2004
2006
2010
. . .
My favorite band has disbanded. I feel as if a friend has died, which is strange. Bands disband all the time, and I usually don’t feel a thing. But here I am, pacing my room, looking at old photographs, and generally mourning. That’s not typical of me – but Ludicra was no typical band.
In vulgar terms, Ludicra combined sadness, defiance, and power like few could. In meaningful terms, Ludicra was the real deal. A band without pretense, it made music, lyrics, and artwork – all top-notch – as pure expression. If a city could sound like a band, it was Ludicra. In the band’s hands, San Francisco’s sickness and beauty took sound. I was fortunate enough to live there and have Ludicra soundtrack my life with unflinching empathy.
Ludicra did not fit into boxes. Many reviewers, myself included, failed at language when describing the band. Ludicra was just Ludicra.
The records were strong; the shows were transcendent. Time after time I watched the band whip up crowds into a frothing frenzy. People got possessed by Ludicra. The sound made people do things – shake, clutch themselves, shove the nearest bystander. When the band was on, you knew it. Your body tuned into a different frequency. Ludicra filled you with black electricity.
Not enough people heard Ludicra. Near the end, the band finally started touring. The last record came out on Profound Lore, and people finally started caring. But to what end? It’s tough to take 12 years to escape local band status. During that time, the members lived lean. Each time I saw them, they had worry in their eyes and more lines on their faces.
But they were never anything less than some of the most genuine, quirky, warm, and talented people I’ve ever met. They were themselves, and they were good at that. I have never heard anyone who saw Ludicra live say that the band half-assed it. In fact, I’ve only heard otherwise. Ludicra usually stole the show and became people’s new favorite band.
The music: incredible. The memories: indelible. Thank you, Ludicra, for all that you’ve given. Our lives are better for it.
. . .
Ludicra – “In Fever”
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. . .
fuck. had a feeling when aesop closed the hearse for a week that this might be happening. glad i got to see them at least once.
Shame … one of the best bands around … So I guess I was extremely lucky in catching them twice in their last spring tour in Europe (in my country and at Roadburn)
Sadness. Totally. I can only wish those individuals the very best in their life endeavors. They have been paramount in my metallic tastes taking the strange new direction they’ve taken over the past year.
Shite, that’s sad alright. Wearing my Ludicra shirt today by coincidence. Glad I got to see them a few months back. Some band. Heard them first on a tape from a buddy about 8 years ago – Teen Cthulu on the other side – unbelievably good stuff. All the best to all involved in the band. I look forward to hearing a few new projects out of it!
OK, so I read the headline and cried a little bit and then listened to this song like four times:
“I went to the doctor n’guess what he told me
Guess what he told me
He said girl u better try to have fun
No matter what you’ll do
But he’s a fool
`Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you”
^this.
This is so lame. Ludicra has made my life better in the best way. Thank you for making this as big a deal as it should be. I work in a kitchen with one other cook most the time, and Ludicra has been at the top of the play list for two months. I saw them in Olympia, WA twice and it was incredible both times.
Missed my one chance to see them due to Cobbet’s appendicitis. At least I managed to get a shirt from them that night. I’ll be spinning them at work all day today. This is some sad news for sure, I just hope everyone in the band is okay.
I just discovered them because of Profound Lore, and started exploring their incredible back catalog. Maybe things started going too well for them to continue making this kind of music? I can only hope that’s the reason. This is really too bad.
Well said, Cosmo. Ludicra has made some amazing contributions and admirable work that will not fade.
This is actually the first time I’ve heard this band, and I’m immediately disappointed that I’ll never see them live. Small consolation: at least I now have a back catalogue to explore…
Truly a sad day, they were one of my favorites of the last decade…at least they went out on an insanely high note!
