The White Mice
Encyclopedia
The White Mice are an abrasive, experimental, industrial, noise rock
and noisegrind band from Providence
, Rhode Island
. They consist of vocals, drums, bass and electronics, but, live, often have a rotation of guest members playing guitars, electronica and custom, unidentifiable circuit-bent instruments. Formed in late 2001, the bands first live performance, 10/31/01, took titular and visual inspiration from an old, open sewers era, british slang, for used tampons and tissue floating in a sewer. A slang still in use by plumbers today. They are known to use any level of humor, portmanteau terms and re-imagined puns thru out much of their work. (for example, they refer to their myspace as their "micespace") In time, developing their own unique slang language, boobonics, as they re-imagine post apocalyptic soundscapes where a primal rats eye view of some kind of twisted alternate mutant human history, and reality, prevails. The strong sense of irreverence, humor and creativity in all their work brings them a growing cult following as the band continues to play with the image and possibilities of the musical medium on record and continues to play and tour often.
Known for unforgettable live performances, they adorn bloody lab outfits and custom circuit-bent mouse masks, and create a harsh, furious sound, a mix of bass and drum heavy rhythms, thick with distortion and wound full of howling live electronic manipulation and blistering vocals.
They have toured with Lightning Bolt
, USA is a Monster, Coughs, An Albatross, Skinny Puppy, Dj Scotch Egg, Bolz'n, Pleasurehorse, Suffering Bastard, and Athletic Automaton.
They have self-released several records, including "Mouse of Mendes" and a Christmas album entitled "Do They Know It's Christmice?" before being signed to Load Records
, where they recorded and released two more albums. Further records have been released on the Blossoming Noise label of Atlanta Georgia, as well as several independent labels.
With Load Records
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
and noisegrind band from Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. They consist of vocals, drums, bass and electronics, but, live, often have a rotation of guest members playing guitars, electronica and custom, unidentifiable circuit-bent instruments. Formed in late 2001, the bands first live performance, 10/31/01, took titular and visual inspiration from an old, open sewers era, british slang, for used tampons and tissue floating in a sewer. A slang still in use by plumbers today. They are known to use any level of humor, portmanteau terms and re-imagined puns thru out much of their work. (for example, they refer to their myspace as their "micespace") In time, developing their own unique slang language, boobonics, as they re-imagine post apocalyptic soundscapes where a primal rats eye view of some kind of twisted alternate mutant human history, and reality, prevails. The strong sense of irreverence, humor and creativity in all their work brings them a growing cult following as the band continues to play with the image and possibilities of the musical medium on record and continues to play and tour often.
Known for unforgettable live performances, they adorn bloody lab outfits and custom circuit-bent mouse masks, and create a harsh, furious sound, a mix of bass and drum heavy rhythms, thick with distortion and wound full of howling live electronic manipulation and blistering vocals.
"White Mice succeed where so many other performance based, noise oriented artists fail: the acually have great SONGS to back up their performances (and great performances they are, blood spattered mice costumes and all). Also, while some artists working in similar genres marinate themselves in pretensions, White Mice exude a disarmingly retarded sense of humor (their penchant for mice-ifying everything - song titles such as "mousSTASsh Ride," for example). For these reasons, I was looking forward to hearing White Mice's latest release, Excreamantraintraveinanus. First things first: this album sounds great. Somehow the crew at Machines with Magnets (Pawtucket, Rhode Island) captured White Mice's scuzzy, fuzzy sound without sacrificing any of the power or clarity that comes from the punishing volumes at which they play. Equally impressive, however, are the songs showcased here. "Gouda and Evil," which wraps strands of harsh noise around a hypnotic bass line and sledgehammer style drum beats, stands as one of the strongest moments on the album. The distorted, and at times vomitous, vocals are simply terrifying. Who knew a song about cheese could be so brutal? Many critics hear a heavy Melvins-influence in the songs of White Mice, a point which could be supported by the White Mice's love of heavy, sludgy sounds; however, what separates White Mice from this obvious influence is their almost painterly use of noise - they actually rock an oscillator to create whirling harsh soundscapes - and wickedly good basslines. Sure, plentiful grooves can be found in Melvins songs, but check out the busted, off kilter swagger of White Mice's "Fondleeza Mice." Your head will be nodding in no time. Some allege that many of White Mice's songs sound the same, but they miss the point: at their best, White Mice spin cohesive nightmares like no one else. Here's to another expertly crafted jaunt by these costume-clad masters of Malaise." (-Michael Grigelevich) Skyscraper Magazine #28, Summer 2008
They have toured with Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt is a noise rock duo from Providence, Rhode Island, composed of Brian Chippendale on drums and vocals and Brian Gibson on bass guitar. The band met and formed in 1994, when the members of the then-trio attended the Rhode Island School of Design. The band signed to Load Records in...
, USA is a Monster, Coughs, An Albatross, Skinny Puppy, Dj Scotch Egg, Bolz'n, Pleasurehorse, Suffering Bastard, and Athletic Automaton.
They have self-released several records, including "Mouse of Mendes" and a Christmas album entitled "Do They Know It's Christmice?" before being signed to 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...
, where they recorded and released two more albums. Further records have been released on the Blossoming Noise label of Atlanta Georgia, as well as several independent labels.
Self Released
- Mouse of Mendes (CD-R, 2003)
- Do They Know It's Christmice? (CD-R, 2004)
- HemosexualRodentalDamnatalcare((( of the futurd O))) (CD-R, 2007)
- Tapeworm Series I-IV (Tape, 2003–07)
- Tapeworm III (Cd-R, 2006)
- FissstSyphallus Diller (tape, 2006)
With 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...
- ASSPhIXXXEATATESHUN (LP, 2005)
- BLASSSTPHLEGMEICE (LP, 2007)
- "V/A Pick A Winner" (DVD comp., 2006)
With StolenSounds.com
- The White Mice Box, Live in Nashville, June 2005 (LP, 2006)
With Ohnono
- LIVE at AS220, June 2004, Birthday Ceremoananal to the Jonestown Landfill (CD-R, 2005)
External links
- Official White Mice Web site
- White Mice at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- [ White Mice] at allmusic
- Load Records