Noot d' Noot Blogosphere

You never get to say goodbye

2009-11-10T10:59:00.000-05:00

As many of you have probably heard, Jerry Fuchs passed away yesterday. It is not my intention to use this forum to discuss the tragedy specifically, but instead put some thoughts down about Jerry and his life and talent. I really encourage all of you to do the same, in whatever way you decide to do it. He made an impact on all of us, whether it was personal or through his music. I would not have considered our friendship to be close by any means, but based on how I feel I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for his family, friends and bandmates and the grief they are experiencing. For everyone out there going through this, you have my condolences and utmost sympathy.

To put it in simple terms, Jerry was the drummer that I always wanted to be. He had an amazing natural style that you can’t acquire, and he worked hard to take that talent to an extraordinarily high level. He was the master of his trade. Along with his unbelievable musical ability, he had such a vibrant personality and an energy that was an inspiration to us all. He was living his dream as a professional drummer, which could have been perceived by most as a truly difficult road to take, but he always put it in terms that made it sound like such an adventure. He was doing exactly what he wanted to do, and we were the ones lucky enough to be his audience. We should have had a lifetime of experiences, but instead all we have are a stack of records and some video clips. It’s nothing. We will never experience his love of life, his intensity, his humor again.

That’s all I think I can say for now.

Lords of the Left Hand

2009-10-29T23:12:00.005-04:00

Please join us this Hallow's Eve at the Earl. Behold, he may still Walk Among Us........

I wish we could have won for best sandwich, maybe next time

2009-10-21T15:47:00.008-04:00

Thanks AJC staff for voting us the 4th best up and coming local band/musician in Atlanta. Jesse Smith received 5th place honors, so no medals for us, but a good showing nonetheless. Come see what it's all about when both of us play with The Coathangers on Halloween night at the EARL.

Little Dreamer

2009-10-20T02:29:00.003-04:00

Noot would like to welcome the newest member of the fam, Graham Roland, who touched ground 8/9/09. Much love. A word from Dream Sanitation to our blog readers: dream family would like to share some of our two dimensional projections. graham Roland has had a wonderful couple of months. he would have liked to check into the blogosphere earlier but staying out of the public limelight was a request the Sanitation's could not deny. this is a preview of a new series of updates about the home life of Noot d' Noot.

And a word from David Lee:

They may talk about you cold when you were

Headed for the skies
But you were young and bold and baby didn't that
Change with a wink of your eye

Temporal Lobes

2009-10-20T02:22:00.003-04:00

Selmanaires got some new jams and a serious tour hitting your town. Just noticed that they got a blog rolling too with quality content, including some carefully crafted mix-tapes of crazy shit you never heard for your listening enjoyment. Thought I might take a second to blog about their new blog and wish them well. Peace brothers.

Summer's End

2009-10-08T14:13:00.006-04:00

We now have advance tickets on sale for our Samhain celebration with Gentleman Jesse and The Coathangers at The EARL. The cloven hoof calls....

Aerodynamic Delilah

2009-10-01T01:33:00.006-04:00

Lo and behold, the Seventy Spacebird touches down again this Sunday at TOP FLR for another set of Science Fiction music conveyed by Noot Dee-jays. 9pm sound good? aiight....we'll pick you up there.

A few words from our sponsor..Brian Eno, "I believe in singing. I believe in singing together. I believe that singing is the key to long life, a good figure, a stable temperament, increased intelligence, new friends, super self-confidence, heightened sexual attractiveness and a better sense of humor. A recent long-term study conducted in Scandinavia sought to discover which activities related to a healthy and happy later life. Three stood out: camping, dancing and singing.

Well, there are physiological benefits, obviously: You use your lungs in a way that you probably don't for the rest of your day, breathing deeply and openly. And there are psychological benefits, too: Singing aloud leaves you with a sense of levity and contentedness. And then there are what I would call "civilizational benefits." When you sing with a group of people, you learn how to subsume yourself into a group consciousness becausea capella singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community. That's one of the great feelings — to stop being me for a little while and to become us. That way lies empathy, the great social virtue."

Balm Yard

2009-09-21T23:46:00.000-04:00

ali found another one. chase those crazy duppies outta town.

Brothers In Arms

2009-09-21T23:38:00.003-04:00

Judi Chicago just released a video for Fun City.....7" release show is this Saturday and you'll find some Noots on the wheels of steel and the Congo I Bongos. On the top of the Glenn Hotel, Sat Nite. The pretty girls will stay lookin' pretty.

