Weasel Walter

Weasel Walter
Weasel Walter at Club W71 in 2017
Weasel Walter at Club W71 in 2017
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Todd Walter
Born (1972-05-18) May 18, 1972 (age 52)
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
GenresAvant-garde, experimental, free jazz, no wave, death metal, technical death metal, progressive metal, Avant-garde metal, noise, noise rock, brutal prog, new music, punk jazz, hardcore punk, free improvisation
Occupation(s)composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, record label owner
Instrument(s)drums, guitar, double bass, bass, bass clarinet, c melody saxophone, trombone, trumpet, mellotron, organ, piano, synthesizer, electronics, vocals
Years active1991–present
LabelsugEXPLODE, Thirsty Ear, Skin Graft
Member of
Formerly of
Websiteugexplode.com

Weasel Walter (born Christopher Todd Walter, May 18, 1972) is an American composer, improviser, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and founder of ugEXPLODE Records.[1] Walter's work has been informed by techniques and traditions of music including Avant-garde, experimental, no wave, free jazz, extreme metal, punk jazz, hardcore punk, noise, new music and free improvisation. He coined the term "brutal prog" to describe the aggressively dissonant strain of prog played by groups like his band the Flying Luttenbachers.[2]

Known as an unrelenting[3] and abrasive[4] provocateur whose performances trend toward overblown antics and "nihilistic glee",[5] Walter has been described by renowned guitarist Mary Halvorson as "completely manic and extraordinarily sensitive"[6] and by The Chicago Reader as "a splinter lodged beneath the fingernail".[7] Avant-garde artist Glenn Branca once called him "one of the greatest rock composers who ever lived".[8]

He has performed as leader and sideperson in a number of bands, including Cellular Chaos and Lydia Lunch Retrovirus.[9] Walter has worked with Roscoe Mitchell, Marshall Allen, John Butcher, Tim Dahl, Peter Evans, Mary Halvorson, Henry Kaiser, Jim O'Rourke, Evan Parker, Elliott Sharp, Ken Vandermark, and William Winant,[10] as well as in bands including XBXRX, Bobby Conn, Cock E.S.P., Curse of the Birthmark, Erase Errata, Harry Pussy, Lair of the Minotaur, The Chicago Sound and others. He has produced albums by AIDS Wolf, Arab on Radar, Glenn Branca, Burmese, Lydia Lunch, Coachwhips, and Total Shutdown.[11]

  1. ^ Longley, Martin (July 2012). "Artist Feature: Weasel Walter" (PDF). The New York City Jazz Record. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. ^ Masters, Marc (26 July 2019). "A Beginner's Guide to Brutal Prog". Bandcamp. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. ^ Roe, Nat (16 February 2012). "Brain Melters - Weasel Walter". VICE. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. ^ Kendrick, Monica (6 January 2000). "Flying Luttenbachers". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  5. ^ Pecoraro, David M. (8 December 2002). "Flying Luttenbachers: Infection and Decline". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  6. ^ Cohan, Brad (15 August 2012). "Weasel (Walter) Nation". The Village Voice. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  7. ^ Margasak, Peter (7 November 2002). "Go West, Loud Man". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  8. ^ Dasher, Simon (30 April 2006). "Glenn Branca". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Flying Luttenbachers".
  10. ^ "Weasel Walter Improvised Music".
  11. ^ "Weasel Walter homepage".