Brian Chippendale
Encyclopedia
Brian Chippendale is a musician and artist based in Providence, Rhode Island
. Chippendale is best known as the drummer/vocalist for the bands Lightning Bolt (alongside bassist Brian Gibson
) and Mindflayer
(alongside Matt Brinkman). He also plays saxophone
and drums
in a solo project called Black Pus. Chippendale also illustrates his own comic book series, Maggots, and a number of other one-shot, limited-publication comics. Before its destruction, Chippendale was a member of Fort Thunder
, part of an abandoned, pre-Civil War
textile factory in Providence, Rhode Island
known as a work-space for local, avant-garde
artists. Chippendale grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Conestoga High School in Berwyn. He started drumming with his first band, the Pissants, in 1989.
and Nick Noe film The Power of Salad
, revolving around a string of Lightning Bolt performances across America, Chippendale likens his drumming to his drawing style: "I feel like everything I do has something to do with filling up space. I dunno, almost the way I drum is the way I draw: it's like I'm covering every little space with a beat or a hit or something."
Though the composition of Chippendale's drum setup is fairly consistent, the positioning of them is not. Usually the kick drum and cymbals are to his right, the floor tom to the left, and the two snare drums directly in front and to the right. During more recent concerts, Chippendale has added a smaller tom to the front left of his kit.
During Mindflayer
and Black Pus performances, Chippendale also tends to employ a second Ludwig-Musser snare drum.
DigiTech Whammy
pedal when performing as Black Pus
Aside from music, Chippendale is also a prolific comic-book artist. He's created the album art for all five Lightning Bolt releases and draws a number of other, usually one-shot comics. Chippendale's style has been described as "almost a little too enthusiastic". The same reviewer continues: "The manic detail and cross-hatching on every page, the Winsor McCay level of ambition in creating a beautiful page layout -- it's all a little hard to process."
In October 2006, Chippendale released his long-awaited Ninja comic book, an art book and comic that incorporates simple action comics he drew as a child with more surreal work drawn as an adult. In 2007 he released Maggots, which was drawn ten years previously but had never been released. Maggots is drawn over a Japanese book catalog, so Japanese characters appear in all the spaces that aren't inked in by his pen. In 2010 another book If 'n Oof is due.
Chippendale, and his graphic work, are featured in the 2009 film Died Young Stayed Pretty about rock poster art.
In June 2010 an exhibit Fruiting Bodies of Chippendale's artwok opened at the Cinders Gallery in Brooklyn.
Chippendale performed drums on Björk's
2007 album Volta
. He also did a remix for Björk's single "Declare Independence" under the alias Black Pus.
In 2003 Chippendale played on at least one occasion with Sonic Youth
guitarist Thurston Moore
at the Middle East (Cambridge, MA) under the name Nuntronix.
Chippendale participated as drummer 77 in the Boredoms 77 Boadrum
performance which occurred on July 7, 2007 at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
in Brooklyn.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. Chippendale is best known as the drummer/vocalist for the bands Lightning Bolt (alongside bassist Brian Gibson
Brian Gibson (musician)
Brian Gibson is a musician and artist based out of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Gibson is best known as the bassist for the band Lightning Bolt, alongside drummer and vocalist Brian Chippendale, and as the drummer of Wizardzz, with Rich Porter of Bug Sized Mind, and Megasus. Gibson...
) and Mindflayer
Mindflayer (band)
Mindflayer is a noise rock band from Providence, Rhode Island, made up of Brian Chippendale and Matt Brinkman which was formed out of Fort Thunder....
(alongside Matt Brinkman). He also plays saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
in a solo project called Black Pus. Chippendale also illustrates his own comic book series, Maggots, and a number of other one-shot, limited-publication comics. Before its destruction, Chippendale was a member of Fort Thunder
Fort Thunder
Fort Thunder was a warehouse on the second floor of a pre-Civil War former textile factory in the Olneyville district of Providence, Rhode Island. From 1995 through 2001, the space was used as a venue for underground music and events, as well as a living and working space for the artists...
, part of an abandoned, pre-Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
textile factory in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
known as a work-space for local, avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
artists. Chippendale grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Conestoga High School in Berwyn. He started drumming with his first band, the Pissants, in 1989.
