Crumb Duck
Encyclopedia
Crumb Duck is the first collaboration between prolific Anglo-French indie band Stereolab
and cult avant-garde unit Nurse With Wound
, first released on 10" vinyl on the Clawfist label in 1993.
Stereolab guitarist Tim Gane
detailed the circumstances surrounding this collaboration to The Wire
in 1997 (issue 164) whilst undertaking the magazine's "Invisible Jukebox" feature (alongside Lætitia Sadier
). Gane stated that he had invited sole permanent NWW member Steven Stapleton
to produce Stereolab's debut album (later released as Peng!
). However, Gane stated that Stapleton had refused on the grounds that the group were "too rock" but had agreed to undertake a remix for the group instead. Stapleton surprised Gane by producing a letter he had written to NWW some years previously, which he had marked as the 15th piece of correspondence he had received regarding his group (also The Wire, issue 164). According to a newsletter issued by Stereolab's Duophonic Records
, part of the agreement was that Stereolab would not get to hear the finished results until after the record had been pressed and released.
"Exploding Head Movie" is a Stapleton remix of a section of the 18 minute album version of the "Jenny Ondioline" single (as heard on Transient Random Noise Bursts with Announcements). "Animal or Vegetable (A Wonderful Wooden Reason ......)" saw Stapleton playing the vocal track in reverse and adding several layers of wild distorted guitar to the lengthy middle section before applying his familiar tape collage methods to the coda. The original version of this track has not been released. An homage to the German group Faust
is provided by the subtitle to "Animal or Vegetable" -- "A Wonderful Wooden Reason." The latter references a line from the lyrics of "Meadow Meal," a track on Faust's first album self-titled Faust
(1971). Stapleton provided the distinctive cover image but around 30 copies came with sleeves hand drawn by members of Stereolab.
Stereolab later included both tracks on their Refried Ectoplasm
compilation which remains in print. NWW, for their part, issued a Crumb Duck CD, adding 2 tracks from a 7" single NWW had previously issued on the Clawfist label and an outtake. A vinyl edition of this expanded reissue was also made available but both formats went out of print when NWW's distributor, World Serpent Distribution
, went out of business. NWW also included "Animal Or Vegetable" on their The Swinging Reflective compilation.
They would collaborate a second time in 1997 with the release of Simple Headphone Mind
.
(Only tracks 3 and 4 feature Stereolab; all other tracks by Nurse With Wound.)
Stereolab
Stereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier , both of whom remained at the helm across many lineup changes...
and cult avant-garde unit Nurse With Wound
Nurse with Wound
Nurse with Wound is the main recording name for British musician Steven Stapleton. Nurse with Wound was originally a band, formed in 1978 by Stapleton, John Fothergill and Heman Pathak...
, first released on 10" vinyl on the Clawfist label in 1993.
Stereolab guitarist Tim Gane
Tim Gane
Tim Gane is the leader of the rock band, Stereolab.He started his musical career as a purveyor of harsh noise in the early 1980s under the alias Unkommuniti releasing self financed cassettes on Black Dwarf Wreckordings along with fellow Unkommuniti members Kallous Boys and other noise projects....
detailed the circumstances surrounding this collaboration to The Wire
The Wire (magazine)
The Wire is a British avant garde music magazine, founded in 1982 by jazz promoter Anthony Wood and journalist Chrissie Murray. The magazine initially concentrated on contemporary jazz and improvised music, but branched out in the early 1990s to various types of experimental music...
in 1997 (issue 164) whilst undertaking the magazine's "Invisible Jukebox" feature (alongside Lætitia Sadier
Lætitia Sadier
Lætitia Sadier is a French musician best known as the singer of the post-rock band Stereolab.-Stereolab:...
). Gane stated that he had invited sole permanent NWW member Steven Stapleton
Steven Stapleton
Steven Peter Stapleton is a British musician and the only constant member of experimental improv outfit Nurse with Wound...
to produce Stereolab's debut album (later released as Peng!
Peng!
Peng! is the first full length album from Stereolab, originally released in 1992. It showcases an eclectic variety of styles, from experimental pop to Krautrock to lounge.-Track listing:# "Super Falling Star" – 3:16# "Orgiastic" – 4:44...
