The (International) Noise Conspiracy
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| The (International) Noise Conspiracy | ||
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 The (I)nc performing at the Sokol Underground in Omaha, Nebraska
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Sweden | |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock, Garage rock, Garage punk, Indie rock, Anarcho-punk | |
| Years active | 1999–present | |
| Label(s) | G7 Welcoming Committee Records Burning Heart Records American Recordings |
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| Associated acts |
Refused | |
| Website | Official website | |
| Members | ||
| Dennis Lyxzén Inge Johansson Lars Strömberg Ludwig Dahlberg Billy Preston Benmont Tench |
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| Former members | ||
| Sara Almgren | ||
The (International) Noise Conspiracy is a garage rock band with punk rock influences, consisting of Dennis Lyxzén (vocals), Inge Johansson (bass), Lars Strömberg (guitar), Ludwig Dahlberg (drums) and Sara Almgren (organ and guitar). Dennis formed The (I)nc almost immediately after the break up of his former band, Refused. The (I)nc takes pride in blending the roots of at least four other bands, including Totalt Jävla Mörker (Johansson), Separation (Strömberg), Saidiwas (Dahlberg and Almgren), and Doughnuts (Almgren).
Influenced by a quote from 1960's folk singer Phil Ochs, the lead singer Lyxzén, the band wanted to achieve an ideal blend of music and politics that was, "a cross between Elvis Presley and Che Guevara." Furthermore, according to the liner notes of their debut album, The First Conspiracy, the band wanted to combat music's function as spectacle. This is a concept taken from Guy Debord's work The Society of the Spectacle.
There is much fanfare about the band's Marxist ideology and position as communists, a label they in fact give themselves. However, they don't belong to Stalinist or other traditional socialist positions and are politically opposed to hierarchy and the state. Much of their images, and writings reflect situationist, left communist, and anarchist political positions and influences.
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[edit] First recordings
In 1999 the band recorded their debut The First Conspiracy with G7 Welcoming Committee Records. Although hardly a commercial success, the album led to the band's recognition by the punk label Burning Heart Records (though the same label already had released records of some of the band members older bands), and in 2000 they released the album Survival Sickness. Considered one of the finest examples of situationist-influenced punk rock, Survival Sickness saw the band pushing their revolutionary ideology with scathing lyrics and an infectious rhythm. Many of the lyrics are taken directly from the writings of members of the Situationist International especially Raoul Vaniegem's The Revolution of Everyday Life.
By 2001, the band had re-entered the Burning Heart studio to record their next album, A New Morning, Changing Weather. Taking advantage of Almgren’s organ playing, The (International) Noise Conspiracy produced a record far beyond the realm of most punk groups. Using organs, horns, keys, etc, the band began to establish a reputation for eclectic instrumentation, which they would continue cultivate.
[edit] Touring
The band's first tour outside Sweden, their homeland, went to China. They played their songs in illegal and hidden rock clubs while the Chinese police waited outside with guns and nightsticks. They also toured with My Chemical Romance in the United States. The band's lead singer describes their music as like The Hives with added politics, as The (International) Noise Conspiracy have a strong situationist agenda in some of their work, such as 'Capitalism Stole My Virginity'.
[edit] Later recordings
Between 2002 and 2003, the Up For Sale EP (Sympathy for the Record Industry) and Bigger Cages, Longer Chains EP (2003, Burning Heart/Epitaph Records) were recorded. In 2004 The (International) Noise Conspiracy teamed up with famed producer Rick Rubin on what would become their next album. Organists Billy Preston and Benmont Tench also temporarily joined the lineup, as Sara Almgren left the band in order to play for the Swedish punk band, The Vicious). Rick Rubin signed the band on to his label American Recordings. In the end, the band released Armed Love in 2004. The inlay of the album pays tribute to the slogan: "¡O Bailan todos, o no baila nadie!" as written by Tupamaros. The saying translates to: "Either Everyone Dances, or No One Dances!" According to The (International) Noise Conspiracy, they try to define their idea and music with this phrase.
The (International) Noise Conspiracy continues to play and tour to this day, constantly pushing a far-left wing stance towards autonomous Marxism.
Right now the band is currently writing and recording for a new full length album that is being targeted for a Spring 2007 release.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- The First Conspiracy (1999, G7 Welcoming Committee Records)
- Survival Sickness (2000, Burning Heart Records)
- A New Morning, Changing Weather (2001, Burning Heart Records)
- Armed Love (2004, American Recordings)
[edit] Live albums
- Your Choice Live Series (2002, Your Choice Records)
- Live At Oslo Jazz Festival (2003, Moserobie Music Production)
- (Live EP) (2005, American Recordings)
[edit] EPs and Singles
- The Conspiracy 7" (1999, Premonition Records)
- Abolish Works 7" (1999, The Black Mask Collective)
- T.I.M.E.B.O.M.B. 7" (1999, Carcrash Records)
- The Subversive Sound Of The Conspiracy 7" (1999, Trans Solar Records)
- Smash It Up EP (2000, Big Wheel Recreation)
- The Reproduction Of Death EP (2001, Sub Pop Records)
- Capitalism Stole My Virginity EP (2001, G7 Welcoming Committee Records)
- Up For Sale EP (2002, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
- Bigger Cages, Longer Chains EP (2003, Burning Heart/Epitaph Records)
- Black Mask EP (2004, Burning Heart Records)
- A Small Demand EP (2004, Burning Heart Records)
[edit] Compilations/Other
- Separation / T(I)NC (1999 split with Separation, The Black Mask Collective)
- Take Penacilin Now (2005 compilation, G7 Welcoming Committee Records)
[edit] Videography
- "Smash It Up"
- "The Reproduction of Death"
- "Capitalism Stole My Virginity"
- "Up For Sale"
- "Black Mask"
- "A Small Demand" (video high res on Bedlam Society)
[edit] See also
- The Lost Patrol Band, Dennis Lyxzén's solo project
- Refused, Dennis Lyxzén's former band
