Artist

Rhys Chatham

1970s-present·New York City

Rhys Chatham studied with La Monte Young before turning his attention to electric guitar ensembles, working out of The Kitchen in downtown Manhattan. His 1977 composition Guitar Trio became a direct influence on Glenn Branca and laid groundwork for no wave's later experiments with massed guitars, built on the idea that a minimalist drone, played loud enough and repeated long enough, could be turned into something close to a weapon. His band the Gynecologists performed at the Artists Space festival that helped define the scene.

At a glance

Active
1970s–present
From
New York City, USA
Listening guide track
“Guitar Trio Pt. 1, Chicago”

Listen

In the NYC No Wave listening guide: “Guitar Trio Pt. 1, Chicago”

Spotify

In the issues

  • NYC No Wave
    Supporting cast · 1977-1984

    NYC No Wave is a music scene from Lower Manhattan, New York City, 1977–1984. Its principal artists include Suicide, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Sonic Youth and The Contortions. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 14 dated events.

Places

  • The Kitchen
    New York City · 1971-present · NYC No Wave

    This experimental performance space in SoHo bridged downtown's avant-garde tradition and no wave's emergence, hosting Rhys Chatham and Glenn Branca's guitar orchestra pieces.