Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker, a New York noise rock outfit, fused the grim experimental edge heard in the Jesus Lizard, Swans, and Unsane with the raw garage blues-punk of Laughing Hyenas, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Royal Trux. The band formed in 1990, its first lineup consisting of ex-Crucifix guitarist/vocalist Matt Borruso and drummer Chris Douglas together with ex-Boss Hog guitarist Kurt Wolf (also of Pussy Galore) and bassist Jens Jürgensen (also of Swans). They issued their debut recording, the 1990 Sympathy for the Record Industry 7" single “Pray.” Jürgensen soon exited and Charles Hanson assumed the bass chair. The “King” single appeared on Lungcast in 1991, and the full-length Supernatural followed in 1992 on Patois/Cargo. At that stage their avant-garde noise tendencies had not yet shifted toward the blues-driven approach, marked by slide guitar, that later recordings would adopt. The transition began when Borruso replaced the remaining members with a new power-trio lineup anchored by bassist Christian Bongers and drummer Martin Kob. That edition of the band cut the 1995 Sympathy for the Record Industry album Rubberneckers vs. Tailgaters. Their third and last record, 1996’s Re-Vertebrate on Another Planet, offered the clearest merger of noise rock and scuzzy blues while showcasing Borruso on organ as well as guitar. Kurt Wolf subsequently performed with Emma Peel.