Science Fiction Sundays

2009-09-03T11:40:00.006-04:00

1st Sundays of the month.....Science Fiction......Noot d' Noot Soundsystem......at Top Flr......evening time.......1st Sunday..........starts this Sunday.......Sept 6.......good tunes....cheap dranks....Korova Milk.........

Genome d' Jah

2009-08-19T00:12:00.002-04:00

Jah Scorp has been working on an ATL Genome for some time now, and Mark from Quadiliacha has realized his vision with this fully interactive graph. See how it all ties together H E R E.

Lovely Sky Boat

2009-08-18T22:11:00.002-04:00

A-fir-ju-well, Rashied Ali, who passed forward last week. Though admittedly, I have a hard time with the later Coltrane-era chaos, the Alice Coltrane records that immediately follow JC's passing bring peace and calmness like few things I've heard. Rashied's drumming is completely free of time and timeless, rhythmless and in the pocket, tumultuous and serene. Beautiful.

Street Dreams are Made of These

2009-08-06T10:39:00.004-04:00

Crab Louie: I played music before I understood the Beatles. Once I got the Beatles, understood the musicianship, it was easily a redefinition of my approach to crafting songs, to instrumentation, to you name it. Even my bass playing. White folks never heard bass being played like that. [It was] nothing short of a complete overhaul of my understanding of how I should approach the instrument and engage the public. I prefer John Lennon as a songwriter, but I can’t help but show love for Paul McCartney. Favorite (Paul McCartney) Beatles song: “Mother Nature’s Son.”

(via Creative Loafing)

Linguistics

2009-08-04T14:32:00.006-04:00

This past weekend, under direct orders from Sgt. Flowers himself, The Noot Squad performed their sworn duties in the missing man formation for both Dream Sanitation and Chappy. It seems DS has been up to his eyeballs in what the French refer to as "Le Bullshit" these last couple of weeks. Whether it be big bossman, johnny lawcakes, or the Slumlord who just doesn't care, my man can't catch a break. And to top it all off, he and the missus are furiously readying Sanitation Manor for the arrival of their first born son Damo Zawinul Dinger. (Real name withheld for security purposes). What's remarkable however, is that all the while the Dream has maintained his sense of humor, style, and timing with his guns up and his ho's down. To this I raise a glass and offer a toast: Here's to some future shit, spaceman...we love you guys.
p.s. You wouldn't believe how many conversations with Dream Sanitation go exactly like this.

Top Flrin'

2009-07-28T13:55:00.005-04:00

Double Dutch Duck Dawgs. The Noot d' Noot Soundsystem will be Asphalt Blastin' Thursday Nite, August 6th at 529. Don't forget Science Fiction erry 3rd Saturday in the MJQ Cafe. Big up 4th Ward Heroes for the photo (and the gig). Come Shake yr Money Maker!!!

Take that Pearl

2009-07-16T17:37:00.002-04:00

Up in NYC, and across the other pond in TKO, our co-conspirator Leb Laze is making the music that makes us want to make music. Run on over to The Atlanta Creatives Project to read his take on Southern slowness, the color green, and Noot d' noot.

Its The Occasion

2009-07-16T12:12:00.003-04:00

Coupla more joints from the release show, these two both from Cash For Gold. Its almost like you were there...thanks to Allison Meranda Bettancourt for these.

Jack Move

2009-07-14T19:09:00.002-04:00

It's a caper...filmed at the EARL June 20th, Cash For Gold album release.

Hot August Noots

2009-07-13T16:47:00.008-04:00

After laying low for two weeks, Noot will emerge to DJ Top Flr's 2 year anniversay on Sunday, July 26th. Next stop will be the warm up spot for the humble magnificent himself, Edan. This goes down at Apache Cafe Saturday August 1st. Those crazy cats over at Speakeasy Promotions threw together a mixtape for the occasion which you can download H E R E or stream H E R E. Last but not least will be a Worming The Starhole proper, over
at The Star Bar with Judi Chicago. Going down Saturday, August 8th. Actually, come to think of it Dookie and Crab Louie will be holding it down at MJQ Concourse this Saturday nite, July 18th, in the Cafe. We don't stop till you get enough. The water keep runnin runnin runnin runnin.

