On this day, 5 years ago, Genesis P. Orridge passed away at the age of 70...
On this day, 5 years ago Genesis P-Orridge (1950–2020) – Artist, Musician, and Cultural Provocateur passed away in New York City after being diagnosed with Chronic Leukemia in 2017.
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (born Neil Andrew Megson on February 22, 1950) was a groundbreaking English artist, musician, writer, and occultist. As a pioneering figure in industrial and avant-garde music, P-Orridge left an indelible mark on experimental sound and transgressive art.
P-Orridge first gained recognition in the late 1960s as a member of the performance art collective COUM Transmissions, which pushed boundaries of social and artistic norms. COUM's provocative work led to the formation of Throbbing Gristle in 1975, a band widely credited with founding the industrial music genre. With its aggressive soundscapes, confrontational themes, and radical anti-establishment stance, Throbbing Gristle influenced countless artists in electronic, noise, and experimental music.
Following Throbbing Gristle’s initial disbandment in 1981, P-Orridge formed Psychic TV, a multimedia project blending psychedelic, electronic, and industrial elements. Psychic TV became a central figure in the "acid house" movement and released an extensive discography, often exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and esoteric spirituality. Alongside the musical work, P-Orridge co-founded Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY), a countercultural network focused on magick and personal transformation.
In the 1990s and 2000s, P-Orridge embarked on the "Pandrogeny Project" with longtime partner Lady Jaye Breyer, aiming to dissolve traditional gender binaries by undergoing body modification and exploring new identities. This deeply personal and artistic endeavor positioned P-Orridge as an early advocate for gender fluidity and nonbinary identity, inspiring contemporary discussions on identity politics and self-expression.
Despite facing controversy, censorship, and exile from the UK in the early 1990s, P-Orridge continued to create, perform, and challenge societal norms until the end of their life. Their influence extended beyond music into performance art, literature, and gender discourse.
Genesis P-Orridge passed away on March 14, 2020, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of artistic defiance, cultural revolution, and fearless self-reinvention. Their impact continues to resonate with artists, musicians, and free thinkers worldwide.
On this day, 45 years ago, Fad Gadget released his second single 'Ricky's Hand’!
On this day, 45 years ago, Fad Gadget released the non-album 7” single ‘Ricky's Hand’ (14 March 1980). It was recorded at the Blackwing Studios, London, on 19 January 1980 and became the second Fad Gadget single, following the debut Back to Nature 7” the previous year.
The track was originally not included on any studio album and predating a debut LP ‘Fireside Favorites’ by several months, but does appear on several later released compilations. Mute Records founder Daniel Miller collaborated on the writing, playing and production.
The song was a sardonic cautionary tale on the perils of drink driving: "From the pocket it pulled five pound / Ricky bought another round… Ricky contravened the highway code / The hand lies severed at the side of the road".
The music was in a predominantly industrial style with an insistent electronic beat. An electric drill was also listed among the instruments; it can be heard on the recording punctuating each mention of the song's title.
The B-side, ‘Handshake’, was an instrumental that essentially mixed up the sounds used on the A-side.
Ricky's Hand 7"
A Ricky's Hand 4:06
B Handshake 4:47
Below you can watch some unique footage of Fad Gadget performing Ricky’s Hand at the renowned Hacienda FACT51 club, Manchester, England, 1984 and a live version performed on his 2001 come-back tour.
Sadly an unique video document on which Fad Gadget can be seen singing Ricky's Hand, with his two live musicians at the time, Phil Wauquaire and Jean-Marc Lederman (The Weathermen), on the Belgian RTBF show Cargo De Nuit in 1980 has recently been removed from YouTube.
Instead we discovered another nice document of Ministry covering Ricky’s Hand back in 1984!
Enjoy!
Today, 41 years ago, Depeche Mode performed People Are People on German TV.
On 14 March 1984 the English synth pop band Depeche Mode presented their brand new single ‘People Are People’ which was only released two days before (12 March 1984) on the German Top-pop TV show Flashlights.
Six weeks later the single reached the first place in the German single charts and stayed on this number one position for 3 weeks. In West Germany, it was used as the theme to West German TV's coverage of the 1984 Olympics, alluding to East Germany's participation in the Soviet-led boycott of the games.
The single was taken from the album ‘Some Great Reward’ which made it to the 3rd position in the German pop album charts. The album also became gold record with over 150,000 copies sold.
It also became their first hit-single in the US where the single would eventually peak at no. 13. In the UK, the single reached number 4, which was at the time the band's highest singles chart position in their homeland.
In 2011 the song was included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll"
People are People (Lyrics)
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
So we're different colours
And we're different creeds
And different people have different needs
It's obvious you hate me
Though I've done nothing wrong
I never even met you
So what could I have done
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
Help me understand
Now you're punching and you're kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far it hasn't surfaced
But I'm sure it exists
It just takes a while to travel
From your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
Songwriter: Martin Gore
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
18 years ago, on March 13, 2007, Nine Inch Nails released their single “Survivalism", as the lead track from their fifth studio album, Year Zero. Written and produced by Trent Reznor, the song blends industrial rock, electronic, and alternative influences, delivering a politically charged and aggressive sound.
Lyrically, "Survivalism" reflects the dystopian themes of Year Zero, painting a bleak vision of a future controlled by surveillance, government oppression, and societal decay. The lyrics, filled with paranoia and resistance, align with the album's overarching concept—a world spiraling toward authoritarianism. Reznor's harsh vocals and distorted guitar riffs create a tense and urgent atmosphere, reinforcing the song's themes of defiance and survival in a hostile world.
Musically, "Survivalism" features pulsating synths, grinding basslines, and pounding percussion, creating a relentless, high-energy industrial sound. The track's dynamic structure, with its explosive chorus and rhythmic verses, captures the intensity and chaos of the dystopian setting portrayed throughout Year Zero.
Upon release, "Survivalism" received critical acclaim for its raw power and social commentary. It topped the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, demonstrating NIN’s continued relevance in the rock and alternative music scenes. The song’s accompanying music video, directed by Reznor and Rob Sheridan, visually reinforced its themes, showing a society under constant surveillance, with hidden cameras capturing disturbing glimpses of rebellion and control.
"Survivalism" remains a defining track in NIN’s discography, showcasing Reznor’s ability to merge intense industrial rock with thought-provoking themes. Its aggressive sound, politically charged lyrics, and compelling visuals make it one of the standout moments of Year Zero, solidifying Nine Inch Nails as one of the most influential forces in alternative and industrial music.
Besides some CD single variations ‘Survivalisme’ was also released as a limited 9” vinyl.
Russian "occult wave" duo, RAVEN SAID has just unveiled “Desolation”; their long-awaited second single from the forthcoming RAVEN SAID album.
"Desolation" is a mesmerizing track that merges elements of goth rock and dark synth, creating a fusion of sensual and expressive energy. The guitar parts and synth harmonies create a mystical atmosphere that has an infinitely changing effect. The song presents listeners with an illusory journey through reality. Each step in the song is like a dance, leading to deeper and deeper realizations about the self. The lyrics speak of secrets that lie beyond the limits of our understanding. Is it possible to reassemble the contours of oneself from the fragments?
RAVEN SAID has been working for over ten years, creating an endless book of shadows that explores both inner and outer world views. The forthcoming album and its songs are a reflection of that journey, and "Desolation" is just the beginning.
"Desolation" is available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Bandcamp NOW!
