Philip Best
Encyclopedia
Philip Best is a pioneer of power electronics
who formed the band Consumer Electronics in 1982 at the age of 14. He joined the group Whitehouse
, led by William Bennett, in 1983. After a nine-year hiatus starting in 1984, Best rejoined and remained with the group until departing again in 2008.
In the early 1980s Best also ran his own DIY label Iphar, releasing compilations of power electronics. Through the circulation of these controversial cassettes he succeeded in promoting the burgeoning extreme noise genre.
Best has been a frequent collaborator with Gary Mundy on projects like Male Rape Group (1982–1983) and Ramleh (c.1987-1997).
In 1995, under the Consumer Electronics moniker, Best joined forces with Japanese noise musician Masami Akita
- along with several Ramleh cohorts - to release "Horn of the Goat."
Best continues to tour as Consumer Electronics and has recently released two albums (Nobody's Ugly in 2007 and Crowd Pleaser in 2009) under that moniker. He is currently working on a new album.
In 1998 Best published his doctoral thesis at Durham University
entitled "Apocalypticism in the Fiction of William S. Burroughs
, J.G. Ballard and Thomas Pynchon
" and later received a doctorate in English literature.
In 2010 a collection of Best's artwork entitled American Campgrounds was published by Creation Books
with a foreword written by Peter Sotos
.
Power electronics (music)
Power electronics was originally coined by William Bennett as part of the sleevenotes to the Whitehouse album Psychopathia Sexualis, and is related to the early industrial records scene but later became more identified with noise music...
who formed the band Consumer Electronics in 1982 at the age of 14. He joined the group Whitehouse
Whitehouse (band)
Whitehouse are a pioneering English power electronics band formed in 1980, largely credited for the founding of the power electronics subgenre.-History and personnel:...
, led by William Bennett, in 1983. After a nine-year hiatus starting in 1984, Best rejoined and remained with the group until departing again in 2008.
In the early 1980s Best also ran his own DIY label Iphar, releasing compilations of power electronics. Through the circulation of these controversial cassettes he succeeded in promoting the burgeoning extreme noise genre.
Best has been a frequent collaborator with Gary Mundy on projects like Male Rape Group (1982–1983) and Ramleh (c.1987-1997).
In 1995, under the Consumer Electronics moniker, Best joined forces with Japanese noise musician Masami Akita
Merzbow
is the main recording name of the Japanese noise musician , born in 1956. Since 1979 he has released in excess of 350 recordings.The name "Merzbow" comes from German artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork, "Merzbau”. This was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic...
- along with several Ramleh cohorts - to release "Horn of the Goat."
Best continues to tour as Consumer Electronics and has recently released two albums (Nobody's Ugly in 2007 and Crowd Pleaser in 2009) under that moniker. He is currently working on a new album.
In 1998 Best published his doctoral thesis at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
entitled "Apocalypticism in the Fiction of William S. Burroughs
William S. Burroughs
William Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, poet, essayist and spoken word performer. A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th...
, J.G. Ballard and Thomas Pynchon
Thomas Pynchon
Thomas Ruggles Pynchon, Jr. is an American novelist. For his most praised novel, Gravity's Rainbow, Pynchon received the National Book Award, and is regularly cited as a contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature...
" and later received a doctorate in English literature.
In 2010 a collection of Best's artwork entitled American Campgrounds was published by Creation Books
Creation Books
Creation Books is a British publishing house specializing in experimental literature, surrealism, erotic and decadent literature. Creation also publish non-fiction, with books on magic, subcultures, and taboo topics such as suicide and serial killers. They are best known for publishing a number of...
with a foreword written by Peter Sotos
Peter Sotos
Peter Sotos is a Chicago-born writer and musician. In his books, Sotos examines sadistic sexual criminals and sexually violent pornography, particularly involving children. His writings are interpreted by some as commenting on media hypocrisy around these issues...
.