ARTS The Michigan Daily Thursday, February 23, 1989 Page 7 Kronos kick out the Brahms BY MICHAEL PAUL FISCHER A hot avant-garde combo, on the road in sup- port of a new album blazing up the charts, takes to the stage wearing spiked haircuts, psychedelic costumes, and sunglasses. Cranking out a set of brand-new tunes, the San Francisco-based outfit employ a colorful light show and stage props in their effort answer the unprecedented expectations generated by a recent three-page write-up in Rolling Stone. Ultimately, the group encores by kicking out a version of Hendrix's "Purple Haze" - or perhaps a James Brown medley, articulated by a eight-foot robot. This is one string quartet which simply kicks ass. Yes; I said a string quartet. Abandon all of your preconceptions (and formal attire). The world's most unusual string quartet is alto - according to composers and critics alike - the world'sfinest . "A great work of art is a very dangerous thing," says violinist/spokesman David Harring- ton; and his group, the Kronos Quartet, are now emerging as no less than the Sex Pistols of the broad genre we classify through the misnomer "classical music"- while paradoxically exercis- ing their iconoclastic revival in one of the genre's more customarily staid formats. Kronos was a god in Greek myth who cas- trated his father and then later devoured his own children. The title suggests not only this ensem- ble's rebellious stance - "I don't really want to be involved with the excess cultural baggage that generally goes with serious art music in our so- ciety," Harrington says - but also the sense of a chronology. Stripping off the surface preten- sions of their genre to ignite the basic thrill of musical adventure, Kronos' shocking ascent to world prominence and popularity (their records sell 15 times the average for ensemble record- ings) is leading classical styles into the future of world music. Levelling all barriers, Kronos will play any- thing - ranging from works by composers like early 20th century atonalist Anton Webern to jazzman Ornette Coleman or John Lurie of pop group The Lounge Lizards - anything, that is, as long as it was not written before this century. For to answer the public's demand for a lovely Haydn quartet would be to entertain through comforting the listener with the familiar. The dangerousness of which Harrington eagerly speaks is the adventure of the unexpected. Even the learned will have never before heard at least two of the four pieces scheduled for tonight's Michigan Theatre performance with British vocal quartet Electric Phoenix: William Brooks' De Harmonium, a meditation on order adapted from the "fictive music" of poet Wallace Stevens, and John Zorn's Cat 0' Nine-Tails, a work inspired by cartoon soundtracks. Kronos' appetite for the new has led the group to premiere an unprecedented 400 quartets in the ten years since the current line-up solidified (violinists John Sherba and Harrington, violist Hank Dutt, and cellist Joan Jeanrenaud). Further, Kronos uses grants to commission new works, some- times collaborating with the composers. While Electric Phoenix, without any domestic recordings of their own, are relatively unknown, radio programs of their concerts demonstrate an artistic vision and technical virtuosity that are equally astounding. Employing backing tapes and electronics, vocalists Daryl Runswick, Judith Rees, Meriel Dickinson, and Terry Edwards, and sound engineer John Whiting are to the vocal quartet what Kronos are to strings - champions of innovative new composers seeking to incorporate world motifs and methods, using their instruments along with new technology to conjure breathtaking sonic pictures. Here I am, a musical illiterate, getting all psyched up for a string ensemble gig! And no matter what you already enjoy, this kind of vi- sionary genius, the technical brilliance and daring gestures, - the thrill of great art - will blow you away. And especially if you don't know what the hell's going on. KRONOS QUARTET and ELECTRIC PHOENIX will perform at the Michigan Theater at 7:57 pm. tonight. Tickets are $16.50, $7.50 with student I.D. DJ Simonian mixes it up here, on road BY ROLLIE HUDSON LOCAL radio/club DJ Tom Simo- nian - of Reggae Night, New Mu- sic fame - seems to have not only persistence and hard work on his side, but luck as well. He began do- ing both his radio and club DJ shows almost by serendipity - a college music director at Couzens Hall suggested that he do a show at WCBN in 1976, and later he came upon a U-Club vacancy. Simonian graduated the Univer- sity in the late '70s with a ra- dio/television degree, but says that most of his learning took place out- side the classroom. By the mid-'80s, his learning developed into a multi- media repertoire of four radio shows at WEMU and WCBN, weekend dance nights at the U-Club, and a co- music directorship at WCBN. Simonian, who cites the Beatles and Mott the Hoople as several of his early musical idols, agreed to share his thoughts on the business over coffee. He showed a trace of shyness behind his black coat and dark curly hair as he painted a por- trait of his life as an avant guardian. He spoke in a reflective voice - as if were working something out. D: Can you speak some on your career as a DJ? S: Sure. Being a DJ is many things. I'm always interested in new things, new ideas. I want to get into GOING PLACES BA 1k BREADS " CAKES " PIES " PASTRIES THE SECRET IS OUT! The Best Kept Secret On State Street Is Now Open! Basil's features Danish, Croissants, Muffins, Breads, Pastries, and More. All made from scratch. Baked fresh daily. BASIL'S BAKERY Buy any two breakfast items and get one free. j I expires 3/11/89 211 State St. in the Park Ave. Deli 662-3373 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-7:00 Sat 9:30-5:00 _ J production and even touring. I'm scheduled to party in New York at The World and after that I'm off to England. In Detroit I've DJ'd at the Music Institute, which - not meaning to toot my own horn - the British magazine Faces continu- ally refers to as "one of the top 50 clubs in the world." D: Besides reggae, what type of music might you play while you are there? S: I'm not sure exactly, but... over at CBN I'm doing a free form show called Dancing in Your Head. It features avant-garde jazz, but has more of a World Music mix and even moves into experimental terri- tory such as William H. Burrows running sine waves through pieces of paper and other such things. Third World Dance Party, another show of mine, has music from the Caribbean and Africa mostly. There are so many different kinds of African music, so many different cultures. Ironically, there is probably the most American sound in South Africa. It might have something to do with all of the jazz acts which toured there in the early part of this century. From time to time I add some blues, hip-hop, or raga-muffin' to the mix. I also started doing a show at EMU called New Directions which was an avant-garde jazz show. In '84 I started New Music Night from my "punk" interests. The Sex GOING PLACES ORIENT SUPERFARES SAVE 30%+ Bangkok ft. $859, Min ft $1149, Hong Kongfr. 759,Seoul ft. 3729, Shanghai fr. $109) Tai fr. $751 Tokyo fr. $782. RE- GENGY TRVEL 2t S.State. Call 665- 6122, ask for Joanne. $99 ANYWHERE IN THE USA ON NORTHWEST AIRLINES! Bring your American Express voucher. Call Regency Travel, 665-6122, ask for.Ann, Dawn, or Deb. SOUTH PADRE beach front condo-SPRING BREAK. Bar, tennis, 1-800-527-7324 or 214-691.3493. SPRING BREAK! Log cabin retreat. Fully equipped, sleeps 2-4:.Outdoor hot tub, skiing, snowshoe options. $38-58 per nighra mid-week rates cheaper! 10 mm. from Tra- verse City. 616-276-502. StudentTravel Breaks at Stamos' Kerry Town * 407 North Fifth 663-4400 483-5040 BUSINESS SERVICES 1000 Cranes' four members try to adapt to each others's sounds in their slightly more "serious" music. 1000 Cranes strive- for unique sound BY FORREST GREEN 1000 Cranes, past, present, and future: In the spring of 1986, a band called Caf6 Society formed in Detroit, their intent being to create a unique music form - even though they are influenced by English music, and reminiscent of Simple Minds. The band was forced to change its name to 1000 Cranes last January because of another group called Cafd Society, based in New York. The band's first major performance was at Rick's American Caf6, in the sum- mer of their first year, but they have gradually become a favorite at St. Andrew's Hall, and have opened for acts such as Marshall Crenshaw and the Bolshoi. They have also done benefits for AIDS and the homeless. 1000 Cranes attempts to be a band in the truest sense of the word, with equal input from all four members. Each musician writes his own part, with the intent to adapt each others' personalities to each other, creating a unique music form. Their sound is geared to a large audience, but they identify it as a "little more serious" than their contemporaries'. In this sense, they succeed. Despite the driving pulse formed by drum- mer Tom Jachman and bassist David Jachman, their overall sound is mesmerizing. Songs like "Waiting" and "While the City Sleeps" allow you to lose yourself in the music; that's just how engaging it is. 1000 CRANES will perform at the U-Club tonight at 10 p.m. Admis- sion is $3 and the show is sponsored by UACISoundstage. Are you interested in PROMOTIONS or MARKETING? The Michigan Ensian Yearbook is looking for an energetic and creative person to head a new promotional campaign. This po- sition offers the opportunity to organize and implement your own ideas. Great Experience if you want to enter the field. Paid Position. For more information and to pick up an application stop by The Michigan Ensian: 420 Maynard Street. All applica- tions must be in by February 24,1989. ENIA N- 3 t - JESSICA GREENE/Daily Disc jockey Tom Simonian is now known locally for DJing at dance clubs, but here he relaxes where it all started for him - at WCBN, where he still works. Pistols, The Clash, or whatever else to over and over again. But it is not I was really into would get played; progressing. It developed some with there was also hip-hop and other rock-and-roll in the '60s but hasn't early rap like old Africa Bambatta much since. A music type doesn't and Planet Rock. However, the necessarily have to change but I whole punk scene has now lost think it is important. The world much of its appeal for me. I feel like moves and continues to go on moving on. Some people might say around us. Music should reflect that. that I've sold out but that's not re- D: Has reggae music continued to ally it. I still love the music, but the focus is gone. There isn't really much happening with "punk" these days. It's just more of the same. D: What constitutes "musical de- velopment" as you see it? S: I think music has to change in order to progress. For example, the blues is a fantastic music, I think, it is a great formula that you can listen develop? S: I think reggae is keeping up pretty well. There are goof-ups, as there will be, with some artists try- ing to get too commercial, but over all it's doing well. Some of the roots music, for example, like Burning Spear and Marley, which See DJ, Page 8 ED U CATION CAREER CONFERENCE m - Cornerstone CHRIuSTIAN\ FELLOWSHIP (an interdenominational campus fellowship) Students Dedicated to Knowing and Communicating Jesus Christ Weekly Meetings: Thursdays : 7:00 pm 439 Mason Hall John Neff - 747-8831 '1 -PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS Conference Resume Book (February 13 - March 6) Pre-Conference workshops Mock interview opportunities Resume & interview workshops For information: Career Planning & Placement (764-7460) APRIL 14, 1989 10:00 - 3:00 MICHIGAN UNION EG--- 'I LOVE SALES BUT HATE COMMISSION ONLY? Here's a chance to take a crack at sales & get pd. a salary to do it. Work for reputable co. with high integrity. On campus pt-time posi- tion. 665-6063. 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