Gate: Fear Of Music 3-Sided LP (Fabrica)

We’ve long wondered about this release. An obscure, if not impossible to be had tape from late ‘80s New Zealand, Fear of Music is an origin story nestled among many experimental rarities from that period. Props to Fabrica Records for releasing this 3LP.

Now that we have it, this is the stripped bare home recorded version of Gate, even for those already familiar with Michael Morley’s raw experiments with The Dead C. and his various Xpressway releases. Compared to the long form widely distributed Gate CDs on Table of the Elements (1994’s The Dew Line and 1996’s The Monoloake) and the more mangled and over driven releases on Majora (1992’s Metric and Guitar), these recordings consist of a variety of experimental studies in guitar, abstract noise, drum machine and tape manipulation. One can hear ideas and themes later taken up on future full lengths, most notably the primitive-sampling and cassette tape experiments echoed on 2016’s Saturday Night Fever LP (MIE Music), which was one of our shop’s best sellers that year.

From the one-sheet:

"First ever reissue on any format of the debut ... from Gate, long-running solo  outfit of Dead C's Michael Morley ... For 30 years Morley has maneuvered Gate    through guitar squall, electronica, drone, and acoustic ventures, but on "Fear of Music" we're treated to smeared guitar-based noise rock in the tradition of early Sonic Youth, Total, [etc.].  Alternately sprawling and propulsive, shifting in and out of focus with drum machine and concrete elements topped off with Morley's unmistakable croon, this gem of the New Zealand underground is presented anew in all its hazy luster. Edition of 300 in gatefold sleeve with download card included. Mastered for vinyl by the incomparable Tim Stollenwerk.

* If interested in exploring Morley’s discography beyond The Dead C. and Gate, please consider 2 Foot Flame, one of Matador’s most interesting releases. Together with Jean Smith (of Mecca Normal) and Peter Jefferies (seek out all of his work), 2 Foot Flame merges song and abstraction in very interesting ways, as does Morley’s Wreck Small Speakers On Expensive Stereos, the incredible project he had w/ Richard Ram. Ajax released an affordable WSSOES CD in 1993. Please check it out..