Biography
Among Canada's foremost practitioners of noise music stands Knurl, an artist whose appearances at experimental festivals have included collaborations with figures such as Keiji Haino, M.S.B.R., and Thurston Moore, alongside multiple releases on the Alien8 Recordings imprint. The project serves as the creative alias of Alan Bloor, a Windsor, Ontario native whose early training encompassed nearly ten years of classical and flamenco guitar alongside jazz bass. During the mid-'80s Bloor participated in multiple hardcore bands before turning toward noise textures while providing accompaniment for poets performing in Detroit, an activity that prompted his initial incorporation of scrap metal objects including fan blades and springs as sound sources. He launched the solo harsh noise endeavor Knurl in 1994 and commenced live appearances the next year. All of Knurl's recordings avoid the computers and samplers commonly linked to the genre. The first release arrived as the self-issued cassette Initial Shock in 1994, with the CD Nervescrap on Pure Records appearing shortly afterward. Two further albums emerged on Canada's Alien8 Recordings throughout the late '90s. Additional tracks by Knurl feature on compilations issued by Alien8, Entarte Kunst, Labyrinth, and other labels. Live work has also placed him alongside Jim O'Rourke, Haters, Princess Dragon Mom, and additional experimental artists. Beyond these activities, he has composed scores and taken part in various multi-media presentations.
Albums