Dawg Daze

2009-07-13T16:40:00.003-04:00

Noot rather enjoyed Corndogorama's return to East LA this summer. Hopefully you did too, and it can go down again next summer in a similar fashion. Above: a clip of "Super Double Buzz" from next year's follow up to Cash For Gold. Below: a clip constructed by Creative Loafing of all the festive summer fun, with "Fingers Like Steeples" as a back drop.

Spirit Of Starhole '76

2009-06-29T15:53:00.007-04:00

Celebrate America's Birth with Noot d' Noot and Judi Chicago brought to you by Whynatte? This Friday and Saturday at Smith's Olde Bar, Judi and Noot will take turns headlining two evenings of cauchaos, garaunteed to end in an orgy of sonic impropriety and lust as the twelve become one. Join us!

May Allah Be With You:

Kind Regards

2009-06-25T10:02:00.005-04:00

Noot gives thanks to all those who came out to the Cash For Gold Forum at The EARL. Now, we do it again in the Classic City. There will be a follow up Summit at Athfest this Friday at Farm 255. Last time we came thru we were greeted with warm regards and we can't wait to put it on you again.

Orange Alert

2009-06-19T17:12:00.005-04:00

Jason Behrends can see the Cumbia for the Noot. Check his Q & A on $4G with Bimbi right H E R E. And dig the Orange Alert.

Put Your Cash where your Gold is.

2009-06-19T13:33:00.004-04:00

Bimbi's been busy, actually showin' up to scheduled appointments (consider yourself lucky if he finds the time to leave the studio). Check this interview with Creative Loafing's Bad Madbird.

These same doods also wrote a review of our latest vignette, Cash for Gold. Go on and add Deee-Lite to the list of mother-funkers we been compared too. But we ain't complainin'. At some point y'all should mention that Noot d' noot sounds most like the ODB, cause there really ain't no father to our style.

paix.

A Message From SGT. Flowers

2009-06-19T08:47:00.001-04:00

Dateline: 19, June 2009 Anno Domini

This transmission originates from astride a donkey as dictated to my humble man-servant and confidant Chester von Lhotse (lineage unconfirmed), during an annual trek across the southern tip of Sinai to collect Porites negrosensis corals from the Red Sea’s Eilat Reef (medical reasons...if you must know...but you should ask Mrs. Sgt. Gary Flowers [ret.] how much she likes my skin diving, if you catch my drift).

I just had to get out of town ya’ll. Consider this my Spring Break, my Panama City or Myrtle Beach, just with less airbrushing and more gypsies (but surprisingly enough, roughly the equivalent amount of wet t-shirt contests). Chester von Lhotse and I have been recreating here since spending time on a recruiting mission in the area while enlisted with the Dutch Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indische Leger in an effort to revive those once great mercenary forces who’s ranks had never quite recovered from the bloody victories of the Aceh War (hence my distrust of all Tiger related balms). We spent countless hours combing these barren hell-scapes searching for recruits willing to throw down their lives for the glory of the LowLands, usually with limited results, generally with genital chaffing, and always with the plaintive tones of some local shepardess’ flute accompanying our sojourn. We fell in love with the rusted red mountain crags casting their mile long shadows across the brittled silence of the desert plateau. We became intimate with every Bedouin bazaar, every gypsy festival, and every pilgrim tent city (and no, I don’t know where the “burning bush” was...quit asking already) along the way. We forged a deep understanding and appreciation of what constitutes survival versus what it means to just, “get by”.

It all makes me a little home-sick.

Now, this might be the shwarma talking(Chester makes the darndest tzatziki sauce, I mean, we are nowhere near yogurt, much less refrigeration of any kind, and he won’t tell me what the base of his sauce is, but boy is it tasty), but something about this place always reminds me of dem Noot boyz. Thriving in the desert as it were, not unlike the fabled Tamarix mannifera tree which in biblical times was the source of the resinous “manna from heaven” (it’s really just sap...people in biblical times were simple and easily impressed), or the Bedus folk, emerging from their houses of hair just long enough to settle a blood feud and snack upon a date palm. Survival steez.

Noot d’ Noot scan a hostile horizon looking for the day’s kill upon which they will dine. By what victim will this evenings supper be hast?

