(Dave Fleminger recalls this performance from Noise 292’s April 25, 1984, appearance at UCSD’s Center for Music Experiment.)
I 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)
— Dave Fleminger
Noise 292 MP3s:
- Noise 292 plays “The Assassin”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Chanson Dada”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Stupid Future”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Talking in Circles”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Subterranean Homesick Blues”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Sister Ray”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Mr. Pumpkin”: Listen now!
- Noise 292 plays “Eyesight”: Listen now!
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
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. 🙂
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.