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Gnod
Gnod are "an ever evolving creature that sheds its skin and grows anew, it’s hard to pin down precisely who, or what, Gnod are. This bleeds into their music as well; steeped firmly in psychedelia but drawing from influences as disparate as Afro-beat, krautrock, drone, jazz and dance music, their recent release with White Hills, Drop Out, is a deeply immersive illusion of repetition whereby its motorik rhythms underpin a myriad of hypnotic textures. As a band they’re always creating, hours and hours of jams of which they occasionally see fit to release to the wider world. I say occasionally; since their formation in 2007 they’ve had at least twelve full-length releases and claim to have had many more. These appear out of nowhere though, with no fanfare or attention; Gnod aren’t wilfully elusive, but there is a mysticism that surrounds them nonetheless, an ever changing cast and a lack of information about them ... they keep themselves to themselves mainly, in a collective residency at Salford’s Islington Mill – a creative arts space where they live and rehearse." Quietus
Quite concise really. Gnod often get tarnished with the label of space rock and get compared to Hawkwind. I really don't get that at all. This is Kosmiche inspired psychedelia all the way down! The freak 'n' roll of Ash Ra Tempel, the motorik beat of Neu! and the groove of early Can. Add the punk-funk of, say, the MC5, the repetition of Suicide or Spacemen 3 and garnish with the psychotic theatre of Sunburned Hand Of The Man and you're closer to the truth. However, this isn't meant to date them or bind them in cultural reference points...Gnod are quintessentially Gnod!
I've listened to Gnod for ages and love them. However, I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't seen them live. That is until this year's Supersonic Festival. That's when it all fell into place for me! They were a quite literal revelation. That's when the collective spirit and joy really shone through. Completely inspirational. Gnod seem to be constantly touring the UK and have started to branch out into mainland Europe. Whenever you get the chance, go and see Gnod live! Which brings me to Islington Mill, the spiritual home of Gnod and a shining beacon in the mainstream sludge of Manchester. If you are anywhere nearby...keep an eye on this place! Gnod play here all the time but you will get to see everyone from Melt Banana to Sun Araw, Dieter Moebius to Acid Mothers Temple, Sunn O))) to Chris Corsano.
Gnod have just released a split lp (with A Middle Sex) on Blackest Rainbow. There are only 400 of these so I'd grab it now if I were you.
Thanks go to Gnod for being very supportive of this post going ahead!!!
Goodbye 2010. Hello 2011.
2011 belongs to Gnod!
2007 - Gnod - Abstehen Der Ohren & Live Birth [self-released]
2007 - Gnod - Lord Fear's Dream, Bulletproof Awareness & Pixiedust
2007 - Gnod - Never Nothing Ever (Volume III) [self-released]
2008 - Gnod - The Somnambulist’s Tale (s-sided C100) [sloow tapes]
2008 - White Hills & Gnod - Aquarian Downer (tour cdr) [white hills music]
2009 - Bong & Gnod - Split (cdr) [box records]
2009 - Gnod - Gnod (lp) [pariah child]
2009 - Gnod - Sex, Drones & Broken Bones (or secret pathways to hidden lands)
2009 - Gnod - The Crystal Pagoda (C40) [sonic meditations]
2009 - Gnod - Wuste Zeremonie (cdr) [reverb worship]
2009 - Gnod White Hills - Drop Out (tour cdr) [drug space records]
2010 - Gnod - Full Moon Ritual (C45) [cabin floor esoterica]
2010 - Gnod - Science & Industry (C60) [not not fun records]
2010 - Gnod & Robedoor - Bored Fortress (7'') [not not fun records]
2010 - Gnod Drop Out With White Hills II (2xlp) [rocket recordings]
Gnod plus Fonik - Supercluster (net release) [electronic musik]
Gnod vs Noise Research - Galaxy Being (net release) [electronic musik]
