GENESIS BREYER P-ORRIDGE: The MetalKult Interview
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On July 19, 2007, MetalKult had the distinct pleasure to interview one of the most influential experimental musicians of the past 30 years, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge.
As a founding member of Seventies avant-garde acts Coum Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle, the English-born Genesis effectively laid the groundwork for what would become industrial music. (Quite literally, as Throbbing Gristle reportedly coined the term when they formed their Industrial Records label.) Make no mistake, without Gen there would be no Nine Inch Nails, Ministry or Marilyn Manson.
In the Eighties, Genesis founded “hyperdelic acid house” group Psychic TV, with whom he went on to explore psychedelic head music and occult spirituality (the roots of which stretch back to Genesis’ childhood and his grandmother who was a medium). Psychic TV’s latest record, Hell Is Invisible…Heaven Is Her/e was released this past June on Sweet Nothing records.
Over the years, Genesis’ creative orbit has crossed the paths of many influential artists, including beat writers William S. Burroughs and Brion Gysin, psychedelic guru Dr. Timothy Leary, industrial supergroup Pigface and Japanese noise band Merzbow.
+++In our comprehensive seven-part interview, hear Genesis talk about a range of topics, including his early years in Throbbing Gristle, his exile from Britain, his tragic accident at Rick Rubin’s studio and much more.+++
In 2003, Gen and his late-partner Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge began a performance/action series called Breaking Sex, in which the pair sought “re-union and re-solution of male and female to a perfecting hermaphroditic state” by having cosmetic surgeries (including matching breast implants) to blur the lines between their sexes. Talk about extreme.
Because of Gen’s progressive beliefs and outspoken nature, he’s been the target of many individuals and groups who would rather we all just sheepishly accept conventions and norms. (Gen was even exiled from his native Britain in the early Nineties following misconceptions about his Art Actionist Project called Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth.) Thankfully, Gen refuses to conform, and continues to speak his mind on an array of issues.
So when we arrived at Genesis’ house in the Bushwick section of Brookyn, NY, we weren’t disappointed. In the hour plus interview that followed, the exceedingly friendly and talkative Gen led us through the finer points of his past, present and plans for the future.
NOTE: MetalKult is also saddened to report that since our interview, Gen’s partner Lady Jaye passed away from a previously undiagnosed heart condition which is thought to have been connected with her long-term battle with stomach cancer. We extend our condolences to Gen and the family.
Not surprising this has no comments from random metal heads, but I really appreciate this. It’s therapeutic. Some people are such close minded determinists - unwilling to question the foundations of nature and society. Just consider that this guy exists on this planet.
Why do I keep seeing “Japanese noise band Merzbow”? Merzbow is for the most part Masami Akita. One man.
you’re stupid.
Wow, didn’t know about Lady Jane, my condolences… I had heard many years ago (at least 15) about their wish to become more and more like each other, inside and out, an ongoing art project with their own bodies as the medium. What a loss… G. P-O is one of the only “true satanists” I can think of, living under his own rules and those of no one else. Terribly interesting.
Gen was the man who facilitated the popularity of acts like Skinny Puppy
Front 242, Ministry, Lords of Acid. It is tradgic that his long time partner
away. Both have given so much. It seems unfair to have a soul so precious
taken away. I send my strength to Gen and family. SS
Genesis P-Orridge was and continues to be a major influence on my music and I am so dumbfounded and saddened to find out at this moment that his partner has passed away. I hope he is coping with this tragedy and can only say that there are many people out here that empathize with your loss and wish you nothing but a brighter tommorrow. Thank you for all you have given for the evolution of music and mind and take care.
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i found out about throbbing gristle back in early 2000 i think maybe earlier but i checked them out and was hooked. the endless not is so soulfull. gen’s book painfull but fabulous is one of my faveourite books. im looking forward to the reworked simon for book wreckers of civilisation.
thanks for sharing this interview!
