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Ben Miller / degeneration
Miller's solo performance explores the "prepared guitar" as a form of auditory degeneration. This mulitphonic instrument has two humbucker pickups (bridge/nut) and three contact pickups (headstock/bridge/body). The guitar is placed on its back with its six strings strung approximately one fifth below standard tuning with intonation more often arbitrary. The strings are excited by metal slides, springs, combs, violin bow, eBow, etc. and "prepared" with various capos, binder clips, screws, and other found objects. Retaining a stereo output, Miller adds a score of analog and digital electronics, Casio SK1, cassette tape, radio, and the liberal use of a Bixby tailpiece. String-sounds also occur below the bridge, above the nut, and from the guitar body itself. A guitar pick and the traditional means of a "neck with frets" is rarely implemented. Approaches to the instrument extend from subtle ambiance to violent sonic outbursts with the end result being a textured, layered, multiphonic soundscape.
First constructed in 1982, "The Zoo" (a deconstructed Gibson Kalamazoo) was converted to stereo by placing the second pickup facing down over the first fret. At that time, Miller was using the instrument in the Michigan art band; GKW . This group continued for twelve years with several cassette releases. Miller honed a more atmospheric approach with Chicago's Dirty Old Man River from 1997-2000, playing on "The Saddest Movie Screen" and "Ageless" (Radial Records).
In 2000, Miller began solo performance as Ben Miller/degeneration and released INTERCOM on his own Living Records label.
"If new expressionists closed their eyes and painted what they saw then Ben Miller must be taping shut his ears and playing what he hears; blood thrashing through arteries, nerves popping, synapses burning,..doors knocking, feet bounding up echoed stairways...Formerly a part of the 'anti-rock band' Destroy All Monsters, Miller takes the 'anti' idea a step further."
Melissa Giannini, METRO TIMES 2001.
After leaving Chicago to the NYC-metro area in 2003, Miller has released 3 more Degeneration CDRs; OVER AND OUT, LAYER (Picture Music specifically recorded for brother Roger's artwork) and SIRENS OF PHOBOS. (see PRODUCTS FOR SALE)
Several releases are anticipated for 2010; "LIVE 2000-9" / Tigerasylum Records, "Islands under Eyelid" / Gulcher Records, a release with brother Roger as M2 on Table of Elements, and a live trio set by Ben, Roger and Matt Weston on Hikikomori Records.
T-shirts are available. The hi-quality iron on image is an extreme close-up of the instrument that includes a 1979 collage by Ann Arbor, MI artist Leanne Mahoney - a part of the guitar from the very beginning. Shirts are 100% cotton, Light Gray, Medium & Large. Be the first on your block! Only $8! Free S & H!
BEN MILLER / DEGENERATION MySpace
Contact Ben Miller at info@benmiller.info
© 2003 Ben Miller
