blueWank

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soundclick.com/bluewank

Fox River Farms, IL USA

Alternative • Other Alternative

January 06, 2004

9,322 plays
67,091 views

Welcome. There are usually about six of us in here. Individually, we are citizens. Together, we produce sound. Sound so vital that it can only be used for good or evil, depending on who is at the mic. Combined weight: 912 lbs. Favorite color: pink dark.







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Band/artist history

Some of us met in Art College in 1970. Some were in a mime troupe around the same time. Two of us met in the drunk tank (ah, college). From these meetings a number of bands were formed- The Ever-Flowing Blues Emporium, Skyyfox Freejazz Composition Corporation, The Cheese Wardens, and, later, Larry's Leggs, Dairy Aire, and The Wandering Mistrials. You may have seen some of these bands in the DesMoines, Los Angeles, Chicagoland, or Galena, IL areas in the 70's. Contractual limitations prohibit us from naming our current 'day job' bands, so let's just say that somewhere 1984 we met up via intersecting musical circles and common interests and started jamming together. We haven't figured out how to stop just yet.

Have you performed in front of an audience?

Generally, we play for therapeutic reasons, in a controlled environment. On occasion we do play out, usually at a costumed affair. It's safer that way. Two memorable moments come to mind: the night a heckler was invited on stage to insult us more directly. He was so good we left him alone to do his comedy bits. He was great. He's working as a professional comic now. And the 88-minute improvised Monster Mash suite, Halloween, 1997.

Your musical influences

Ivor Cutler, Mrs. Miller, Syd Barret, Jim Morrison, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Captain Beefheart, Doors, Beck, Hank Williams, Hawkwind, Wild Man Fischer, Ice Cube, Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Brian Wilson, Dixie Chicks, NWA,  Fred Rogers, Eels, Squids, Smelts, Tea, Harry Partch

What equipment do you use?

blueWank uses and endorses pawn shop and garage sale equipment and toys. We enjoy the hum.

Anything else?

All blueWank performances are improvised. To create a group mind, white paper disposable painting coveralls are worn while the music is being created. During breaks, the coveralls are removed and refreshments taken in another area. Occasionally, wives, friends and fans are invited to paint designs on the coveralls while we play. Political activism is music. Trees are green.