User:JoshuaMoser

Whiteberg are an international sonic art ensemble, formed in 1983, by performance artist; Emmanuel Whiteberg[2] (sometimes referred to as 'The Count'). The group’s original members, until 2006, were Emmanuel Whiteberg, Ronnie Gurdjieff[3], Pablo Ouspenski[4], Philip Marinetti[5] and Maitland White[6]. After 2006, most band members become non or semi-participating musical directors and fresh blood was introduced in the shape of: Algernon Vaniva[7], Clem Fazuku[8], Vidya Sahara[9], and Kavita Quartz[10]. Out of the original members, only Emmanuel Whiteberg continued as an active participant. Whiteberg have a back catalogue of 26 albums [11], released on Superimposition records [12]. The most recent of which was 'Music for Horror Films'[13]; released in 2011. The musical style of the group could be classified as 'No Wave', 'Sound art', 'Experimental music', 'Dark Wave' or 'Art rock'; along with artistes such as The Residents, Der Plan, and Devo.

History
Beginning

Emmanuel whiteberg had been greatly inspired by the musical treatments of a local band called ‘The Steamers’[14] who were the brain child of Douglas van der Rocker[15]. Rocker played an integral part in setting up an early improvised recording studio in the basement of the Whiteberg household. It was at this facility, located in bleakest West Yorkshire, that the band recorded several of their early works, over a period of six years.

Illness

In 1989 Whiteberg moved themselves to Birmingham, where they continued to record, for a further three years. It was during this period that the mental health of Emmanuel Whiteberg began to go into decline. He was no longer able to sing or write lyrics, and resorted instead, to making incoherent vocal noises. Albums such as 'Malignant' (1990) and 'Bummer' (1991) clearly illustrate this). [11] Emmanuel moved briefly to Moscow in 1992 before travelling out to Hong Kong. There he began on a recovery programme and eventually established a new base.

With the absence of Emmanuel the rest of the band began writing and recording Techno and House music material. They continued in this mode for almost three years, but only achieved one release; "Adore You" (1992).

Back Again

By 1996, Emmanuel having recovered, the group got back together to record a rendition of the Tao Te Ching[16](review)[17], which was released in year 2000. They followed up with a rendition of the Bhagavad Gita[18] in 2002; and released Hairy Monsterland[19] in 2004..

Line-up Change

With the original members of the band all by now having their own careers to think about, it was decided that Whiteberg would be better served by some new band members. These were recruited by word and mouth, in and around the cosmopolitan alternative music scene of Hong Kong. Rehearsals began in a small hired warehouse in New Territories[20], and things developed from there. 'Dougy’s Mind'[21] 2009 was the first release by the new line-up, a hard driving synth pop affair, heavy on sampling and interspersed with some moments of studio madness, between tracks. This was followed up by club orientated remix album 'Spiritus'[22]. The band have since leaned more to the experimental (Perhaps as a kind of apocalyptical reaction to the global financial meltdown). The completely crazy 'Telepathic Movements through Ultrasonic Art'[23] 2010 was recorded in several different locations simultaneously, without any audio of visual link-up. Whilst the surreal eclecticism of 'Music for Horror Films'[24]2011 took an intuitive view of the horror movie genre, including a second disc based on the associated bad dreams. Going to press, we hear that they are currently working on an album about insects.