James (bass, drums, samples)
Al (drums, trumpet, mellow-phone)
Paul (guitar)
Keelin (saxophone, vocals, drums)
Influences
Repetition, repetition, swelling sounds, dub, bass, rhythm & sound, minimalism, loud amplifiers, repetition, scattered notes, keys, the free exchange of ideas outside of the capitalist modes of production, making guitars sound like synthesizers, horns, rhythm, bass, melody, repetition
Sounds Like
Another part of the universal music consciousness program initiated by John Coltrane when he started intuiting jams like "India".
No-wave outfit Scalpels are one of the best-kept secrets of the underground. Like no-wavers Shoplifting and Coughs (fellow Chicagoans whom they've joined onstage), Scalpels play with an appealing rawness. Their hazy hooks, wailing saxes, and crashing rhythms add up to a gleefully disjointed sound.
– Stephen Gossett
Chicago's Scalpels have described themselves as “inept no-wave,” but
there's nothing inept going on here. Rather, it's a delightful swim in
a sea of off-kilter art-rock...
-Time Out Chicago
Scalpels played with these bands: Black Eyes, Et At It, Q and not U, Japanther, Navies, Ten-Ton, Coughs, Dakota Dakota, Mindflayer, My Name is Rar Rar, Dead Batteries, The Faux (R.I.P.), White Flight, Touhy, Too Many Amps, Miracles, Aloha, Turn Pale, Tale of Genji, Total Recall, Bird Names, Secret Mirror, Shopping, Genders, the Wives, Ghostman & Sandman, Video Hippos, Double Dagger, Black Bear, Raccoo-oo-oon (and relevant side projects), Chinese Stars, Princess, Plug-in Reindeer, Sick Tribal, The Lords, the Chandaliers, Michael Colombia, Toby Driver, Lee Marvin Computer Arm, Earthen Sea, the Punks, Shoplifting, Water Babies, Mass Shivers, Folk & Violence, Sseepage, Major Stars, Horns of Happiness, Static Films, Magas, the Flying Luttenbachers, Doses, Beau Wanzer, Tirra Lirra, the Cassettes, Wzt Hearts, Lexie Mountain Band, Lazer Crystal, Killer Whales, Pit er Pat, Food For Animals, Mi Ami, Viki.
They had several cassette and CD-R releases; all of them are out of print. They enjoyed beer & long drives at the beach. They are no more.
Pillars & Tongues w / David Daniell and Qlaud (Kevin Davis / Toby Summerfield Duo)
@ the Hideout THIS Thursday, March 27th, 9pm
This evening celebrates the release of Pillars & Tongues' "Sacred Architecture" on the Lotus Sound label. The CD is still forthcoming from the Lotus Sound, but will be available for purchase at the Hideout on Thursday.