Genesis Orridge…
Watch the videos …
http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/videos/genesis/…
A wonderful interview by a wonderful man; one of my heroes and a true inspiration. Thank you, Gen.
xxx
Genesis is such a beautiful being. He is a true inspiration and an example to us all.. those of us who know.
I’m really glad that I stumbled across this interview. It’s always a pleasure to see and to hear Gen speak. A truely wonder-full person, very full of life, courageous and inspiring. Along with lots of other people I was genuinely saddened to hear about the passing of Lady Jaye. I wish Gen strength, energy, peace, and a healing process that will enable him to carry on.
x much love.
Thanx U Genesis for all Yours Works Art Ideas its changes peoples life for better..
genesis p-orridge… those words roll off the tongue like sweet molasses. no matter how much it saddens about lady jaye’s passing it’s very exciting knowing he’s available. for those who don’t know he just released a new thee majesty cd on an underground noise label called blossoming noise. i swear this wo/man will be laying down tracks on his death bed.
Love !!! Always big inspiration and Light for me from the words and music of Gen . Thanks and respect
GP is an angel.
[…] interview … 2007, MetalKult had the distinct pleasure to interview one of the most influential …http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/videos/genesis/Listening to comics while making comics I’ve been making comics a lot lately, and the soundtrack to […]
I am the plague of Genesis P-Orridge.
there is no mind, but thee mind of Genesis P-Orridge.
there is no truth, but the thee truth that comes from Genesis P-Orridge
there are no lies, but thee lies that come from Genesis P-Orridge
there is no information,
there in no non-information,
but that which emanates from Genesis P-Orridge
Genesis P-Orridge always was,
always will be
and always remains…
the change
Every thing that I do is because of Genesis P-Orridge
There is no information,
but the information that comes from Genesis P-Orridge
All other information is irrelevant information because it does not come from Genesis P-Orridge
Everything that everyone else says is LIES !
Only Genesis P-Orridge can speak thee TRUTH !
because only thee truth comes from Genesis P-Orridge
Those who do not know Genesis P-Orridge should be eliminated
because they then have no reason for their existence
because the only reason for existence
is to serve Genesis P-Orridge
All wars since thee beginning of time
were started by Genesis P-Orridge
In order to make more room for this expanding mind of Genesis P-Orridge,
because there is really only one mind of thee universe,
and that mind belongs to Genesis P-Orridge
All other minds
do not exist
except the mind of Genesis P-Orridge
There is no such thing as peace
because Genesis P-Orridge does not allow peace to exist
He only creates chaos, turmoil and confusion
which are the true states of existence
since thee beginning of time
and will go on forever and ever
and thee only person and mind that can last forever and ever
is the mind ov Genesis P-Orridge
Thee rest shall crumble
Thank you for sharing this interview, Genesis is such a profound and influential person/ artist/ musician/ philosopher, etc… and it’s a pleasure to hear about his views and perceptions throughout his lifetime.
I really respect his willingness to grow and evolve, booth as a person and as a singular “Being.”
Gen’s contributions have had a positive impact on my life, and a significant impact in the past, present, and future.
wow, what a very interesting and profound individual.wish their were more people like you genesis p-orridge.i found your topic matter very stimulating and inspiring ,which im sure is your main goal.i myself a fellow artist /poet /abstract painter etc…and its always nice to hear something refreshing .it would be an honor to meet you one day. take care ,have a good day and i wish you well.
Genesis P-Orridge is without a doubt the most intelligent, articulate person I could ever hope to meet.
Where did you find that amazing picture of Mick Jagger? I can’t find it anywhere…
I stumbled onto this interview after reading the amazing article in Radar, from which I learned quite a few things I hadn’t been aware of. I’ve heard Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV and even saw Psychic TV at Metro in Chicago many years ago, but I had basically not thought much about Genesis P. Orridge in a long time and had no idea of his recent personal travails or the pandrogyny project. I watched every minute of these interviews and found Gen’s story completely fascinating. Thanks!