Prurient
Encyclopedia
Prurient is the performing name of Ian Dominick Fernow. He has released material on numerous independent record labels, such as American Tapes, Hanson Records
, RRRecords
, Load Records
, Troubleman Unlimited, Chrondritic Sound, Kitty Play Records
, and his own label Hospital Productions. Since the 2000's, Prurient has become one of the most well-known and influential names in noise music,, and has been covered in outlets such as The New Yorker
, Pitchfork Media
and The Village Voice
.
Fernow works primarily with a microphone
and amplifier
, and sometimes drums. On some releases he has been joined by Ben Barnett, Richard Dunn (FFH), John Wiese
, Jeff Plummer (Immaculate:Grotesque, Shallow Waters), Kris Lapke (Alberich, MCMS), Sickness, Wolf Eyes
, Macronympha
, Philip Best
, Sutcliffe Jugend
, The Hototogisu, Carlos Giffoni, Wilt, Grunt, Nicole 12, and Emily Salvatierra. Fernow grew up in Wisconsin but now lives in Manhattan and runs the Hospital Productions record label and retail record store. Fernow was also the guitarist of bands Football Rabbit, Vegas Martyrs
, Taylor Bow, and Ash Pool (in which he also sings). More recently, Fernow has started marketing to the black metal audience with his label and creative works and is currently the primary live synthesizer player for Cold Cave
.
Hanson Records
Hanson Records is an American independent record label founded in Brighton, Michigan and now based in Oberlin, Ohio. It is operated by the musician Aaron Dilloway, formerly of the band Wolf Eyes.-History:...
, RRRecords
RRRecords
RRRecords is a used and new record shop. RRRecords is distinguished as being the first American record label to specifically publish underground noise music in the early 1980s, and published the first American vinyl by Merzbow, Masonna, The Hanatarash, Violent Onsen Geisha, and many more artists...
, Load Records
Load Records
Load Records is an American noise/experimental independent record label based out of Providence, Rhode Island. "Load Records might possibly be in possession of the world's most challenging record roster," writes Mark Hensch of Thrash Pit...
, Troubleman Unlimited, Chrondritic Sound, Kitty Play Records
Kitty Play Records
Kitty Play is a New Jersey based record label formed in late 2003. The label's acts covers a wide variety of genres from straight forward rock music to abrasive noise...
, and his own label Hospital Productions. Since the 2000's, Prurient has become one of the most well-known and influential names in noise music,, and has been covered in outlets such as The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
and The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
.
Fernow works primarily with a microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
and amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
, and sometimes drums. On some releases he has been joined by Ben Barnett, Richard Dunn (FFH), John Wiese
John Wiese
-Biography:Born April 18, 1977, John Wiese is an artist and composer residing in Los Angeles, California. In the late 1990s, Wiese moved from St. Louis, Missouri to the west coast in order to study graphic design at the California Institute of the Arts...
, Jeff Plummer (Immaculate:Grotesque, Shallow Waters), Kris Lapke (Alberich, MCMS), Sickness, Wolf Eyes
Wolf Eyes
Wolf Eyes is a post-industrial/noise band from Detroit, Michigan, United States.-History:Wolf Eyes began as a solo project of former Nautical Almanac member Nate Young, with Aaron Dilloway joining in 1998, and John Olson in 2000...
, Macronympha
Macronympha
Macronympha is an American noise group formed 1990 by Joseph Roemer and Rodger Stella in Pittsburgh, PA. Tim Oliveira Stimbox and Dominick Fernow Prurient have occasionally appeared on Macronympha recordings and live performances....
, Philip Best
Philip Best
Philip Best is a pioneer of power electronics who formed the band Consumer Electronics in 1982 at the age of 14. He joined the group Whitehouse, led by William Bennett, in 1983...
, Sutcliffe Jugend
Sutcliffe Jügend
Sutcliffe Jügend is a power electronics band, which began in early 1982 as a sub-project of Kevin Tomkins' main band, Whitehouse, and instantly gained notoriety as one of the harshest groups of the original power electronics scene.-Biography:...