Sound
Chippendale is known for his fast-paced, frantic drumming. In the Peter GlantzPeter Glantz
Peter Glantz is an American director of theater and film, notably the films Lightning Bolt - Power Of Salad and the music video DVD Pick A Winner, both released through the record label Load Records...
and Nick Noe film The Power of Salad
The Power of Salad
The Power of Salad, also known as The Power of Salad & Milkshakes, is a film by Peter Glantz and Nick Noe, featuring and documenting the Providence, Rhode Island noise rock band Lightning Bolt...
, revolving around a string of Lightning Bolt performances across America, Chippendale likens his drumming to his drawing style: "I feel like everything I do has something to do with filling up space. I dunno, almost the way I drum is the way I draw: it's like I'm covering every little space with a beat or a hit or something."
Equipment
Lightning Bolt is known for their dynamic and often hodge-podge setups. Chippendale does, however, have a fairly consistent equipment set-up during live performances:Drum setup
- Two snare drumSnare drumThe snare drum or side drum is a melodic percussion instrument with strands of snares made of curled metal wire, metal cable, plastic cable, or gut cords stretched across the drumhead, typically the bottom. Pipe and tabor and some military snare drums often have a second set of snares on the bottom...
s (Ludwig-MusserLudwig-MusserLudwig-Musser is a drum and percussion instrument manufacturer that is part of the Conn-Selmer division of Steinway Musical Instruments.The first product made by the Ludwig brothers, William and Theobaldner , was a bass drum pedal capable of playing faster beats than was typical of products of the...
Supraphonic) - One floor tomFloor tomA floor tom is a double-headed tom-tom drum which usually stands on the floor on three legs. However, they can also be attached to a cymbal stand with a drum clamp....
- One rack tom
- One kick drumBass drumBass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
with a DWDrum WorkshopDrum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
9000 kick pedal - Two cymbalCymbalCymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...
s (one SabianSabian (company)Sabian is a Canadian cymbal designer and manufacturer. It is a leading manufacturer of cymbals along with other top companies such as Zildjian, Paiste, and Meinl.-History:...
20" ride cymbalRide cymbalThe ride cymbal is a standard cymbal in most drum kits. It maintains a steady rhythmic pattern, sometimes called a ride pattern, rather than the accent of a crash...
and one ZildjianAvedis Zildjian CompanyThe Avedis Zildjian Company is a cymbal manufacturer founded in Istanbul by Armenian Avedis Zildjian in the 17th century during the Ottoman Empire. At nearly 400 years old, Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world...
20" Ping ride cymbal) - Drum stickDrum stickA percussion mallet is an object used to beat drums and other percussion instruments. Some specialized mallets are called beaters, drumsticks.Note: See Rute .-Drum sticks:...
s: ZildjianAvedis Zildjian CompanyThe Avedis Zildjian Company is a cymbal manufacturer founded in Istanbul by Armenian Avedis Zildjian in the 17th century during the Ottoman Empire. At nearly 400 years old, Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world...
"Absolute Rock" blunt-end sticks - DrumheadDrumheadA drumhead is a membrane stretched over one or both of the open ends of a drum. The drumhead is struck with sticks, mallets, or hands so that it vibrates and the sound resonates through the drum.-History:...
s: REMORemoRemo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
pinstripe drumheads
Though the composition of Chippendale's drum setup is fairly consistent, the positioning of them is not. Usually the kick drum and cymbals are to his right, the floor tom to the left, and the two snare drums directly in front and to the right. During more recent concerts, Chippendale has added a smaller tom to the front left of his kit.
During Mindflayer
Mindflayer (band)
Mindflayer is a noise rock band from Providence, Rhode Island, made up of Brian Chippendale and Matt Brinkman which was formed out of Fort Thunder....
and Black Pus performances, Chippendale also tends to employ a second Ludwig-Musser snare drum.