I discovered Ludicra years ago because of Ross Sewage’s other band, Impaled. Finally got to see them play at the Alehorn Of Power festival two years ago with Bible Of The Devil, The Lord Weird Slough Feg, Hammers Of Misfortune, Superchrist, and Music Hates You. What a killer performance! They won some of my friends who came to the show as well. Also saw them play an exceptionally ferocious performance last year at Scion Rock Fest in Columbus, Ohio in between killer sets by Black Anvil and Absu despite the jet lag, as well as a small Wrigleyville club with Locrian and some really corny symphonic black metal band from the suburbs. John Cobbett wasn’t in the lineup though, but Christy Cather capably did both of their leads, and I was able to witness Aesop’s wild drumming more up close. It’s a shame that they didn’t get to do one last tour before they called it quits, but it’s their call, not ours. R.I.P. thanks for the cool memories from a true blue collar metal band.
I also won’t forget during Absu’s set at Scion, Laurie Sue and Christy were doing the grimmest invisible oranges that night.
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
dge.
Seriously sucks. Hope everyone in the band is living well, may they ride rock fury to Valhalla.
Thanx Cosmo, that’s spot on from beginning to end… They are and will always remain my favourite band as well, I also feel like I’m mourning right now… I was so glad to finally see them live and meet them after all those years, they’re such amazing people… Eventually I was able to see ‘m 4 times, and the last gig of the tour in Karlsruhe, Germany now seems to have been their last ever apparently… The memories of those times we spent together will indeed be indelible…
I’m disappointed but I can’t say I’m really surprised. For awhile (even with the release of the Tenant) I’ve had that strange feeling about them.. the same feeling you get when you near the end of a relationship. Critics loved them, but as far as I could tell the the general metal populace at large (even their supposed “hipster” fanbase) never gave two shits about them. Seems to be either you were a hardcore Ludicra fan or not a fan at all. I am glad I got to see them both they came to New York. “The door is closed,” rest in peace.
I’m happy I got to see them when they came to Brooklyn. Shame it was only once! They will certainly be missed.
Well this is really upsetting.
So much left unfinished, so much left undone.
Difficult to describe… I agree. But if there was ever a time I was asked to give a short description I’d refer to them as “the American Enslaved” – not just for their out and out progressive tendencies, but because I honestly believed they would have just as long and varied a career, on their own terms.
Sad times.
FUCK HIPSTER METAL.
Agreed. Stop wanking over this trash.
you guys really don’t know shit. These guys/gals were the real deal and sacrificed more for their art than anyone I’ve ever met.
Including the band. Burnin’ on the pyre hahaha…
I think I understand where these two are coming from. I mean, I generally consider anyone born after December 31, 1969 who says they’re into heavy metal to be an absolute poseur.
Especially if they are a hipster/scenester who got into to metal with such satanic-claptrap train-jumpers as Possessed, Celtic Frost, Bathory and the comic book German thrashers like Destruction, Kreator and Sodom. I mean, I remember laughing hysterically at “In the Sign of Evil” when it came out because all the members of Sodom still had short hair on the back cover! They obviously had just discovered Venom and were sucking at the teat of the trend.
So yeah…pansy. Pussy. Candy-pantsed. Sissy. Hipster. Scenester. Poseur.
I get that.
wow orochi, so edgy and subversive…how troo of you. Some people like things you don’t. It’s a big world, get used to it.
FUCK SCENE POLICE
NOOO! I completely agree though – this is the first time I’ve an actual, emotional reaction to a band breaking up.
this is terrible. i love this band. im glad i got to see em a bunch of times,amazing live band. one of a kind,powerful,emotional music..totally the real deal. RIP..one of my favorite bands
and “hipster”?? what kind of idiot thinks Ludicra is hipster metal? all the people in this band have nothing to do with anything hipster.
Bugger all. Never had a chance to see them, and now I never will. My only consolation is getting ahold of one of the last remaining t-shirts. Head over to ludicra.org — they’re blowing out the remaining merch for $5.
