quoted 5 lines From: KaisrSolze@aol.com[SMTP:KAISRSOLZE@AOL.COM]> From: KaisrSolze@aol.com[SMTP:KAISRSOLZE@AOL.COM]
>
> I guess I'd disagree, for a few reasons. First, it wsn't as if EBN just
> had a video machijne. they had like 2 computers and two keyboards w/ EBN
> stickers on them, whichg weren't up on stage, but in the sound booth.
Doesn't prove anything. I still think they're faking.
quoted 2 lines Second, they did visuals throughout, not just during their set, and all the> Second, they did visuals throughout, not just during their set, and all the
> visuals were pretty synchronized, meaning they did some stuff on the fly.
I honestly think they were controlling much less stuff than you think.
How often did you see the performers make some motion with some part of their
body which resulted in a change in the images or sounds in the space? As a
general guideline, if the performer doesn't noticable manipulate something at
least 20 times a minute or so then they are being a bit lazy. I'm not looking
for no fast-lick guitar godz or anything, just a little work. EBN didn't look
like they were quite up to the bar when I saw them.
quoted 4 lines Third, I came in during sound check, and they were testing out the drummer,> Third, I came in during sound check, and they were testing out the drummer,
> etc. visuals. My guess is that they hooked up a given sound to the beginning
> of a given tape loop thru their computer, and then went from there. I really
> doubt it was prerecorded.
Okay, so the guy had to remember that "Song 1 goes with videotape #48, Song 2
goes with videotape #16, etc..."
I've seen some kick-ass VJ's out there who make EBN look like couch potatoes or
even like luddites. My freind VJ Lo$$ Vega$$ (who's in the Whitney Biennial!)
has done some beautiful shows using two VHS tape decks and a primitive effects
deck for doing wipes and simple video effects. And a sack full of videotapes,
half of which are her own productions (computer animation, performance art,
films) and half of which are from TV or movies or something. (The tools she
uses are just like a hot shit DJ's equipment: two turntables, a mixer, a little
effect or two, some 12"s and some custom dubplates.) Anyway, she works in
conjuction with a real DJ or a live act. And she's doing beautiful stuff
projected on multiple screens. Freestyle effects patterns and real time
intercutting.
What I saw at EBN on the Frying Pan last week was pathetic in comparison. Maybe
they did more at the Anchorage, but if it was just the one guy (with the blonde
hair) I don't see why he wouldn't have done it for me but he would for you.
Maybe he liked you more.
I sometimes suspect they are just a bunch of people who were asked to convert
their pretty interesting 80's video art into a live show and realized that they
weren't as hot shit as everyone thought they were. So they fake it to get gigs.
Virtuosity it's not.
-CF