From Syne #5, 1982
[Syne was the fanzine published by the IEMA (International Electronic
Music Association)]:
The Nightcrawlers: A Profile
by James E. Finch
When one hears the word "NIGHTCRAWLERS," one is reminded of worms,
bugs, and other long-legged beasties lurking about in the pitch. It
sounds like a good name for another electropop outfit, but this inventive
duo is anything but "pop." They have released NINE recordings to date,
though the brothers Peter and Tom Gulch have been playing together for
only a couple years. The style ranges from soundscaping to neo-Berlin
school type cosmic music in the improvisational vein.
Between them presently is nearly fifty pieces of electroinic
hardware, including the latest in digital technology. They play a
unique, strictly live electronic music marked by computer percussion and
sequencers set behind eerie melodies and sound effects that recall Klaus
Schulze in the late '70's. But these days, they have gone beyond the
Berlin school idiom made popular by Schulze and Tangerine Dream. They
perform their own brand of what may soon be called JERSEY SPACE.
IEMA veterans are aware that the bulk of electronic music activity
seems to emanate from the New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Manhattan areas.
The NIGHTCRAWLERS seem to be the culmination of American's cosmic rock
experiment in the '80's. Their musical structure is relatively simple in
context, but complex in orchestration. Layers of sound, catchy rhythms,
and Schulzian keyboard noodlings are ever present. While Peter handles
rhythms, effects, and background strings, Tom expresses the
improvisational melody. With the occasional addition of Crumar
keyboardist Dave Lunt, the NIGHTCRAWLERS paint thick sound sculptures
that almost always take their audiences to the OUTER LIMITS, even in the
middle of broad daylight, as witnessed at the recent IEMA Congress this
past July.
All of their music is spontaneous and recorded in real time. The
brothers blend well and never seem to compete with each other in musical
expression -- which often leads to splits with similar outfits in this
genre. If Dave Lunt becomes a fixture in this new group, the
NIGHTCRAWLERS and their tight progressive sound may go on to better
things -- this writer would like to see them on an LP. Live electronic
music allows the listener to really become involved and enveloped with
the performance, and the ever changing textures provide fresh experiences
as one listens. There's a peculiar "atmosphere" that can be felt from a
live recording, which is why such recordings sell well on the white
market. The NIGHTCRAWLERS epitomize today's cosmic music revolution and
they prove that New Wave does not have full control over electronic
music's directions in the '80's.
This page first constructed by Steven Feldman
<scfeldman@juno.com>
4/18/00. Last update: 10/17/01.