, The Hototogisu, Carlos Giffoni, Wilt, Grunt, Nicole 12, and Emily Salvatierra. Fernow grew up in Wisconsin but now lives in Manhattan and runs the Hospital Productions record label and retail record store. Fernow was also the guitarist of bands Football Rabbit, Vegas Martyrs
Vegas Martyrs
Vegas Martyrs is black metal noise music band featuring Dominick Fernow better known as Prurient on guitar, Richard Dunn on vocals & electronics and Joe Potts on drums. They have released records and cassettes on Hospital Productions, Kitty Play Records, and Troubleman Unlimited....
, Taylor Bow, and Ash Pool (in which he also sings). More recently, Fernow has started marketing to the black metal audience with his label and creative works and is currently the primary live synthesizer player for Cold Cave
Cold Cave
Cold Cave is the experimental musical project of Wesley Eisold based in New York City and originating in Philadelphia and is described as "a collage of darkwave, noise, and synth pop"...
.
1998
- A Simple Mark, cass (Hospital Productions)
- Persistence, cass, split with Potassium Cyanide Dogbane Sentiment (Beeshu Records)
2001
- Body Language, LP (Peel Back the Sky)
- Collaboration CD with Richard Ramirez & Flatline Construct (Hospital Productions, Peel Back the Sky, Monorail Trespassing)
- Guide to Grooming, cass (Monorail Trespassing)
- Hunt in Couples, 7", split with ASD (Hospital Productions, Anti-Everything)
- Magnified Healing, CD, split with T.E.F. & Richard Ramirez (Hospital Productions, T.E.F.)
- Mater Dolorosa, CD (Hospital Productions)
- Mummification and Prayer, cass (Hospital Productions)
- White Plains Leather: Black River Falls, cass (Hospital Productions)
- Valve Testing (Electronic Musik compilation, 1 track: "Pastune as Well")
2002
- Something Terrible Has Happened and I Need Your Help, cass (Monorail Trespassing)
- The History of Aids, CD (Hospital Productions/Armageddon)
- Live Prayer, 3", CD-R (Electronic Musik)
2003
- Recycled Music, cass (RRRecordsRRRecordsRRRecords is a used and new record shop. RRRecords is distinguished as being the first American record label to specifically publish underground noise music in the early 1980s, and published the first American vinyl by Merzbow, Masonna, The Hanatarash, Violent Onsen Geisha, and many more artists...
) - Troubled Sleep, CD (Truculent Recordings)
- We Set off in High Spirits, cass (Gods of Tundra)
2004
- 60 Minutes of Silence, cass (American Tapes)
- Fossil, CD (Truculent Recordings)
- Red Head, cass, with Pedestrial Deposit (RRRecordsRRRecordsRRRecords is a used and new record shop. RRRecords is distinguished as being the first American record label to specifically publish underground noise music in the early 1980s, and published the first American vinyl by Merzbow, Masonna, The Hanatarash, Violent Onsen Geisha, and many more artists...
) - Shipwreckers Diary, CD (Ground Fault)
- Starvation, cass (Hospital Productions)
- Sexual Magic, 2xCass (Hospital Productions)
- The Hidden Family/+White+, 12"/CD, with Kites (Load RecordsLoad RecordsLoad Records is an American noise/experimental independent record label based out of Providence, Rhode Island. "Load Records might possibly be in possession of the world's most challenging record roster," writes Mark Hensch of Thrash Pit...
)
2005
- African Division, cass (Hospital Productions)
- Black Vase, CD/LP (Load RecordsLoad RecordsLoad Records is an American noise/experimental independent record label based out of Providence, Rhode Island. "Load Records might possibly be in possession of the world's most challenging record roster," writes Mark Hensch of Thrash Pit...
