that legitimately claim authors such as H.P. Lovecraft or J.G. Ballard as inspiration?
If so, what band and what author? Where do they play and when?
If a fan of the Lovecraftian music genre, what different subgenres of the music have you found?
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 5
lightpainter
David Ramagee
posted 10/18/08 @ 12:52 PM CST
As someone who lived in a house with the group of musician's who became Blue Oyster Cult, I can tell you that Sandy Pearlman, the manager, producer, and writer of many of the band's early lyrics was definitely a fan of H. (Continued…)
John Trimble
posted 10/20/08 @ 12:22 PM CST
Try Electric Wizard's "Witchcult Today" album; songs such as "Dunwich", "Satanic Rites Of Drugula" & the title track contain explicit Lovedraft references. (Continued…)
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