Blind Idiot God

For the H. P. Lovecraft character, see Azathoth.
Blind Idiot God
Also known asB.I.G.
OriginSt. Louis, Missouri, United States
GenresNoise rock,[1] math rock, dub
Years active1982–1996, 2001–present
LabelsAvant, Enemy, Indivisible, SST
MembersWill Dahl
Andy Hawkins
Tim Wyskida
Past membersTed Epstein
Gabriel Katz

Blind Idiot God is an American instrumental rock trio formed in 1982 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, by guitarist Andy Hawkins, bassist Gabriel Katz and drummer Ted Epstein. The phrase "blind idiot god" comes from horror writer H. P. Lovecraft's description of the god Azathoth. Their often improvisational musical style combines influences from punk rock, noise music, 20th-century classical music, heavy metal, dub, free jazz, and funk. They are currently based in New York City and have often collaborated with musicians Bill Laswell and John Zorn.[2]

Their self-titled debut album, Blind Idiot God, was issued by SST Records in 1987 and was well received critically. Brian Olewnick described it as "an extraordinary debut [...] the three musicians exhibited startling originality and impressive technique both on their instruments and in the depth and style of their compositions".[3] With bassist Bill Laswell handling production duties, Undertow was released in 1988 and was followed by Cyclotron in 1992. Ted Epstein left the band in 1996 and the remaining members put Blind Idiot God on hiatus as they searched for his replacement.

In 2001, Blind Idiot God reunited after roughly a decade of inactivity, with Tim Wyskida (of Khanate) replacing Epstein. Between 2008 and 2010, Blind Idiot God recorded the material at studios in New Jersey; Barber Shop; and Orange Sound that would comprise their fourth album, Before Ever After. Gabriel Katz departed in 2012 and was replaced by New York veteran bassist Will Dahl, making Andy Hawkins the only original member still performing in the band. Before Ever After was released on February 24, 2015, with the new lineup performing three live shows in New York to coincide with the release.[4][5] In 2017, The band announced that they would be re-issuing their back catalog on multiple formats and that they had started work on a new album.

  1. ^ "Tremble Before Blind Idiot God's "Wheels of Progress"". Noisey. December 19, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  2. ^ "Blind Idiot God". Option. 30–35. Sonic Options Network: 69–71. 1990. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  3. ^ Olewnick, Brian. "Blind Idiot God". Allmusic. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  4. ^ "Blind Idiot God - "Before Ever After"". indivisiblemusic.com. 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  5. ^ columnist (November 25, 2014). "Blind Idiot God Announces New Album 'Before Ever After'". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.