Profile: Radio Massacre International

Radio Massacre International is a trio of English musicians (Duncan Goddard, Steve Dinsdale, Gary Houghton) known for their extended concerts of epic aural excursions. Their performances are largely improvised and often veer off into areas dictated by mood, circumstance or whim. RMI's recorded output reflects the diversity and complexity of this work, which is often compared to that of the Berlin School of cosmic music that emerged in Germany during the 1970s. But RMI is not simply re-creating the music of this era, but rather further exploring and contemplating the expressional mode and the instruments that made it possible - in hopes of realizing new ideas. RMI's musical relaizations are lengthy, atmospheric, dense compositions owing much to the inspiration of the moment during improvisation. On the medium of the live performance space, Steve Dinsdale offers some insight, "...there is an immediacy that is captured when music is happening live in the here and now. Musicians behave differently when they are on the spot and improvising rather than playing through a rehearsed piece. This is exaggerated when there is an audience there too".

"Berlin School" references are common, but Dinsdale feels that RMI offers something else, "...our influences are more universal than that... we simply see it as working with an established form the way you would if Jazz or Folk was your thing. As long as you come across with a strong personality of your own there's no more to be said. I think RMI are readily identifiable and distinguishable from everyone else". RMI's musical relaizations are lengthy, atmospheric, dense realizations owing much to the inspiration of the moment during live improvisation. On the medium of the live performance space, Dinsdale offers some insight, "...there is an immediacy that is captured when music is happening live in the here and now. Musicians behave differently when they are on the spot and improvising rather than playing through a rehearsed piece. This is exaggerated when there is an audience there too".

The group is known for their part in preserving Europe's Electronic Music scene with legendary performances as part of the KLEM Dag, E-Live, Alfa Centauri and EMMA festivals and concerts for the Jodrell Bank, National Space Centre, Hampshire Jam and Awakenings series. At home in the concerthall, RMI performances are described as made up of, "...complex, gradually developing sequencer patterns, otherworldly atmospherics, analog synthesizers and soaring guitar work". .

Radio Massacre International's stateside concert debut happened in November 2002 at the ProgWest festival held in Claremont, CA; Followed by their East-Coast appearance in Philadelphia at The Gatherings Concert Series on 16 November 2002. Immediately following this performance, RMI played on into the night with a live in-studio radio concert on the 11.17.02 broadcast of STAR'S END. Their album: Solid States is an audio document of their bi-coastal 2002 tour of the USA, including the track "nov(embers)" recorded live on STAR'S END. A previously unreleased excerpt from their 11.17.02 on-air STAR'S END concert appears on the STAR'S END 30th Anniversary Anthology CD. Radio Massacre Int'l returned to Philadelphia on 8 May 2004 for a performance at The Gatherings Concert Series, followed by an in-studio radio concert live on the 05.09.04 broadcast of STAR'S END. Radio Massacre International played in Philadelphia at The Gatherings Concert Series on 17 November 2007 and then later (taped for broadcast) on the 11.18.07 edition of STAR'S END - and again on 17 April 2010 at The Gatherings and then later (taped for broadcast) on the 04.18.10 edition of STAR'S END. RMI returned to Philadelphia on Saturday 18 May 2013 for another concert at The Gatherings, followed by a live to air radio concert on the 05.19.13 broadcast of STAR'S END.

Radio Massacre International - live on STAR'S END 17 November 2002 .   Radio Massacre International - live on STAR'S END 9 May 2004 . Radio Massacre International - taped for broadcast 14 November 2007 Radio Massacre International - taped for broadcast 14 April 2010 Radio Massacre International - Live on STAR'S END 05.19.13 Steve Dinsdale (RMI) Duncan Goddard (RMI) Gary Houghton (RMI)

