21-08-2008
Contrastate and srmeixner material is now available to download from various websites,
including Tesco's digital download website, eMusic, Rhapsody and 7Digital
You can also listen to some Contrastate material at last.fm
09-03-2008
Out soon on Tesco Organisation:
CONTRASTATE - A live coal under the ashes (CD re-issue with bonus track)
1992 saw the release of "A live coal under the ashes"
which was inspired by the events leading up to the
changes across Eastern and Central Europe during 1989.
This release marked the change conceptually in which
the group's ideas became more specific and more
focused on contemporary political issues. "A live
coal..." was critically acclaimed not just for the
music, but also for the artwork and packaging: a CD
placed in the middle of a 12inch clear vinyl record.
After many years of unavailability, Tesco can finally
present a rerelease with remastered tracks and a new
yet unreleased track called: "Death follows the one
eyed cow". An album full of ambient atmospheres,
drones, percussion, suitable dark narrations and some
steady muted rhythms. These are intense, highly
charged recordings with a powerful mystic and ritual
feeling. A masterpiece of sound poetry. Comes in nice
Digipak. Total Playing time 50:30.
Contrastate were formed in 1987 and disbanded in 2000.
Ever since the demise of Contrastate there has been a
void in the experimental music scene that no other act
has managed to fill. Their diverse creative output,
manifested as sweeping electronics and sound
manipulation together with theatrical spoken word, was
nothing less than mind blowing in its complexity and
originality.
http://www.tesco-germany.com
19-11-2007
srmeixner is now also represented on www.myspace.com
srmeixner on myspace
11-10-2007
A new split single by srmeixner and Bain of Pain will be released soon on Black Rose Recordings:
srmeixner / Band of Pain - Texture.Montage.Sequence. / Tripping in Q. 7"single [BRV 04-1006]
Black Rose Recordings are proud to present a split single release on white vinyl, limited to 250,
with black and white artwork printed on 120 gram tracing paper from these two well known and respected projects.
This is a cinematic and inspiring musical journey which combines beautiful ambience interspersed with haunting
atmospheres with each artist creating a distinctive, yet complimentary, electro-acoustic soundscape.
Band Of Pain (Steve Pittis) has been active since 1994 releasing a number of extremely well received albums,
including 2003's classic "Que Amiga?" CD on the Cold Spring label. His critically acclaimed releases have
attracted a strong following, including Nigel Wingrove from Redemption Films who commissioned him to write
the film score for "Sacred Flesh". Sometimes compared to Lustmord and Rapoon by reviewers Band Of Pain
nevertheless follow a unique furrow, following no trends, content to release music of a consistent high quality
allowing us (the listener) to enjoy and make up our own minds.
Stephen Meixner was formerly part of the group Contrastate, who during the late 80's and 90's were one
of the UK's most innovative and challenging experimental groups. They received critical acclaim across
Europe and the USA for their album releases and rave reviews for their live, often theatrical, performances.
After three solo album releases this is his first single and one reviewer described his music as resembling
minimal modern architecture, that is a perfect aural example of the 'less-is-more' principle, not in
a sterile and solitary manner, but always in touch with the world and the human emotional spectrum.
27-11-2006
The new Contrastate CD called 'Handbags & Dada' has been released on Fin de Siecle Media.
"The now defunct influential UK project played only a few live shows during their existance,
but they put a lot of effort into making them something out of the ordinary. The third instalment
in our Contrastate series is a live CD which covers three different phases in the band's
history from 1989 to their last ever performance in 2000. Tracks previously available on vinyl
and cassette as well as one world premiere recording from Camden Palace in London."
[fin de siecle media press release]
20-8-2006
The Scott Taylor and srmeixner CD called 'Please keep clear at all times' has been released on Entr'acte
The first edition of the CD comes in a special antistatic bag and is limited to 300 copies.
"A collaborative album between Scott Taylor, whose previous releases can be found on the Sijis,
Touch, and Con-V labels, and srmeixner, once a member of the influential UK group Contrastate.
'Please keep clear at all times' consists of three tracks, combining musique concrete, field
recordings, and other source material (the piano of Kenneth Kirschner and recordings by M.A. Tolosa
on Kirschner Wind, and vocals by Jonathan Grieve on The Sound of X) into dramatic landscapes.
