Silver Apples July 28, Empty Bottle
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Really, one should be skeptical of anything that comes recommended as a revolution, a radical break with history, and sure enough, the supposedly humble DJs and remix wizards of electronica have begun to succumb to some age-old impulses, mugging for magazine covers and writing manifestos. Maybe most tellingly, the psychedelic/experimental types (read: the ones that don’t dance) have recently started construction on a creation myth. And like the scholarly punks of a generation before, who transformed the Velvet Underground from cult band to household name, they’ve unearthed an underdog, zeroed in on an image of noble failure, rescued from obscurity yet more beautiful losers.
Simeon had spent 25 years painting and working odd jobs when he encountered a young fan (and imitator), Xian Hawkins, at an experimental arts festival in New York. Hawkins introduced him to the second-wave Silver Apples cult, and–living every fan’s fantasy–was probably the driving force behind Simeon’s renewed interest in making music. Hawkins and young drummer Michael Lerner now round out the lineup, and inasmuch as he’s expressive at all behind his own bank of keyboards, Hawkins lets the occasional grin of fanboy glee flash across his face.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo by Marty Perez.