Microphone
As a vocalist for Lightning Bolt and Mindflayer, Chippendale eschews the usual microphone stand and conventional microphone, instead using the type of microphone built into a household telephone receiver, held in his mouth or attached to a hood. This microphone is then run through an effects processor to alter the sound further. Chippendale often warbles or makes nonsensical sounds into the microphone, so the vocals typically come out extremely distorted and almost incomprehensible, in a style almost identical to Ruins (band). More recently, Chippendale has used a Line 6 delay pedal to delay and repeat his vocals while drumming.Effects
- Line 6 DL-4 Delay Modeler (two when performing as Black Pus)
- BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
SD-1 Overdrive pedal - MorleyMorley PedalsMorley Pedals is the name of a guitar effects pedal company, famous for manufacturing wah-wah pedals and other treadle type effects for guitar. Morley pedals use electro-optical circuitry rather than a potentiometer to control the effect. The foot treadle controls a shutter inside the pedal that...
Wah pedal - BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
OC-3 Super Octave Pedal - Death By AudioDeath By AudioDeath By Audio is a warehouse space on the first floor of an industrial building in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. It is also the name of an effects pedal company based in the space....
Interstellar Overdriver Pedal – used to add noise to drums - BIAS Coron DS-7 Drum Synth – a simple drum-synthSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
module attached to bass drumBass drumBass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
DigiTech Whammy
Digitech Whammy
-Overview:The WH-1 Whammy pedal, the original whammy, first engineered and manufactured in 1989 by IVL Technologies and discontinued in 1993, remains the most sought-after.-Controls:...
pedal when performing as Black Pus
Comics and artwork
In October 2006, Chippendale released his long-awaited Ninja comic book, an art book and comic that incorporates simple action comics he drew as a child with more surreal work drawn as an adult. In 2007 he released Maggots, which was drawn ten years previously but had never been released. Maggots is drawn over a Japanese book catalog, so Japanese characters appear in all the spaces that aren't inked in by his pen. In 2010 another book If 'n Oof is due.
Chippendale, and his graphic work, are featured in the 2009 film Died Young Stayed Pretty about rock poster art.
In June 2010 an exhibit Fruiting Bodies of Chippendale's artwok opened at the Cinders Gallery in Brooklyn.
Other projects
In 2008 Chippendale collaborated on Lee "Scratch" Perry's album "Repentance"Chippendale performed drums on Björk's
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
2007 album Volta
Volta (album)
Volta is the seventh studio album by Icelandic musician Björk, released in May 2007. It was produced by Björk, Mark Bell, Timbaland and Danja. The music of Volta was a new style for Björk, focusing on similar sounding music combining African beats and other instruments with songs in tribute to Africa...
. He also did a remix for Björk's single "Declare Independence" under the alias Black Pus.
In 2003 Chippendale played on at least one occasion with Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
guitarist Thurston Moore
Thurston Moore
Thurston Joseph Moore is an American musician best known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist of Sonic Youth. He has also participated in many solo and group collaborations outside of Sonic Youth, as well as running the Ecstatic Peace! record label...
at the Middle East (Cambridge, MA) under the name Nuntronix.
Chippendale participated as drummer 77 in the Boredoms 77 Boadrum
77 Boadrum
77 Boa Drum was a concert held on July 7, 2007 at 7:07 PM consisting of 77 drummers. The concert was organized by Boredoms. The title of the concert was a portmanteau of "Boredoms", "boa", "drum", and "77"...
performance which occurred on July 7, 2007 at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
Empire–Fulton Ferry Park, formerly Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, is a park in Brooklyn, New York, United States. The park is located next to the East River, extending north and south of the Brooklyn Bridge...
in Brooklyn.
Solo projects
- "Glemun" cassette (1993)
- "Glemun 2" cassette (1995)
- Appears as "Gleemun" on the Sonic ChimpChimp rockChimp rock is a term coined in the early 1990s by members of the Boston-based band Kudgel, and "popularly" applied to various bands at a time when lo-fi recording was gaining credibility in the independent music industry.The word "Chimp" implies a primitive or unschooled approach...
compilation LPCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
(Sealed Hotel, 1996) - Olneyville Providence Live Compilation (10 CD-r handmade bootleg boxset) (no label) (2005)
- Black Pus I (2005)
- Black Pus II (2006)
- Black Pus III: Metamorpus (2006)
- Black Pus IV: All Aboard the Magic Pus! (2008)
- "Black Pus/Foot Village" split 12" (2008)
- "Black Pus - The Ultimate Beat Off" (2009)
- Black Pus - Down Down da Drain/Bark of the Tree 7" (2009)
Albums
- "Lightning Bolt" cassette (self released) (1996)
- Lightning BoltLightning Bolt (album)Lightning Bolt is the eponymous debut album by noise rock band Lightning Bolt. Originally, five of the tracks on the album were recorded in the studio, however, with the exception of one track, the band discarded these and instead put lo-fi live versions of the songs on the record...