The latter track, composed by an additive process of file exchange, is a radical re-working of a
live srmeixner concert recording made by Scott Taylor. Aside from recording work, Scott Taylor
and srmeixner also run, respectively, the Lapilli and Black Rose recordings Labels."
[from the label press release]
Furthermore, srmeixner contributed tracks to various compilations. The Track "The church of the
absurd marches on" appeared on the Viva Negativa 4lp box set
and the track "Wild spaces" on the No Borders 5CD compilation.
5-3-2006
The UK label Entr'acte will be releasing the collaboration CD "Please Keep Clear At All Times"
by Scott Taylor and srmeixner in April or May. Please contact the label for more information.
A Contrastate live CD is currently being compiled. It will showcase three different
eras of the band: 1989, 1993 (the Karlsruhe performance) and 2000. The CD will be
released by Fin de Siecle Media around mid 2006. More information nearer the time of release.
11-11-2005
Out now on Fin de Siecle Media:
srmeixner - The Dictatorship of the Viewer CD
"From the ashes of leading experimental outfit Contrastate comes the self-named
srmeixner project. Stephen Meixner was one half of the driving force behind
Contrastate until their demise five years ago, and his latest project is a vehicle
for him and various collaborators; the line-up is ever changing, with Stephen calling
on whoever he feels is right for the music he is working on at any particular time.
Few acts working in the area of electronics/experimental music come close to
achieving the richness and diversity that srmeixner creates. Live electronics and
field recordings are utilised to create a sonic soundtrack to an apocalyptic world,
and this is the logical step on from the music that Contrastate created.
After a few singles and the 2003 debut album "Between the Lines" on the prestigious
label Dirter Promotions, we are proud to present "The Dictatorship of the Viewer" -
inspired by the 2003 Venice Biennale. The core of this track was initially composed
and structured together with Adrian Morris as a live piece which was first performed
February 2004 in London and then later extended, added to and re-worked."
Fin de Siecle Media
17-8-2005
Fin de Siecle Media will be releasing the srmeixner CD "The dictatorship of the viewer" in October 2005.
They are also organising an srmeixner concert in Stockholm for December 3rd (location not confirmed yet).
6-6-2005
Swedish label 'Fin de Siecle Media' have released two Contrastate albums:
Contrastate - seven hands seek nine fingers CD (re-issue)
This, the debut LP from Contrastate arises in a fragmental series of images,
a heavy atmosphere gradually settling into a certain path creating new formations.
Contrastate was formed in 1987 by Stephen Meixner and Jonathan Grieve. Two years
later their debut LP "Seven Hands Seek Nine Fingers" was released on their own
label Black Rose Recordings, in a limited edition of 500 copies. Since then,
Contrastate continued to gain critical acclaim and a cult following for their
challenging mixture of dark atmospheric soundscapes and surreal humour.
Tragically, the band decided to split up five years ago.
As big admirers of Contrastate's legacy, Fin de Siecle Media are very proud
to present the remastered issue of "Seven Hands Seek Nine Fingers", available
on CD for the first time. This is pretty much an essential document in the
history of experimental music, by one of the most underrated acts throughout
the years. Listen and learn!
Contrastate - False Fangs for Old Werewolves CD
1. I am a clown collecting moments (and other chocolates) [4.37]
2. Poodles in practice dress at the Battersea dogs' opera [0.32]
3. Like a saint on a stake [3.11]
4. Virophilia [7.42]
5. Circumcised by a blind rabbi [9.26]
6. Extract no.10 [5.49]
7. Through the lens of a mad eye [3.35]
8. Pierre never made it [5.21]
9. From the opened red lips [3.42]
10. In like a bull, out like a general [6.04]
11. The birth of Zarathustra [6.12]
12. My body... [6.42]
13. Locomotive shudder [4.20]
Ever since the demise of Contrastate five years ago, there has been a void
in the experimental music scene that no other act has managed to fill.
Their diverse creative output, manifestated as sweeping electronics and
sound manipulation together with theatrical spoken word, was nothing less
than mindblowing in its complexity and originality.
