Rapeman

Rapeman
Rapeman circa 1988
Background information
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Post-hardcore, noise rock
Years active 1987–1989
Labels
Associated acts
Past members

Rapeman was an American noise rock band founded in 1987 and disbanded in 1989. It consisted of Steve Albini (formerly of Big Black) on guitar and vocals, David Wm. Sims (formerly of Scratch Acid) on bass and Rey Washam (formerly of Scratch Acid and Big Boys) on drums. Their sound was also described as post-hardcore.[1]

History

Rapeman was formed in 1987. The band's name was controversial. In an interview, Albini reported that "'Rapeman' is ... the title character in a Japanese comic book that I had come across through a friend of mine. The comic book is just a total mind-bender. There's a whole genre of comics in Japan, rape stories where women are raped in really graphic detail for whatever reason".[2] Albini and Washam became "sort of obsessed" with the comic, and named their new group after the titular antihero.

Rapeman's performances would often be the target of protesters who felt that the band was mocking or even encouraging rape and violence against women. Albini rejected such criticisms, arguing that punk ideology is generally very sympathetic to feminism, and stated that he feels that "[i]t is imperative for an artist to be honest, to respect the creative impulse, wherever that may go. Anything less is just decoration or inconsequential humming. Sometimes the resulting art is repugnant, but I believe the world is better for it, that it is made richer by having those thoughts explored".[3]

Rapeman's initial 1988 releases included the Budd EP, the "Hated Chinee" 7" single and their sole album, Two Nuns and a Pack Mule. All were originally released on Touch and Go Records in the US, Blast First! in the UK and Au Go Go in Australia. Rapeman left Blast First! in 1990 after Albini had an argument with the label over the release of a Big Black record. Touch and Go started distributing in the UK in 1992 and re-released Rapeman's records.

The band's final release before their breakup, the "Inki's Butt Crack" 7" single, was issued in 1989 as part of the Sub Pop Singles Club.

Later projects

Albini later played bass with Flour before going on to form Shellac. Sims reunited with ex-Scratch Acid vocalist David Yow to form the Jesus Lizard (with Albini recording their albums).

Discography

Studio albums

Singles and EPs

  • Budd EP (1988, Touch and Go/Blast First!/Au Go Go) UK Indie No. 2[4]
  • "Hated Chinee" 7" single (1988, Touch and Go/Blast First!/Au Go Go)
  • "Inki's Butt Crack" 7" single (1989, Sub Pop Singles Club)

References

  1. ↑ Greene Jr., James (June 26, 2010). "The Weakest Cut: Siamese Dream". Crawdaddy Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2010. [...]This is understandable, considering what end of the spectrum Albini hails from. The guy once fronted a post-hardcore outfit called Rapeman and has written too many scathing punk indictments of mainstream society to count. [...]
  2. ↑ Interview with Steve Albini (1994-05-06). "Steve discusses the naming of Big Black and Rapeman". Action Park, quoting Rock Names by Adam Dolgins. Archived from the original on 2007-05-05. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  3. ↑ "Steve Albini talks to LISTEN: "I try to be an ally in feminism"". LISTEN. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
  4. 1 2 Lazell, Barry (1997) Indie Hits 1980 - 1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4
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