(Load) (1998) - Zone 50-minute companion cassette (1998)
- Ride the SkiesRide the SkiesRide the Skies is the second album by noise rock band Lightning Bolt. This album is considered their breakthrough in the noise rock world.Track #2, "Saint Jacques," is named after bassist Dan St...
(Load) (2001) - Wonderful RainbowWonderful RainbowWonderful Rainbow is the third album by noise rock band Lightning Bolt. It is considered to be their most accessible album, featuring heavy but catchy bass guitar riffs and frenetic drums....
(Load) (2003) - Hypermagic MountainHypermagic MountainHypermagic Mountain is the fourth album by the noise rock band Lightning Bolt. It has a very dense sound composed entirely of distorted bass guitar and loud, pounding drums...
(Load) (2005) - Earthly DelightsEarthly Delights (album)Earthly Delights is the fifth album by the noise rock band Lightning Bolt. It was released on October 13, 2009 by Load Records. The album was leaked to the internet on August 27, 2009.-Track listing:#"Sound Guardians" – 4:52...
(Load) (2009)
Self-released
- Raise Your Tentacles and Yell! (released on official website) (2000)
- Live CD-R (released on official website) (Bulb) (2000/2001)
- "Apeshit" cassette, 50 copies (2003) Thunder Tapes
Studio albums
- It's Always 1999It's Always 1999It's Always 1999 is the first album by the noise rock band Mindflayer. It was released as a CD-R in 2001 before being released by Load Records in 2004.-Track listing:#"Worm is Coming" – 2:22#"Repeating Tiger Fist and G Flury" – 2:35...
(Ooo Mau Mau/Load) (2001/2004) - Take Your Skin OffTake Your Skin OffTake Your Skin Off is the second album by the noise rock band Mindflayer.-Track listing:#"Take Your Shoes Off" – 2:20#"Head of State on a Plate Levitation" – 4:10#"Drop Bass Not Bombs Leviathin" – 2:47#"Awind War III" – 1:51...
(Bulb) (2003) - Die & Mold Services (Corleone) (2004)
- Expedition to the Hairier PeaksExpedition to the Hairier PeaksExpedition to the Hairier Peaks is the fourth album by the noise rock band Mindflayer....
(Corleone) (2005)
7-inch singles
- Split (with PrurientPrurientPrurient is the performing name of Ian Dominick Fernow. He has released material on numerous independent record labels, such as American Tapes, Hanson Records, RRRecords, Load Records, Troubleman Unlimited, Chrondritic Sound, Kitty Play Records, and his own label Hospital Productions...
) (Important Records) (2007) - Split (with Deep Jew) (not not fun) (2007)
Appearances on compilations
- Old Tyme Lemonade compilation (Hospital Productions) (2004)
Collaborations
- Björk - VoltaVolta (album)Volta is the seventh studio album by Icelandic musician Björk, released in May 2007. It was produced by Björk, Mark Bell, Timbaland and Danja. The music of Volta was a new style for Björk, focusing on similar sounding music combining African beats and other instruments with songs in tribute to Africa...
(2007) - Lee "Scratch" Perry - RepentanceRepentance (2008 album)Repentance is the title of the fifty-fourth studio album by Jamaican musician and record producer Lee "Scratch" Perry. It was released on August 19, 2008...
(2008)
Books
- Ninja Gingko Press (2006) ISBN 9781584232476 (Out of print)
- Maggots Picturebox Inc, (2007) ISBN 9780978972264
- If 'n Oof Picturebox Inc, (2010) ISBN 9780982094754
External links
- Official website
- Faux Fetus Collective - Black Pus
- Load Records
- Gallery Agniel Bio
- 77 Boadrum Site Profile Viva Radio, Sep 2007. (FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
) - "I'm drowning in ideas" 2010 Interview