DNA

DNA was a great no wave band that is partially responsible, along with various forms of punk (proto, post, etc.), for the recent emergence from new york of groups like liars, radio 4 and the rapture. they respresented a wilfully awkward, energetic, form of punk rock that left an empty field of potential where modern conventional, scruffy boy, third rate rock and roll (green day, strokes, etc) should attempt to inhabit. DNA invented an entirely new type of rock music based around rhythms and manipulations, the four DNA tracks on the brian eno produced compilation “no new york” had so many differing ideas about tone, rhythm and sound yet still provided an air of accessibility. this was freeform that still remembered that it had an audience, and therefore sought out maximum impact. DNA's only studio release (a taste of DNA ep) was in 1980. clocking in at 6 tracks and barely 10 minutes, DNA did to rock music what free jazz had done to the jazz world. they signaled in a new year zero, with such a powerful sound, that was so far removed from what anyone else was doing, that to last longer than ten minutes would have been unnecessary; and damn nearly impossible. for all of their clashing tones, atonal squawking and sound manipulations, however, DNA were not expressing any real nihilism. whereas teenage jesus and the jerks had used noise as a sublimation of the ego and the self, and sought to destroy through noise, DNA were using noise as a form of childlike freedom. no less aggressive and direct, just a different approach. no wave used instruments not as instruments, but as tools and conduits for emotional release and expression.