PSYCHIATRIC CHALLENGE
Formed by Lewis Gill and Neil Packer in
1999, originally as a duo, Psychiatric Challenge are now a sextet
of improvising musicians
Playing is very much in the genre of AMM and Keith Rowe with John
Cage, Stockhausen and Fred Frith thrown in. Performances feature
many guest musicians and the line up can be as many as 10 strong
giving a massive experimental sound wash which ranges from almost
silence to a 'nuclear' roar. Various combinations of musicians
are often used throughout the performances.
Their first CD was a selection of live improvisations entitled "Kitchen Chamber Works", was recorded in April 2000 and features Duo, Trio and Quartet performances in various combinations. Since then many performances have been recorded and released on the Electronic Music label. Click here to see.
They have recently performed with Evan Parker, Keith Rowe, Colin Potter, Phil Mouldycliff, Lol Coxhill, Eddie Prevost, Philip Jeck, Mark Wastell, John Russell, Paul Rutherford and Rhodri Davis.
To see a performance history click here