). However, Gane stated that Stapleton had refused on the grounds that the group were "too rock" but had agreed to undertake a remix for the group instead. Stapleton surprised Gane by producing a letter he had written to NWW some years previously, which he had marked as the 15th piece of correspondence he had received regarding his group (also The Wire, issue 164). According to a newsletter issued by Stereolab's Duophonic Records
Duophonic Records
Duophonic Ultra High Frequency Disks Limited, known as Duophonic Super 45s, is a London based independent record label formed by the British pop group Stereolab...
, part of the agreement was that Stereolab would not get to hear the finished results until after the record had been pressed and released.
"Exploding Head Movie" is a Stapleton remix of a section of the 18 minute album version of the "Jenny Ondioline" single (as heard on Transient Random Noise Bursts with Announcements). "Animal or Vegetable (A Wonderful Wooden Reason ......)" saw Stapleton playing the vocal track in reverse and adding several layers of wild distorted guitar to the lengthy middle section before applying his familiar tape collage methods to the coda. The original version of this track has not been released. An homage to the German group Faust
Faust (band)
Faust are a German krautrock band. Formed in 1971 in Wümme, the group was originally composed of Werner "Zappi" Diermaier, Hans Joachim Irmler, Arnulf Meifert, Jean-Hervé Péron, Rudolf Sosna and Gunther Wüsthoff, working with record producer Uwe Nettelbeck and engineer Kurt Graupner.-History:Faust...
is provided by the subtitle to "Animal or Vegetable" -- "A Wonderful Wooden Reason." The latter references a line from the lyrics of "Meadow Meal," a track on Faust's first album self-titled Faust
Faust (album)
-Personnel:*Werner "Zappi" Diermaier – Drums*Hans Joachim Irmler – Organ*Arnulf Meifert – Drums*Jean-Hervé Péron – Bass*Rudolf Sosna – Guitar and keyboards*Gunter Wüsthoff – Synthesiser and sax-Sound and art work:*Kurt Graupner – Engineer...
(1971). Stapleton provided the distinctive cover image but around 30 copies came with sleeves hand drawn by members of Stereolab.
Stereolab later included both tracks on their Refried Ectoplasm
Refried Ectoplasm
Refried Ectoplasm , released in July 1995, is a compilation by Stereolab of singles and rarities.-Track listing:# "Harmonium" – 5:55 ...
compilation which remains in print. NWW, for their part, issued a Crumb Duck CD, adding 2 tracks from a 7" single NWW had previously issued on the Clawfist label and an outtake. A vinyl edition of this expanded reissue was also made available but both formats went out of print when NWW's distributor, World Serpent Distribution
World Serpent Distribution
World Serpent Distribution was a British record label and music distribution house formed in the 1990s by David Gibson, Alan Trench and Alison Webster...
, went out of business. NWW also included "Animal Or Vegetable" on their The Swinging Reflective compilation.
They would collaborate a second time in 1997 with the release of Simple Headphone Mind
Simple Headphone Mind
Simple Headphone Mind is the second collaboration between Stereolab and Nurse With Wound. As with their first release, Crumb Duck, Stereolab recorded the basic track and then handed it over to Steven Stapleton to do with as he pleased...
.
Side one
- "Animal or Vegetable (A Wonderful Wooden Reason ......)" (Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier, Steve Stapleton) – 13:34
CD reissue
- "Steel Dream March of the Metal Men" – 5:39
- "The Dadda's Intoxication" – 6:25
- "Exploding Head Movie" – 4:48
- "Animal or Vegetable (A Wonderful Wooden Reason ......)" – 13:34
- "A New Dress (remix)" – 9:43
(Only tracks 3 and 4 feature Stereolab; all other tracks by Nurse With Wound.)
Personnel
- Denis Blackham – Mastering
- Tim Gane – Guitar, Farfisa Organ, Group Member
- Mary Hansen – Vocals
- David Kenny – Guitar, Engineer, Mixing
- Steve Mack – Engineer
- Sean O'Hagan – Organ
- Colin Potter – Engineer, Mixing, Sound Manipulation
- Laetitia Sadier – Vocals
- Babs Santini – Cover Art
- Steve Stapleton – Organ, Guitar, Harmonica, Percussion, Loops, *Mixing, Pedals, Tapes, Ring Modulator, Generator