The musical landscape is every bit as antagonistic as the desert floor upon which my very donkey has rendered his steaming dung. Very little can be expected to flourish amid the sun baked chalk of modern music, and how could it? What is left to do? Where can I find even a luke warm Taybeh Beer Golden in this god forsaken wasteland? Why wouldn’t a rag-tag assemblage of drug addled freaks be the new rock-n-roll construct? Who else you got?

I have laid down with Noot d’ Noot on many an occasion, biblically and otherwise, and I feel I have been granted privileged access into the brain-trust (and I use that term lightly) of this cult. But even with my exposure (again...biblical and otherwise) to the inner Noot sanctum, I dare not glean any rational explanation for their guiding philosophies, credos, doctrines, or values, lest my medulla oblongata liquify and slide down my spinal column into a gelatinous goop on the inner cheeks of my sweet, sweet ass. Ideologically, this group has taken two opposite maxims, and made them into one glorious lifestyle that I would not wish upon my worst enemy (I’m looking at you Ed...).

One the one hand, you have the heuristic maxim of advised economy and simplicity; entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily. Okham’s razor basically, the anti-spiritual reductionist tenet which advises us to cut the proverbial shit. The d’ Noots routinely do just that, crystallizing the Acid Test tomfoolery of Fifty Foot Hose with the conga fueled sex funk of Jungle Boogie’s D.C. go-go rhythms, extracting the Frafra talking drum ensembles from Northeastern Ghana and marrying them with vaudevillian humor of Manual Training High School twice-over dropout Pat Cooper, or synthesizing the infamous 1978 Grandmaster Caz versus Afrika Bambaataa battle at the Bronx Police Athletic League with the Teutonic progression-from-aggression-to-communication that characterized Gila’s “Free Electric Sound” album. They are currently in a tapestry covered, back light lit, ganja hazed den doing all that, cutting the shit.

But then on the other hand, the Pataphysic side of the Noots have never meet a sound they didn’t like, or rather, couldn’t wrestle into submission until it became a sound they liked. It was the Fireking who has been heard quoting, muttering really, Karl Menger’s Law Against Miserliness; “it is vain to do with fewer what requires more”. Of course, he was saying it in Latin, and it might not have been in reference to music, but to “the ladies”, it was late at night, so I can’t be certain. The point though is that if music is a collection of organized sounds, why aren’t all organized sounds music? Or are they? Or did I just blow your mind? I don’t know, I’m just a retired veteran (hero really) on the back of a jackass traipsing across the blessed desert. Bimbi G. claims that a true artist can only perform aleatory music, and that the randomness of chance is just as important as the notation of melody. Sounds fine, but then how do you justify that with Skins Malones’ assertion that only via tonal mystic minimalism (usually smoothed out on an Estonian Orthodox tip) can one transcend mere cacophony? Confusing right? Then please don’t make me bring up Circuit Diva’s Voltaire tattoo...no the one next to the “F.T.W”, the one that says, “All styles are good except the tiresome kind”.

Do you see what I’m saying here? I’m saying, it’s no use saying anything about Noot d’ Noot, much less to them. They don’t care, or didn’t care, because they are already gone. They are but a multi-headed Naga, each with it’s own diabolical fangs poised to devourer another helpless square, foolish enough to tempt entry into the Temple of Boogie. Who really knows to what bounds these malefactors will go in order to keep the party going, and worse yet, what might they do if you should stand between them and the last dance of the night. Having this much fun is no joke to these people, and lest you think I’m kidding, check the Atlanta Journal-Constitution next Sunday morning, towards the back of the Metro section...you’ll see their handiwork.

Look, it’s hot here, and the amount of dairy I’ve been ingesting multiplied by the oppressive roar of the sun overhead equals one thing. And unfortunately dear reader, that “thing” rhymes with onomatopoeia, but what it smells like rhymes with rotting hobo corpse, so I need to find the nearest Arabian jujube to squat behind post haste. So in closing, I want you take credence to these words I’ve said this day, and I want you understand one important notion in regards to Noot d’ Noot; you can try to follow in their wake, you can track their stink (and what a magnificent stink they spread), but realize that they themselves are on no path at all, no road is leading them to any conclusion, they tread where there is no path and leave a kaleidoscopic trail of their own divinations behind. If you choose to journey with them, bring a change of clothes.

Not to belabor the point, but oh lord, I hope Lhotse packed extra Wet Ones.

Keep ‘er vertical,

Sgt. Gary Flowers (ret.)