…spoke too soon, they got bombarded after the announcement and ran out of some stuff before they could update the website. So much for my consolation shirt.
Sucks…they were a great band
Throughout late 2009 and early 2010 I was caught in the throes of a potent depression, something I had not experienced before. Though I was so distracted I barely saw it coming, in April Krallice embarked on a short tour (the so-called decancellation tour) with Ludicra. Hearing their music every night and interacting with the wonderful personalities in this band gave me some scope I don’t think I would’ve received otherwise. In short, I don’t think it would be unfair to say that Ludicra saved my life. Thanks for everything Aesop, Christie, Laurie, John & Ross.
Christy, that is.
Cheers man, I saw your show with Ludicra in Baltimore during that tour, and you all blew us away. Amazing show.
This is too bad, especially considering they just released their best album and finally had support from a great label. But the only constant in life is change.
I will never understand how five 100% working-class joes– three of whom are past 40– are even remotely hipster.
This band quickly came to mean a lot to me, a dude who isn’t into much in the way of black metal. Seeing the Decancellation Tour stop in Baltimore with Krallice and Tombs was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my young life. There was a sense of unity there I’ve yet to feel at a metal show. 150 people packed into the back room of an art gallery, going all out but still getting along.
You nailed it Cosmo– an unpretentious and underrated band. John, Aesop, Ross, Christy, Laurie: thank you.
I was at that show, it was the only time I saw Ludicra. I wasn’t that familiar with their material and had seen Krallice and Tombs a few times before, but they absolutely floored me. One of the best shows I’ve seen, at one of the oddest venues.
My sentiments also Cosmo. Words can’t describe how great this band was, both musically and professionally. I’m grateful to have seen them the few times I did. By chance, I even have met and drank with a couple of the members throughout the years – they’re good, intelligent, down to earth, honest, hardworking people. Thank you LUDICRA for all the hard work and contributions you have made throughout the years. RIP.
I just want to state a few things for the record and for myself and on behalf of Christy. We are both devastated, shocked, unable to comprehend why this has happened. Neither of us had any part or say in this decision and we can’t begin to express how disappointed and dismissed we feel. Thank you to all, without the fans there would have not been ludicra. -laurie
this was posted on the ludicra facebook page about an hour ago- all does not seem well…
Laurie posted on her own Facebook with the full statement but we need to add her though.
whoa..that’s a heavy comment laurie. im sorry its like that. thanx for your wonderful music
Oh crap, one of the best US metal bands for sure. RIP Ludicra, hope the future bodes well.
I am just sad. Nothing else to say, but thank you Ludicra for such great music!!!
Does anybody remember the February 1996 issue of Spin Magazine? The “Satan’s Cheerleaders” article featuring a wacky black metal band from Norway called Mayhem, which Ludicra so obviously and painstakingly styled themselves after? Before this article came out nothing in their lifestyle was even remotely metal. These people all had short hair and were basically just a bunch of asshole bike messenger punk rockers passing genital warts back and forth to each other’s girlfriends. They treated that Spin article like the Holy Grail, and within a year had sprouted new long hair and a new metal look.
Fuck this hipster metal shit!! Don’t let mediocre rip-off bands take themselves so seriously, people please!!
Absurdity
fuck you, stone.
…you obviously have not taken the time to listen nor appreciate any of their music. Yes Mayhem is a huge influence to many, however you obviously have no knowledge about Ludicra’s roots and foundations. Look them up and you might be surprised as to their influences and other projects.
Also, screw Spin Magazine.
Actually we do have intimate knowledge of Ludicra’s “roots and foundations,” as well as their “influences and other projects” which is why we felt compelled to mock these pretentious devotionals to the Gods of False Metal. We also have intimate knowledge of their genital warts, which deserves mentioning one more time if only to piss off you fat metal poseurs.
and who are “we?”
