Music
A brief history of industrial electronics – selected by Richard Fearless
The dark duke behind Death In Vegas picks 10 hard-edged dance tracks that’ll pummel you into a state of ecstasy.
It’s a perverse paradox that, if you want to bring genuine joy to the dancefloor, sometimes only the darkest records will do. Richard Fearless knows this well. In his storied history – as resident DJ at legendary ‘90s club Heavenly Social, as the man behind long-running production project Death In Vegas, and more recently as the presence behind electronic imprint Drone, releasing by records by Daniel Avery and Gabe Gurnsey – Fearless has become intimately acquainted with a certain style of hard-edged, metallic dance music.
It’s a sound that’s particularly evident on his first ever solo album under his own name, Deep Rave Memory. “Harsh, avant-garde, experimental, aggressive, anti-establishment, with a raw punk aesthetic: industrial music, with all its sub genres, has always influenced my work,” says Fearless. He’s selected a brace of tracks that chart the evolution of industrial music, from its emergence in the late ‘70s through to modern artists pushing a contemporary take on the sound.
1. Throbbing Gristle – AB-7A
Dubbed 'the wreckers of civilisation’, Throbbing Gristle were the avant-garde forbearers of industrial music. Hearing [1978 album] D.O.A: The Third And Final Report for the first time was a milestone for me. Everything seemed so wrong about it on first listen, but somehow it was just so right. Delving into their world and all the paths leading from it – COUM Transmissions, Chris & Cosey, Coil – has been such an inspirational journey.
2. Cabaret Voltaire – I Want You
Sheffield’s post-punk saboteurs. I Want You is one of their later songs. Neville Brody, who did the sleeve for this, studied at the London College of Printing, where I did my degree – he was a legend there. This track was big one at [Soho nightspot] the Job Club, where I had my first residency.
3. Severed Heads – Dead Eyes Opened
Severed Heads came out of Austrlaia’s post punk scene, and slowly transitioned to industrial pop. This is a sublime later mix of one of their most famous tracks.
4. Front 242 – Controversy Between
Belgium’s EBM forbearers Front 242 carried the baton from Throbbing Gristle, and were incredibly important in the development of techno. They were super-experimental with their use of tape machines, and one of the first bands to use the phrase ‘Electronic Body Music’ to describe their sound. Their use of vocals and delays have been a big influence on my work.
5. Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Bleak, stunning synth pop. This version might be one of the first dance 12-inches I remember listening to as a kid. I remember being blown away by the power of dance music – it just seemed so sexy. The dub is so fucking great and I’ve always preferred this version.
6. Ike Yard – Loss
Doom laden art-rock collective Ike Yard are a New York post punk band who were part of the no-wave scene. I love their use of field recordings and scrap metal percussion – fantastic band.
7. Snowy Red – Relax
Yet another artist from Belgium, Snowy Red was a unique artist pushing the minimal wave sound.
7. Ramleh – Product Of Fear
One of my favourite pieces by power electronics/noise artists Ramleh, Product Of Fear is politically charged and just perfect. I was overjoyed to have them support Death In Vegas at our London show a couple of years back.
9. Abdulla Rashim – Vestal Witness
It’s important to appreciate how much industrial music has shaped techno today. The formidable artist Anthony Linell – especially his work under the name of Abdulla Rashim – ricochets between experimental electronics and techno. His caustic rhythms have stripped techno back to its heart, and he has had a huge influence on contemporary techno – both through his own work and through his Northern Electronics label.
Death in Vegas – You Disco I Freak
A few years I did an album with Sasha Grey after we bonded over a love of Throbbing Gristle. Sasha sang on a couple of the songs. My studio is opposite a steel factory and all day I listen to the sound of scrap metal. I channelled that grind into this song.
Buy Richard Fearless' Deep Rave Memory here
