Noise 292: “Never Come Near”

(Dave Fleminger recalls this performance from Noise 292’s April 25, 1984, appearance at UCSD’s Center for Music Experiment.)

Detail: Noise 292 flyer for April 1984 eventsI strongly remember this show, and especially this song. It was one of the last shows I saw before I left San Diego. Noise 292’s set was solid and focused, and unrelenting. This song, the last one in the set, struck me especially in its cold and alienating embrace.

The vocals and the high melody lock together into a single statement that shatters by the end into a mass of confusion and disjointed thought. Like so many great songs, it was easy to relate to it as a manifestation of my own mixed feelings — in this case about leaving home, my friends, this amazing music scene, everything familiar.

When Matthew sings “I don’t need you” is he simply rejecting disapproval from outside influences, or asserting his own confident opinion and self-sufficiency? I have no idea of his intent, but it sure spoke to me as I was grappling with that equation during that unsure time.

The shadows have never left the walls … what could have been, what might be outside if you dare to look, what causes us to hide …

Matthew Rothenberg (vocals, bass); David Rives (guitar); Wendell Kling (violin); Joanne Norris (drums)

Listen to it now!

— Dave Fleminger

Noise 292 MP3s:

3 thoughts on “Noise 292: “Never Come Near”

  1. thanks for the music dave
    beauty with an edge

    when i hung out
    with noise 292
    it really marked
    the end of
    my association
    with everyone

    the band spoke
    of my own vulnerability
    and desire to run
    away
    as far away as possible

    now 25 years later
    really happy to
    come back home

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  2. I’m glad to be with you, Mr. Damian. It was an odd period, and I hope our aesthetic influence was ultimately positive for you.

    I was a little nervous sharing this song … The band sounds tight, but I was purposely trying to make my vocals as unartful as possible. Makes me wince now — I’d rethink the delivery, but it is what it is. 🙂

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  3. That purposeful off the track is what the Noise was a lot about. Over the edge, and making the edge. I’m glad we could make a space to try that…the energy comes out. No wincing here, but I was feeling on the edge listening, recalling and I broke a sweat gripping my seat.

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