ANTS RECORDS

LIVEBATTS! is the result of the eclectic approach to music

and sound of John White, the experimental composer better

known for his early work with Cornelius Cardew and the

Scratch Orchestra and for his formidable output of piano

sonatas (now counting almost to 200).

Everything started out from his passion for those cheap

battery driven keyboards which appeared on the market of

musical instruments in the 80s. Much more similar to toys

than to proper instruments, these did interested so much Mr.

White that he decided to create a group playfully dedicated

to a kind of new music specifically made for them.

In this recording, which happened sometimes in the mid

nineties, we find what would become the LIVEBATTS!

consolidated line up (came after the first incarnation formed

by White and another experimental music champion as

Christopher Hobbs): John White on battery driven keyboards

and toys, MJ Coldiron on vocals, mostly spoken, and extra

keyboard parts, and Andrea Rocca on electric guitar and

samples.

Their often playful pieces reflect John White’s interest in

systems-based music and his love for the pioneers of

electronic pop such as Kraftwerk, MJ Coldiron’s grounding in

theatre and anthropology and Andrea Rocca’s background in

plunderphonics and noise rock.

It can be difficult to describe the mix of styles and

approaches that distinguishes these pieces, but, if you search

well, here you can find: pillars of Composition, bones of

Experimentation, tons of low budget Sound Effects, beams of

System Music, coats of Improvisation, pages of Pataphysics

and... massive doses of Humor.

We are sure you will enjoy it!!!

track list

1) Harold In Salt Lake City 7:52

2) Adventures In Outer Space 4:55

3) Waldesrauschen 9:30

4) Groovin' Batts 7:21

5) Dinosaur Helpine 6:33

6) Goldfish Chatline 4:19

7) PT-30 Cross-Talk 14:11

released 30/05/2018