The Velvet Forum

This rocks!
I just bought a copy of 'I Don't Wanna' by Henry Flynt and The Insurrections, recorded in 1966. If you read the Wire in 2001 you will know that Flynt was taught guitar by Lou Reed and even substituted for Cale on a few VU gigs in '66 (a fact seemingly not mentioned on the olandum site). He rejected pure art music and explored where drone and rock and hillbilly music meet using both violin and guitar. The band on I Don't Wanna also features Walter de Maria on drums and the music is some kind of 'protest' proto folk-punk with a guitar and drum sound and a sonic ambiance that will be familiar to lovers of the early Velvets. You can check out samples somewhere on Locust Music's website.

I haven't heard his other recordings that explore the drone yet but can report back when I do.


Mr. Datsun

I remember reading that he played violin with the band at the Dom one night, but that they wouldn't have him back! Still, sounds interesting...

simonm wrote:I remember reading that he played violin with the band at the Dom one night, but that they wouldn't have him back! Still, sounds interesting...

According to the article in Wire, he claims Reed punched him and told him to stop playing hillbilly.

Anyway, because my original post now sounds rather like some advert, I want to add that you should hear this before buying it. I do have a personal interest in the music and art of that period that is connected to the Velvet's story, hence my perhaps rather effusive description. However, it is worth checking out if you also have an interest in La Monte Young, Cale and Conrad.

Mr Datsun

what a riot! What issue of the Wire was this in? It's wild that he's been left out of the history books. but I'm glad to hear that he's coming forward a bit to fill in the gaps. I concur, the the insurrections record is essential listening. It sits somewhere between the monks & VU!!!!

thebeach