) - Love and Romance, LP (Hospital Productions)
- The Baron's Chamber, CD (Nihilist RecordsNihilist RecordsNihilist Records is a record label that releases noise music albums, and is similar to labels like Load Records and Hanson Records, though it tends to release bands that are more controversial or offensive in a sensational manner...
) - The Warriors, CD/LP (Hospital Productions/Gods of Tundra)
- Church of Ammunition, 7" (Troubleman Unlimited RecordsTroubleman Unlimited RecordsTroubleman Unlimited Records is a record label specializing in indie rock and similar genres. Founded in 1993, the label is based in Bayonne, New Jersey and owned by Mike Simonetti....
) - Vegas Martyrs - Choking Doberman, 7" (Kitty Play RecordsKitty Play RecordsKitty Play is a New Jersey based record label formed in late 2003. The label's acts covers a wide variety of genres from straight forward rock music to abrasive noise...
)
2006
- Heavy Rain Returns, CD, with Carlos Giffoni (iDEAL Recordings)
- Memory Repeating, 7" (AA Records)
- Pleasure Ground, CD (Load RecordsLoad RecordsLoad Records is an American noise/experimental independent record label based out of Providence, Rhode Island. "Load Records might possibly be in possession of the world's most challenging record roster," writes Mark Hensch of Thrash Pit...
) - Point and Void, CD (Ninth Circle Music)
- Snail on a Razor, CD, with Hototogisu (Hospital Productions)
2007
- Cave Depression, 3x7" (No Fun Productions)
- Taylor Bow - Hate Fuck, 7" (Hospital Productions)
- Prurient, LP (Hanson RecordsHanson RecordsHanson Records is an American independent record label founded in Brighton, Michigan and now based in Oberlin, Ohio. It is operated by the musician Aaron Dilloway, formerly of the band Wolf Eyes.-History:...
) - Split, with MindflayerMindflayer (band)Mindflayer is a noise rock band from Providence, Rhode Island, made up of Brian Chippendale and Matt Brinkman which was formed out of Fort Thunder....
(Important Records) - Terminal Cases, 2x3" CD, split with Death Unit (aRCHIVE recordings)
- The Golden Chamber, cass (Hospital Productions)
- All Are Guests in the House of the Lord, cass/CD, with Kevin DrummKevin Drumm-Biography:Emerging from the city's improvised music scene, in the 1990s he became one of the world's pre-eminent prepared guitar players. Since then his work has expanded to include electroacoustic compositions and live electronic music made with laptop computers and analog modular synthesizers...
(Hospital Productions) - Cocaine Death, cass (Hospital Productions, edition of 46)
- Caribbean Overdose, cass (Hospital Productions, edition of 200)
2008
- And Still, Wanting, CD + Shield 5" (No Fun Productions)
- Arrowhead, CD (MegoMego (label)Mego was an experimental electronic music independent record label based in Vienna, Austria. The word 'Mego' is an acronym referring to "My Eyes Glaze Over", an expression attributed to futurologist Herman Kahn .-History:Founded in 1994 by Ramon Bauer, Andreas Pieper and Peter Meininger, before...
) - Tylenol Murders, cass (Hospital Productions, edition of 20)
- Cocaine Death, CD (Hospital Productions)
- Time Began in a Garden, 2xC10 (edition of 100)
- The Black Post Society, CD (Cold Spring Records)
2009
- Blood of the Lamb, LP, with Wilt (BloodLust!, edition of 100)
- Rose Pillar, 11" record, with book (Heartworm PressHeartworm PressHeartworm Press is an independent publisher based in Philadelphia. It specializes in limited editions, mainly books by music-related artists.Founded in 2003 by musician Wesley Eisold, Heartworm started out with zines and cassettes, before graduating to fine-art book editions...
, edition of 500) - Stars Explode, cass/LP, with Cold CaveCold CaveCold Cave is the experimental musical project of Wesley Eisold based in New York City and originating in Philadelphia and is described as "a collage of darkwave, noise, and synth pop"...
(Hospital Productions)
External links
- Prurient discography at discogs.com
- [ Prurient profile at allmusic.com]