Ritual Tension

Ritual Tension was an American post-punk experimental art rock band that debuted in 1983, and played the rock circuit, mostly in Manhattan, until 1990. They produced two studio albums and one EP, recorded at Martin Bisi’ s BC Studio in Brooklyn, as well as one live album from shows at CBGB. At the same time, various configurations of the band members took part in art performances around the city, in venues such as Pyramid Club and PS 122.

History

Ritual Tension began with brothers Ivan and Andrew Nahem, who had played in the band they formed called Crop at San Francisco punk rock clubs in the late Seventies. Ivan had previously played drums in The Situations. Crop was Andrew Nahem, Ivan Nahem, Mark C. and Tom Paine. The latter two had roadied for The Situations. Ivan, Mark and Tom moved to New York City in 1980. Displeased with the direction of the band in the new location, Ivan left to form Carnival Crash with Norman Westberg (who had auditioned for the band at Mark’ s loft), as well as Ivan’ s longtime friend John Griffin Morrisey. Carnival Crash split up while recording in the studio and Ivan released the eponymous single Ivan X (“Edge of Night” b/w “Telltale Heart”). Mark and Tom subsequently formed Live Skull. Norman Westberg joined Swans.

Andrew then moved to New York City and the brothers began rehearsing together in the basement of a rental at 9th and C in the East Village. The band debuted as Tension at the Speed Trials at White Columns in 1983. Reviews were positive for the 25 minute performance of “All Wound Up” with a drum machine, guitar, effects and vocals. Tension went into Noise New York to record that song with Jonathan Prosser.

Claire Lawrence-Slater was added on bass and eventually Michael Jio on drums. They began playing around the East Village clubs, rehearsing in the Honeymoon Killers studio on 4th Street. Claire left the band,going on to play with Honeymoon Killers and Ultra-Huge. She was replaced by bass virtuoso Marc Sloan.

The band went to Martin Bisi's studio to record the first album in 1986. After the album came out, Michael Shockley replaced Michael Jio.

The next recording with Martin Bisi was the EP “Hotel California,” featuring an eight-minute cover of the Eagles song, a deconstruction and salute to their roots by the Nahem brothers, who grew up in northern California. It also featured their signature song, “The Grind.”

As the band gained popularity in the East Village scene they came to the attention of Hilly Kristal at CBGB. Before long, they were playing as headliners on Friday and Saturday nights. This led to the album recorded live at CBGB, called The Blood of the Kid. Hilly Kristal was a big fan of the band and the record, both vinyl and CD, came out on the CBGB/Celluloid label.

This was a high point for the band as they were playing clubs such as Cat Club, the Ritz, The Bottom Line, and went on the road to venues in New Jersey and points south.

Expelled was the final studio LP, again recorded with Martin Bisi. The band played its final performance was in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1990.

A collection of best pieces was released as Past Tense (Sacrifice) in 1994.

Reception

All products were critically acclaimed, although critics had a hard time categorizing the band. Spin: “Then there are the bands who aren’ t part of any movement. They are the leading edge of the underground... Ritual Tension make noncommercial music outside of even punk’ s accepted norms. It takes some listening to figure out how to hear their sound.” Melody Maker: “This is music at the end of its tether, trapped, bored, dangerous... Magnificent. ”Reflex: “All three records are indispensable. This is modern without training wheels.” New York Times: “The rhythm section is fluid but packs a punch, and Andrew Nahem’s guitar work is distinctive and full of energy.” Away From the Pulsebeat: “Odd that shallow folk think of them as a ‘ noise’ band, considering the razortight precision of the rhythm team... Just lovely.” Trouser Press: “Recorded in 1988, the excellently self-produced Expelled is the finest display yet of the band's offbeat musicianship. The dissonance is so vibrantly arranged and performed that it actually becomes catchy.”

The band was particularly critically well received in Europe, although plans for a European tour fell through.

Other Band Member Activities

Marc Sloan has played extensively with many collaborators, including Elliott Sharp’ s Carbon, Rhys Chatham, False Prophets and Reed Ghazala. He currently works with drummer Simon Fishburn in Forever Moonlight. http://www.marcsloan.net/

Michael Shockley has played in The Shockley Brothers, Sweet Lizard Illtet, Big Hat No Cattle, Confunktion Junction. He lives in Lewes, DE.

Andrew Nahem has tried to avoid playing music in the ensuing years, with limited success, doing the odd collaboration or film score.

Ivan Nahem has published stories, essays and poems in various magazines. He was the founder/editor of the now-defunct Yoga Teacher Magazine (www.yogateachermag.com). He has made two appearances with Marc Sloan at Manhattan clubs, most recently January 14, 2016. He is currently working with Michael Jung of Alice Donut on remixing the Tension song “All Wound Up” from the Noise New York session, as well as songs from converted master tapes of Carnival Crash.

Discography

• I Live Here, LP, sacrifice records, 1984
• Hotel California, EP, Sacrifice Records, 1985
• The Blood of the Kid, Live at CBGB, Celluloid/CBGB Records, 1986
• Expelled, Sacrifice Records, 1988
• Past Tense, Sacrifice Records, 1990

External links

• Discogs Profile
• http://shalom-art.com/artwork/1694837_Rivington_Sculpture_Garden_Ritual.html
• LastFM Profile