One of the most celebrated bands to come out of the Los Angeles "Paisley Underground" scene of the '80s, the Dream Syndicate were different than most of their peers. While bands such as the Rain Parade and the Three O'Clock owed a debt to psychedelia, and the Long Ryders and Green on Red were informed in different ways by roots rock, the Dream Syndicate clearly adored the intricate wordplay and edgy energy of Highway 61 Revisited-era Bob Dylan, as well as the noisy guitars and bracing darkness of the Velvet Underground. Dream Syndicate leader Steve Wynn's initial influences may have been clear, but he was a strong enough songwriter to give the group material that stood on its own, and over the course of their run, the Dream Syndicate took their music in a number of bracing directions…
Tony Conrad is an American multimedia and experimental artist. He is musically known in the 60's for his abrasive violin drones and collaboration in the American "Dream Syndicate". In 1972 he visited the krautrock band Faust at Wumme and recorded a first album with them called "Outside The Dream Syndicate". The album is a vast catalogue of shimmering drones for violin, accompanied by percussive minimalist pulses and moving bass guitar lines. The result is tripped out, engaging the listener in strange rituals (almost buzzing "raga" dreamy sounds). This intriguing album is now a true classic of contemporary music and progressive rock. This one captures the essence of minimalism music and the energy of rock. To be honest, this album looks like more to Tony Conrad's explorations in experimentation sounds and insistent droning performances than Faust's hybrid rocking universe.
Brand-new CD titled Live Through the Past, Darkly featuring all never-before released live audio spanning the band's entire career from 1983 to 2023 including Karl Precoda, Paul Cutler, Jason Victor with Steve Wynn, Dennis Duck and Mark Walton. Plus, special guest Vicki Peterson of the Bangles on a searing 15-minute version of "John Coltrane Stereo Blues" from the band's recent London appearance. Coupled with a DVD that includes a documentary features a documentary and previously unreleased one hour 1983 live concert.