Cock E.S.P.
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History
Cock E.S.P. draws on the most extreme, subversive and absurdist elements of both popular and experimental Twentieth Century music and performance art, creating abstract high-energy entertainment. Influences include punk rock, modern composition, improvised free-jazz, Japanese Noise music, hardcore industrial, 80's metal and electronica.
Although the group has dabbled in various musical styles and techniques over the years, the most recent and most successful has involved the showcasing and amplifying of mistakes and equipment failures. E.S.P. began to realize that such unintended sounds actually had a greater capacity for chaos and intensity than those sounds they actually wished to create. Thus, recent studio recordings were carefully edited to isolate and emphasize these sounds, creating an intricate web of pure noise.
The group's live performance has evolved drastically over the years, starting out as a standard recital of the recorded music, and eventually ending up as a drunken absurdist theatrical production utilizing homemade costumes, props and elaborate stage lighting set-ups; combining the worst elements of MTV’s "Jackass" with a literally crippling level of ineptitude.
Cock E.S.P. is often noted for injecting comedic and absurdist elements into their music, however the group has also been responsible for some of the most powerful and inventive sounds produced by the harsh noise genre; the result of an ever-increasing level of hard work and professionalism. Despite releasing dozens of lo-fidelity demo cassettes in their early days, the group now embraces the highest possible production values, while continuing to avoid the pitfalls of many noise artists who take themselves more seriously than their music would suggest they deserve.
The roots of ESP date back to 1984, when founding member P.C. Hammeroids organized a metal-percussion noise ensemble called Grandpa Eats Goat Cheese. Over the next nine years, Hammeroids recorded and performed under several names, adding more and more electronic noise to the mix. In 1993 Hammeroids joined forces with Emil Hagstrom, beginning the project which would soon become known as Cock E.S.P. Hammeroids retired in 1996 and was replaced later that year by Matt Bacon. Elyse Perez (Laundry Room Squelchers) became the permanent third member in 2001. Guest members over the years have included Weasel Walter (Flying Luttenbachers, XBXRX), Rat Bastard (Laundryroom Squelchers, Scraping Teeth), Misty Martinez, La Persona (BunnyBrains, U Can Unlearn Guitar), Paige Flash and Kazko Peasmith (Insect Deli, Winter Carousel).
Cock E.S.P. has given more than 150 performances throughout the US and Europe in various rock and jazz clubs, punk houses, theatres, festival stages, art galleries, record stores and warehouse performance spaces. The group has collaborated with such artists as Thurston Moore, Merzbow and Aube; has played shows with such artists as Sonic Youth, Wolf Eyes, Hair Police, Borbetomagus, Stereolab, Impaler, Melt-Banana, Caroliner, the BunnyBrains, Illusion of Safety, Sudden Infant, V/Vm and the Nihilist Spasm Band; and has appeared on compilation releases with such artists as Andrew W.K., Derek Bailey, the Haters, Bruce Gilbert, Today is the Day, Reynols, Harvey Sid Fisher, Bomb20, Jansky Noise, Quintron, The Locust, His Name is Alive, Jad Fair, John Oswald, Masonna, Hijo Kaidan, Lasse Marhaug and Free Kitten.
The group celebrated their 10th anniversary in autumn 2003 by releasing their second greatest hits collection, a remix CD, their first DVD, and by doing a three-week US tour. In early 2004 they released their third collection of greatest hits, and did a short tour featuring the "classic" Bacon/Hagstrom duo line-up.
In addition to Cock E.S.P., the members have played in a variety of intriguing side-projects. Matt Bacon has been a drummer, bassist and vocalist with a number of punk, metal and industrial bands including Zenith Flytrap, the Derks and Broke Box (which was once described by Peter Sotos of Whitehouse as being "Great!") E.W. Hagstrom is also a member of the free-improv ensemble WRONG, and the dark electro-acoustic project Origami Genitalia. Elyse Perez performs no wave and punk with such bands as the Real Band and Fancy & Stink.
Members
Albums
Cock E.S.P.'s extensive discography can be found on their official website.
Audio
Samples of Cock E.S.P.'s musical output can be found both here and here.
Related web sites
- www.cockesp.com (Official site)
