Black Pus. Photo courtesy of Thrill Jockey
As half of legendary noise-rock monsters Lightning Bolt, Brian Chippendale has been the masked maniac drummer stationed next to bass-mongering hero Brian Gibson since the late ’90s, releasing album after album of duo terror. However, during Lightning Bolt’s reign, Chippendale has found time to pilot his own ape-shit solo project he calls Black Pus. Equipped with a drum-mounted oscillator that transmits waves of noise triggered by his kick drum, Chippendale then fuses his trademark drums-pummeling insanity with distorted vocal freak-outs. The catch is, his Black Pus may drip with chaotic noise but underneath the sonic din lay anthems bursting with melodic grooves. His forthcoming All My Relations is Chippendale’s latest apex, and like Lightning Bolt, it’s tailor made to incite riots. Here’s five Black Pus tracks to get yourself acquainted.
1. “1000 Years”
“1000 Years,” the first chugging, noise-drenched, arena-ready single off All My Relations, will no doubt whet the appetite of Lightning Bolt enthusiasts clamoring for something new. Lightning Bolt’s last official record was 2009’s Earthy Delights. For this wacky vid, Chippendale spliced together killer cartoons he drew back in grade school.
2. “Floatzilla”
From the archives of Chippdale’s epic Black Pus blog(http://blackpusone.blogspot.com) chock full of Black Pus action is the gloriously lo-fi, hilarious effects and destruction of “Floatzilla.” Even back in 2007, Chippendale was melding dissonance with melody on this split record with the schizoid experimentalists, Foot Village.
3. “The Wise Toad”
Before Black Pus’s first “official” release on Load Records (Primordial Pus), Chippendale released records DIY style. Tons of CD-R’s, singles, cassettes and split records were his forte, and he still remains steeped in that ethos regardless of now being signed to major indie, Thrill Jockey. 2008’s “The Wise Toad” is yet another goofball video and addictive maelstrom from a twisted, mind-freak genius.
4. “Play God”
Chippendale’s trademark shtick has long been his mug obscured by a mask, especially in the live setting. In this vid for “Play God,” a catchy, hip hop flavored dance-driven track taken from 2012’s self-released Pus Mortem(http://blackpus.bandcamp.com/), the drummer extraordinaire dons a serial killer mask and sets out on a forest expedition toting an ax for good ol’ Black Pus shits ‘n’ giggles.
5. “1000 Years” + extra jam Live at Death by Audio
Chippendale will soon be taking Black Pus on the road in support of All My Relations. Expect octopus-armed, hyperactive madness and faces ripped like you see in this live video from Death by Audio in Brooklyn.
All My Relations is out March 19 on Thrill Jockey.
