Originally posted to rec.music.bluenote, 28 Sep 1993 04:28:24 -0400.
Ted Epstein is also in SLAN with Zorn and Elliott Sharp (which by a pleasant surprise I got to see earlier this year) and Blind Idiot God with Andy Hawkins (guitar) and Gabe Katz (bass). Spy vs. Spy tonight was a nostalgic gig in some ways (like "Spillane") because the first thing I ever saw at the Knitting Factory was Spy vs. Spy (June 1st 1990, midnight set). That night it was Dresser, Zorn, Berne plus David Sanborn (!) and with Ted Epstein and Pheeroan Aklaff on drums. Aklaff seemed frustrated. Which is understandable... Ted Epstein is a monstrous drummer. That was the first time I had ever heard him (or even heard of him). Afterwards I was deafened (shell-shocked I should say...) -- but I was impressed! He has taken certain aspects of rock drumming and amplified them, perhaps best characterised by a barrage of heavy triple- or quadruple-time bass-drum rhythms. He uses not just speed but sometimes also acceleration (ie intense variations of tempo). Anyway, that's my "Ode to Ted Epstein". I highly recommend Blind Idiot God's "Undertow" (Enemy) and "Cyclotron" (Avant) and their first album, "Blind Idiot God" (SST), isn't bad either but not as awesome as their later ones. I wish SLAN had released a full album... :(
One cool thing about tonight was that the first time we saw Spy vs. Spy they didn't do "Feet Music". They almost did it but Zorn decided to do something else instead. Well, this time they did do "Feet Music" in the first set and also as an encore for the second set. During the second set, when I was up close and could see and hear better, I noticed a greater number of cool things that Dresser was doing. Like at the end of one tune he was using both hands on the neck of the bass and doing this weird but rhythmic thing that sounded great. He appeared to have another pickup at the top of the neck (like Frith does on his guitar), at least I think that's what it was (does anyone know about this?). Tonight he was very impressive (as usual) at times but too often overpowered. Zorn attempted to give Berne and Dresser more room sometimes, by indicating to Epstein to keep things relatively calm for a while. But at other times he would urge Epstein to come up too. Zorn didn't seem to have any problem playing with Epstein at more or less full power. The most effective parts IMHO were when he was doing Painkiller-style shrieking. I've noticed that Zorn is using circular breathing quite a lot now. At one point Berne asked Zorn for a reed. They talked reeds a little (Zorn recommended a certain brand, etc.).
One great "highpoint" was when Baron decided to accelerate. He lashed out a faster and faster pulse using a simple alternation between cymbal and snare (if I remember correctly) and Epstein's rate-of-fire climbed up the scale, reaching quite a furious pace. Baron seemed to be having a good time. I couldn't see his face during the second set but during the first he was grinning insanely as usual and seemed enthusiastic about Epstein's blasts of thrash. There were some moments when Baron and Epstein played in synch rather well. Even the whole band had its moments on the heads, like the one with a kind of glissando up and then a quick octave down at the end of the phrase (can't remember tune name but it's on the album...) -- they really nailed that one.
I'm fairly certain that the Knitting Factory videotaped Spy vs. Spy but I don't know if any of it will be released. I hope so.
-Ed
PS It took great effort to restrain myself from raving at great length about the entire history of first hearing Ted Epstein, the first Blind Idiot God album I heard, all their other albums, the first time I saw Blind Idiot God live, the second and third times I saw them live, seeing SLAN, etc. etc. etc. The best thing would be if everyone just went out and got "Cyclotron" and listened to it really loud (one would be hard-pressed to get anywhere near their actual volume, believe me) and became Blind Idiot God fans; then I wouldn't have to babble like a freak about them so much!!!