Since the 1970s, Houston, TX has become one of the world's leading centers for a particular brand of dark experimental music, ranging from psych-rock to industrial to distorted, stripped-down folk songs, to dance party mayhem, but all sharing a similar aesthetic sensibility rooted in dissonance and a flippant attitude towards sonic clarity and technical virtuosity. Together these groups fall under the heading of Houston Noise.
Contents |
This list is for notable bands identified as part of the Houston Noise genre.
One contributing factor to the formation of noise bands in the Houston area has been Rice Radio, founded and operated by Rice University students whose "eclectic and progressive programming" has historically included psych and noise from around the world with a special focus on the Houston scene. Additionally, geography plays a role in explaining the creation of the Houston sound, which mixes psych with a broad range musical genres.
An article about the local scene gives one reference to this Houston sound. "I don't know if it's a Houston curse or a Houston blessing, but [like a lot of local bands] they're not enough of one thing, they're a little bit different, they're a little bit off," says Sound Exchange owner-manager Kurt Brennan, who has released some of their material in the past on his Fleece label.[4]
An April 12, 2007 article in the Houston Press praised the egalitarian spirit of Noise Music in Houston. Unlike stodgier Noise epicenters such as Tokyo and Brooklyn, it stated "Houston Noise is an equal opportunity genre. Men, women, men who want to be women, women who love men who want to be women -- everybody has a shot at being a noiser.""Houston Noise Music - Top five reasons to love it". http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-04-12/music/houston-noise-music/.