Torturing Nurse - Extreme Harsh Nihilistic Noise!
Extreme Harsh Nihilistic Noise!
That's what you get from China's Shanghai-based Torturing Nurse. When I started contacting some artists to be interviewed in The EFX-Files, Torturing Nurse was the first to respond and answered the interview questions quickly. Torturing Nurse has released hundreds of albums, splits and compilation appearances. I believe this is a really superb project with its own strength and certainly a name known to many in the world's Harsh Noise scene. Here we are with Junjun Cao a.k.a Junky Chaos.
(Interview by Atandistorted)
Greetings Junjun Cao. It's really interesting to know how Harsh Noise has started to enter and spread in China, can you tell us about it? And then how did you become passionate about genres like this and get the inspiration to establish Torturing Nurse?
Around 2000, I bought a disc, a Japanese no wave and noise compilation: "Taste Of Wild West 3". The last song in the cd, "Bundy", which was very stage-like and lasted for 25 minutes, shocked me and completely overturned my previous understanding of music. Junko's non-stop screaming made me feel that all the bands I had heard and seen before were extremely boring. At the same time, I downloaded the electronic version of the seven Noise fanzines edited by Taiwan's Wang Furui, and had a more comprehensive understanding of what noise is. At that time, the Internet was popular in China, and I deepened my understanding of past and present noise through soulseek and several international noise forums. Yes, I also want to make noise!
Are you personally rebellious and full of anger? And you have made noise as an expression of your emotions?
There are too many depressions in life, and noise gives me temporary peace. I like the freedom and carefreeness of noise performances.
Extreme Harsh Nihilistic Noise! That is what you have often described to the music / sound of Torturing Nurse. Can you elaborate more on the interpretation in terms of textures, atmospheres, etc. About how those sounds are created? Also about the influences of anything or anyone?
Before I started doing noise music, I played in several traditional rock bands for about 7 years. I was tired of rehearsing or performing the same songs hundreds of times. When I heard the first generation of Japanese noise music such as Hijokaidan, Incapacitants, The Gerogerigegege, Masonna, etc., I was moved by them and decided to get involved.
My idea of making noise is to counter rhythm and melody, I don't like ambient noise either. After twenty years of continuous recording and performance, I have gradually formed my own style.
What sort of gears & tools majorly used in your recordings and live performances?
For performances, I currently use four-channel audio sources, then use the motion line selector to switch on the spot in real time, and coordinate with the physical performance.
For recording, more methods are used, including vinyl records, collages of various sound sources
Torturing Nurse has released hundreds of albums, splits and compilation appearances. Do you have any picks for your best works, most favorites or most memorable releases from your long list of discography?
Torturing Nurse - NanaNanaNanaNanaNanaNana (obscurica cdr 2005)
Torturing Nurse - Recycled (rrrecords c55 2006)
Torturing Nurse - il comunismo doveva morire (mind flare media cd 2010)
Torturing Nurse - HELL!? (mind flare media cd 2012)
Torturing Nurse - Collapse/Ikiru (lime lodge 12"vinyl 2015)
Torturing Nurse - Small Leaves (a dear girl called wendy 1-sided 12"vinyl 2015)
Torturing Nurse - Ceremony (moral defeat c24 2016)
Torturing Nurse - Raw Tape (gerpfast raw tape division c60 2017)
Torturing Nurse - Validity (deathbed tapes c20 2020)
Torturing Nurse - Closed (l.white records cd 2023)
How exactly do you see Torturing Nurse changing and evolving (sound/music & showmanship) in the present compared to the past (2000s era) and can you possibly imagine more surprises from Torturing Nurse in the future?
After 20 years of performances and publications, I have been constantly exploring more possibilities. For me, noise has become an indispensable part of life. All I can think of is that I will keep doing it until my life or body dies.
What are some of the artists / albums you often listen to nowadays?
To be honest, I was a crazy music collector more than 20 years ago. I liked noise and free improvisation. But now, because of my work (my friends and I opened a venue called Trigger in Shanghai last year, which specializes in performing noise and experimental music), I listen more to live performances by various musicians and bands.
Can you report a little about the noise movement / underground music scene in Shanghai, China? Also tell us about some things you often mention such as Trigger, Noishanghai, etc?
Around 2000, noise and experimental performances started to take place in Shanghai, but it was only a small circle. Too many people came and went, and then new people appeared. I am not qualified to say or comment on it. Maybe I will be qualified to summarize it in the future.
Apart from Torturing Nurse, do you have other projects / bands or run a record / production label?
In addition to Torturing Nurse, there are also RHYTHMICSHIT (my noisecore project with Yamahaha) and ULTRACOCKER SHOCKING (my personal vocal/flux performance project).
Others also include:
Shasha Records (rip 2004-2010)
Life is absurd (cassette/cd format label)
Baoyin (lathe/vinyl format label)
Huge thanks for your time speaking with The EFX-Files e-journal and Hidden Sounds fanzine. Say a few words to conclude this interview. Salute!
Thank you very much for interviewing me, and thank you for spreading the word. I hope more people will know about underground music and extreme sounds!
personal
wechat:JunkyChaos
project
wechat:torturingnurse
lable
organize
venue
wechat:trigger_shanghai