Fin de Siecle Media hereby does mankind a great favour by presenting a collection
of rarities, singles and previously unreleased material. Contrastate believed
that rather than trying to re-create studio material, new songs would be
specifically written to be performed live. It was also seen as a practical
matter of attempting to move on each time. And unlike other bands who contribute
rejected album material to compilations, Contrastate treated each project with
utmost respect and dedication - and a great sense of humour. For these reasons,
their music demands - and deserves - your full attention. You won't regret it.
This retrospective contains thirteen tracks recorded between 1989-1999, and among
the many rare pieces is the last ever Contrastate recording - written for the album
they were working on when they decided to go separate ways. Furthermore, you will
also find tracks from since long deleted cassettes, vinyls and CDs, and perhaps
even the Backwards Diva!
"We were dancing, and we loved it. Has anyone missed us? Oh!"
Both CD's will be available soon from: Fin de Siecle Media
8-10-2003
A new srmeixner track has just been released on the 'fdsixtyfive' compilation
that comes with the new Adverse Effect magazine.
Further tracks by srmeixner will appear on the upcoming 'evolved as one'
label compilation (Netherlands), and the upcoming 'hungry ghosts' compilation (USA).
Also srmeixner has done a remix for the upcoming 'The New Blockaders' remix 2CD project
which should be out early 2004.
9-4-2003
The srmeixner CD "Between the lines" will be released on April 11th by
the UK label Dirter Promotions, Catalogue number DPROMCD 51. The inspiration
for this release came from the ideas behind the design of Daniel Liebeskind's
Jewish museum in Berlin. Liebeskind called his project "Between the lines" and
at its foundation is its relevance and representation of the political, social
and cultural history of the Jews in Berlin. The music on this CD is not a
soundtrack to the museum or its contents. Instead, it takes its inspiration
from some of the ideas behind the original project and creates a new
"Between the lines" project. The CD will be distributed by Cargo and will
also be available from the usual mail order outlets. If you are having
difficulties obtaining this release please contact Dirter Promotions
Who is srmeixner? Basically Stephen Meixner and whoever he decides to
collaborate with on a particular track or project.
Stephen Meixner will also be appearing on the "Baggage Reclaim" show on
Resonance 104.4 FM on Sunday 13th April (15:00 - 17:00pm GMT) to talk
about the new album and his music. Full listings and info, including how
to stream the show, at www.resonancefm.com and www.bagrec.com
27-1-2003
Stephen Meixner's "srmeixner - between the lines" CD will be released by Dirter Promotions
in April 2003. The CD will contain four tracks and it will be distributed by Cargo
and will also be available from the usual sources.
Stephen will be taking about the CD and playing a few tracks
from it on Resonance FM sometime in April.
There will be a review of the new album in the April edition of Black magazine.
And there'll also be a new track on the CD compilation that accompanies the
March/April edition of Adverse Effect magazine, as well as a review of the new CD.
Stephen is also working on tracks for various other compilations.
18-9-2002
Stephen Meixner is currently working on a new album entitled 'Between the
lines'. The album takes its working title and inspiration from the ideas and
concepts behind Daniel Libeskind's Jewish Museum in Berlin. So far three
tracks have been recorded, 'Interior.Exterior.Void', 'Tragic Premonition',
and 'Silence is complicity'. It is hoped that the recordings and final mix
will be finished by the end of the year, in time for a possible release early 2003.
18-4-2000
SAD NEWS:
Contrastate have decided to end all activities.
It's members will concentrate on their own separate projects.
Jonathan Grieve will concentrate on his theatre group and will continue
writing music and collaborating with performers, artists and musicians.
Stephen Meixner will continue with his
music and production activities.
Contrastate, formed in 1987 by Jonathan Grieve and Stephen Meixner,
have been in existence for 13 years. Along the way there have
been some successes and some failures - we leave it up to
others to decide which was the greater.
For the time being the Contrastate back catalogue
(apart from those already deleted products) continues to be
available through Black Rose Recordings.
A Contrastate single "Extract no.10" has been released through
Outsider Records. We strongly advise people NOT TO BUY this single
as the label decided to go for the cheapest option by manufacturing
and pressing this with a firm that resembled a backstreet
abortion clinic. Consequently the cut and the pressing are
absolutely terrible. There are better cassette copies in existence.
As always thank you to the people who have
helped and supported us over the years.
Correspondence is still welcome.
This website will stay online, and will focus on future
projects by Stephen Meixner and Jonathan Grieve.