Pitchfork: Merzbow and Circle Tour; World Cowers in Fear

Merzbow and Circle Tour; World Cowers in Fear

Still recording at a pace that forebodes a future sequel to Merzbox, Japan's greatest gift to noise-- that would be Masami Akita, aka Merzbow, of course-- has announced a handful of dates in September, a few of which are among rather astonishing company. With the likes of Finnish experimental rockers Circle and the duo of Carlos Giffoni and Jim O'Rourke supporting, there might not be much left of the venues after these shows roll through. The short tour will also include performances by Growing, Earth, and Double Leopards. (That, tragically, is three bands, not one.) Bring earplugs:

09-02 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
09-04 Los Angeles, CA - Barnsdall Park (ArthurFest)
09-06 New York, NY - Knitting Factory #
09-07 Chicago, IL - Open End Gallery
09-08 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa

* with Circle, Earth, Growing
# with Circle, Jim O'Rourke & Carlos Giffoni, Double Leopards

As for Circle, their latest album, Forest, will see domestic release on No Quarter on September 6. And once they finish their three-date stint with Merzbow, they'll travel from New York to Baltimore, and continue on for seven more shows, culminating in an appearance at the CMJ Music Marathon. It's their first trip to America in five years, so unless one of those Scandanavian revivals comes this way again soon, this might be your last opportunity to see them for another half-decade. Circle these dates on your calendar:

09-02 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
09-04 Los Angeles, CA - ArthurFest
09-06 New York, NY - Knitting Factory #
09-07 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
09-10 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
09-11 Knoxville, TN - TBA
09-13 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
09-14 Columbus, OH - TBA
09-16 Philadelphia, PA - The Khyber $
09-17 Brooklyn, NY - The Hook (CMJ Music Marathon)

* with Merzbow, Growing, Earth
# with Merzbow, Jim O'Rourke & Carlos Giffoni, Double Leopards
$ with The Psychic Paramount