Reddit reviews Wreckers of Civilisation: The Story of Coum Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle

Wreckers of civilization - a very in depth book about Throbbing Gristle and COUM Transmissions (Up until their first breakup, if I'm not mistaken)


RE/Search #4/5: W.S. Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Throbbing Gristle - should still be in print


RE/Search #6/7: Industrial Culture Handbook - Eternal classic that some important musicians used as a starting point. Mostly very rare and out of print, but RE/Search had it in some bundle for around $100 recently..

"Industrial" music started here

http://www.discogs.com/label/Industrial+Records

The slogan "Industrial music for Industrial people", coined by the lovely Monte Cazazza, was where the actual term "Industrial music" comes from.

Largely it was a synthesis of medium and message; through a combination of sound and presentation TG looked to communicate thoughts, feelings and criticisms of modern (between 1975-1981) life. It was NOT about noise for noise sake. It was experimental. Listen to 20 Jazz Funk Greats, listen to D.O.A; these are not super noisy records but they are Industrial.

This is great reading for more of the story http://www.amazon.com/Wreckers-Civilisation-Transmissions-Throbbing-Gristle/dp/1901033600/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347582593&sr=1-1&keywords=wreckers+of+civilization

As far as bands that embody that synthesis of form and message, making more a collage project than just a "band" (and that don't involve directly members of TG) , I can think of a few off the top of my head: Prurient,Death Grips, Grouper, Msott (maybe). And actually...although I'm not a fan...I have to hand it to Amanda Palmer for putting her money where he mouth is and making the form and concept of her music mesh in a way not dissimilar from how TG employed fans to create zine's and fans clubs.

In short, to me, Industrial Music represents a holistic view of artwork involving the process, presentation and final output in a raw and honestly emotional or intellectual way.