STAR'S END 30th Anniversary Anthology CD To mark 30 years of continuous broadcast of STAR'S END, WXPN is releasing the STAR'S END 30th Anniversary Anthology CD. This double CD contains over 120 minutes of live music from 12 renowned artists. The unique performances were culled from on-air in-studio radio concerts by some of our community's greatest talents. Included on the disc are previously unreleased live selections donated by: The Ministry of Inside Things, Orbital Decay, Ian Boddy, AirSculpture, Radio Massacre International, Robert Rich, Rudy Adrian, Jonn Serrie, Jeff Pearce, Saul Stokes and Steve Roach. STAR'S END 30th Anniversary CD Anthology Duncan Goddard phoned in from the UK on the 5 June 2005 broadcast of STAR'S END and spoke about the genesis of Emissaries by RMI and the album's connection to STAR'S END. Along with background on the concept of RMI's performances, Goddard also gave some insight into what feelings he has on the spirituality he experiences while at the center of his band's profound aural explorations. Listen to the 13 minute interview excerpt by clicking the link below: Duncan Goddard: interview . . . Prior to the April 2010 concerts, Radio Massacre International member Steve Dinsdale came to Philadelphia to co-host the 02.28.10 broadcast of STAR'S END Ambient Radio. Steve brought along with him some previously unreleased RMI and solo material, as well as several albums that had been musically influential to him at significant points in his life. During each of the six station breaks, Steve and show host Chuck van Zyl would briefly discuss the music being presented on the evening's program. The experience was interesting in that while artists usually cite their significant albums or concert experiences in press releases or interviews, here on this broadcast we were actually spending an entire night playing these works back to back, which resulted in a more complete understanding of the artist and his music. Listen to excerpts of the 02.28.10 broadcast of STAR'S END by clicking the link below: Steve Dinsdale: interview excerpts (off site) . . . Radio Massacre International - Live at St. Clements 7 May 2011 (Part 1) Radio Massacre International - Live at St. Clements 7 May 2011 (Part 2) Selected Reviews : Radio Massacre International The God of Electricity (2001) "...screeching effects producing an uncompromising edge which is prevalent at many stages throughout the album. This subsides to leave subtle effects, beautifully recorded and the dimensions of the soundstage are immense. The effects are marshalled into a discordant sequence which gathers pace and stretches into a trademark sequence run..." - Graham Getty Zabriskie Point (2001) "...Without any rhythm, harmony or melody to speak of, the listener becomes absorbed and lost in RMI's reference-less sonic spell. Dark analogue synth tones colour the mood, carefully played electric piano notes speak of place and the ever present processed guitar, wailing, churning, moaning and breathing its accents and leads stretches the elasticity of the session". - Chuck van Zyl Upstairs Downstairs (2000) "...the sequences start to really flow, multilayered and complex they weave around the effects and mellotron touches. Searing synth motifs and scorching guitar, pitched perfectly into the mix, then vie for dominance. The tempo is then upped as a more forceful sequence grabs the attention. It lasts for an all too short period before more effects and textures grab the focus. The sound field becomes intense, building tension as the sound of distant explosions and wailing sirens fill the air..." - Graham Getty Borrowed Atoms (1998) "...plenty of material which relies heavily on complex multi-layered sequencing. And when I say complex, I mean complex! These guys are producing patterns which even after numerous plays are difficult to fully appreciate..." - Graham Getty Organ Harvest (1998) "This album is a slight departure for RMI, in so much that it is the most structured and composed release to date. A conscious decision to display versatility perhaps, but it also serves to show how spontaneous ingenuity and composed reflection can to be combined to produce EM of faith inducing proportions". - Graham Getty Knutsford In May (1997) "...a beguiling nature which cajoles the listener into pondering matters related to time and space. The sequential structures could almost be the pin point reference map of a star strewn galaxy, while the sublime mellotron and ethereal guitar work weave a nebulous cloud of sound which constantly changes shape and focus..." - Graham Getty Republic (1996) "Each of the three pieces begin with a drifty, floating section followed by mellotron washes and/or electric guitar solos over intricately crafted sequencer patterns, giving way then to a dramatic closing section. The whole experience is very cinematic in that while listening one can easily visualize any number of possibilities". - Chuck van Zyl Frozen North (1997) "...This album is not merely a recreation to Tangerine Dream at their peak, it's more a testament to RMI's ability to capture the spirit and excitement of that era and inject it into their own work". - Graham Getty Related Links: The Radio Massacre International Official website: www.radiomassacreinternational.com Cuneiform Records RMI webpage : www.cuneiformrecords.com/bandshtml/rmi.html STAR'S END Reviews of music by RMI Centaur Discs Ltd webpage: www.centaur-discs.com Radio Massacre International at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia on Saturday 18 May 2013: www.thegatherings.org Artists Index