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Description of No Wave

 
No Wave was a modest but influential movement stemming from New York Post-Punk in the late 1970s. Nicknamed "No Wave" for creating an alternative to the New Wave club scene, bands played shows in artists' lofts instead of clubs like CBGB's. DNA's Arto Lindsay used his guitar as a percussive instrument, never forming a chord, while Glenn Branca and Sonic Youth tuned their guitars differently for each song. The No Wave movement lacked the politics and aggression of Punk, yet had undeniable credibility in the art world. In 1978, Brian Eno produced a compilation entitled No New York with the bands DNA, Mars, the Contortions and Lydia Lunch's Teenage Jesus & the Jerks. When the sound was taken out of its art space context, the small, insular movement more or less ended. However, many of the artists associated with No Wave are currently recording music for a much broader audience.
 

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No Wave Key Artists

 
DNA

Mars

Mars were part of a group of
late '70s New York "No
Wave" bands who sought to
deconstruct all notions of
traditional rock. Even the...

Rhys Chatham

NYC's Rhys Chatham is
known for his
post-minimalist electronic
style. He's been writing
music since the '70s.

The Scene Is Now

New York post-punk band
the Scene is Now debuted
with the wistful compilation
track "Finding Someone" in
1982. Tony Maimone of Pe...

Electronics

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