Drywall (musical project)
Encyclopedia
Drywall is a musical project of Los Angeles
singer-songwriter Stan Ridgway
, which he has variously described as an "electro/experimental noise combo," a "mad apocalyptic project," and "an experiment in terror, a collection of rants, laments and media overload."
Ridgway began the project in 1994 as a trio; with himself on electric guitar, keyboards and vocals, his wife Pietra Wexstun
on synthesizer and backing vocals, and former Rain Parade
drummer Ivan Knight. In 1995, Drywall released its first album (first of a "trilogy of apocalyptic documents"), titled Work The Dumb Oracle. The second "apocalyptic document," a 30-minute "art film" directed by Carlos Grasso titled The Drywall Incident, was released the same year. An extended, instrumental soundtrack album for The Drywall Incident was released in 1996.
After an extended layoff, Drywall regrouped with a new lineup in 2005 to release the album Barbeque Babylon, the third "apocalyptic document." The new Drywall lineup featured Ridgway, Wexstun and new member Rick King on guitars and bass. Though not an official member of the band, Bruce Zelesnik was also featured on drums and percussion.
Drywall's songs typically explore pessimistic themes such as crime, corruption, social decay, and eschatological
prophesies from visionary and satirical viewpoints; employing a wide variety of musical styles ranging from electric blues and rock to Tejano and folk.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
singer-songwriter Stan Ridgway
Stan Ridgway
Stanard 'Stan' Ridgway is an American multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, dramatic lyrical narratives, and eclectic solo albums and was the original lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo...
, which he has variously described as an "electro/experimental noise combo," a "mad apocalyptic project," and "an experiment in terror, a collection of rants, laments and media overload."
Ridgway began the project in 1994 as a trio; with himself on electric guitar, keyboards and vocals, his wife Pietra Wexstun
Pietra Wexstun
Pietra Wexstun is an electronic musician and singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She has fronted for the band Hecate's Angels since 1996, and has performed with her husband Stan Ridgway since 1986. She has contributed to all of Ridgway's solo and Drywall albums, performing backing...
on synthesizer and backing vocals, and former Rain Parade
Rain Parade
The Rain Parade was a band active in the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s.-History:The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci and David Roback in 1981, originally as The Moving Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback joined the band shortly thereafter...
drummer Ivan Knight. In 1995, Drywall released its first album (first of a "trilogy of apocalyptic documents"), titled Work The Dumb Oracle. The second "apocalyptic document," a 30-minute "art film" directed by Carlos Grasso titled The Drywall Incident, was released the same year. An extended, instrumental soundtrack album for The Drywall Incident was released in 1996.
After an extended layoff, Drywall regrouped with a new lineup in 2005 to release the album Barbeque Babylon, the third "apocalyptic document." The new Drywall lineup featured Ridgway, Wexstun and new member Rick King on guitars and bass. Though not an official member of the band, Bruce Zelesnik was also featured on drums and percussion.
Drywall's songs typically explore pessimistic themes such as crime, corruption, social decay, and eschatological
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
prophesies from visionary and satirical viewpoints; employing a wide variety of musical styles ranging from electric blues and rock to Tejano and folk.
Work the Dumb Oracle (IRS, 1995)
- 1. Back Towards Diamond Bar
- 2. Police Call
- 3. New Blue Mercedes
- 4. Bel Air Blues
- 5. Hell In A Handbasket
- 6. Highway Song
- 7. Mr. Smith
- 8. Time Wave Zero
- 9. Old Bent Coin
- 10. My Exclusive Sex Club
- 11. Triangle Head
- 12. Big American Problem
The Drywall Incident Soundtrack (Geffen, 1996)
- 1. Blue Fog
- 2. Confusion at the Alibi Room
- 3. Violence and Murder
- 4. Drywall Incident
- 5. Flight to Earth
- 6. Riot in Dogtown
- 7. Wexston Burns the Money
- 8. Downtown Doorbell
- 9. Ivan's Walk for Food
- 10. Ridgway Trouble
- 11. Bring Me the Head of Jackie Lazar
- 12. Pinkerton Weeps for Dummy
- 13. SR Talks Gun Control
- 14. Questions, Then?
- 15. Drywall Is God
- 16. Visitors Are Here
- 17. Pencil for Jacob
- 18. Grasso Gets Fired
- 19. Drywall Incident Demo
The Drywall Project/The Drywall Incident (TWA, 1996)
Same content as Work the Dumb Oracle and The Drywall Incident SoundtrackBarbeque Babylon
(redFLY, 2005)- 1. Goin' On Down To The BBQ
- 2. Fortune Cookies
- 3. Somewhere In The Dark
- 4. Abandon Ship
- 5. Buried The Pope
- 6. In Total Focus
- 7. The AARP Is After Me
- 8. That Big Weird Thing
- 9. Robbers & Bandits & Bastards & Thieves
- 10. Rain On Down
- 11. The Alibi Room
- 12. Wargasm
- 13. Bold Marauder
- 14. Land Of Spook
- 15. Something's Gonna Blow
- 16. BushwhackedBushwhacked MP3The "Bushwhacked" MP3 files are satirical speeches created from parts of United States president George W. Bush's orations. The recordings were created by UK comedian Chris Morris, who has used similar techniques in the past, most notably in his edited version of the eulogy at the funeral of Diana,...