Liquid Idiot/idiot Orchestra
Liquid Idiot/idiot Orchestra
Prior to forming Liquid Liquid in 1981, the band members were in two other groups: Liquid Idiot and Idiot Orchestra. While these ensembles sounded more experimental than groove-oriented, the beginnings of Liquid Liquids spatial / conceptual framework can be heard here. Liquid Idiot started at Rutgers University in the late 70s and soon relocated to NYC where they performed at various lofts and clubs including Tier 3, Mudd Club and CBGB. The band even encouraged audience members to bring their own instruments to their early shows. Idiot Orchestra was an offshoot that included a dozen or more players (clarinet, sax, trumpet, violin, cello, synth, bass, marimba and drums) resembling a no wave version of Raymond Scotts big band. As musician and artist Richard McGuire recalls, "We werent trying to sound like anyone. We werent imitating anyone. We were just playing. I keep using outsider art as a reference to what we were doing. None of it was made for a market; it wasnt made with any intention other than the enjoyment of making it." This split archival LP collects two rare 7-inches from 1978 and 1980, both of which were originally pressed in hyper-limited editions and self-released by the bands. The package also features a fanzine of ephemera, rare photos and new interview with McGuire..