Scene police twat
hey Dracula, remember that time you were caught stealing the door money at a local metal show, ripping off local bands? way to support the scene!
it’s cool, you were quite the newcomer back then. you rip off metalheads professionally now.
hella funny how you’re gonna talk all this shit about knowing these folks personally, yet you’re scared to use your real name. it’s easy to hide behind your computer screen and insult people, but i bet you would never say any of this to their faces.
Since it’s relevant down here too, I’ll repost what I said earlier.
I think I understand where these two are coming from. I mean, I generally consider anyone born after December 31, 1969 who says they’re into heavy metal to be an absolute poseur.
Especially if they are a hipster/scenester who got into to metal with such satanic-claptrap train-jumpers as Possessed, Celtic Frost, Bathory and the comic book German thrashers like Destruction, Kreator and Sodom. I mean, I remember laughing hysterically at “In the Sign of Evil” when it came out because all the members of Sodom still had short hair on the back cover! They obviously had just discovered Venom and were sucking at the teat of the trend.
So yeah…pansy. Pussy. Candy-pantsed. Sissy. Hipster. Scenester. Poseur.
I get that.
Fuck you so fucking much, you clueless piece of shit.
wow, are we on youtube ? i had to check the URL right quick.
1996-2011? that’s a long time to stick to the same poser charade. Maybe y’know, regardless of how they got in to black metal, they REALLY got in to it? Which is y’know, what actually matters.
Thanks for cluing me in. Anyone who has formed a band with black metal leanings after 1996 is a poser. You must be one lonely bitter old man and I’m sorry you’re band didn’t work out.
“your”
Amazing unintentional comedy. You’re seriously mad that some people formed a band FIFTEEN YEARS ago after finding out black metal in a music magazine, and hold them to be posers to this day? Because, unlike them, you found about burzum/mayhem from an exclusively metal magazine published in 1993. Huge difference.
Where the fuck did these trolls come from? Must be a slow week over at Blabbermouth.
Cosmo: thank you very much for this recommendation. I must admit I had skipped this band several times, but this post has sparked my curiosity as to how Ludicra sounds. Highly deserved all the praise some readers have given to it. Exceptional music.
It’s amusing that when you listen to metal these days, you’re more likely to offend metalheads than the mainstream.
Metalhead nerd rage makes me laugh. Tear-streaked corpsepaint FTW.
tear-streaked corspepaint..classic. Even grimness has its limits!
Mega bummer. I’m new to Ludicra within the last year or so. “Truth Won’t Set You Free” rapidly rose to becoming one of my favourite metal tracks. Now I’ll never see them play…
great band, very nice people, and one of the best shows at this years roadburn. it’s pitty. here’s the link to the audio stream of their roadburn performance: http://3voor12.vpro.nl/speler/ondemand/44726697#ondemand.44726697
This sucks, big time. I was lucky enough to see them play three times in my life. Once in San Francisco when they were a local act with a couple of records out, and twice on national tour. Fantastic band with unmatched passion and creativity. I thought that The Tenant was simply one of the greatest metal albums ever released, and I thought it held great promise for the future, but I can only speculate that the lack of time, money, and opportunities for advancement must have taken their toll on the band. This is a sad loss for metal, but at least we’ll have their albums to enjoy forever.
Since when did Invisible Oranges fall victim to this “fuck hipster metal” trolling bullshit? Like, this literally happened overnight. WTF?
Man, don’t these trolls ever get sick of trolling?? It’s been YEARS now, dudes. You’re not exactly pushing any boundaries with your “I know more about [blank] than EVERYONE IN THE WORLD” negativity. No one really cares, it’s boring. This is a simple article written by a fan of a band for other fans of that band to read and comment on.
I think I speak on behalf of lots of people when I say that WE REALLY DON’T CARE HOW OLD YOU ARE, HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN LISTENING TO METAL, HOW OBSCURE YOUR TASTES ARE, OR HOW MANY HIPSTERS ARE OUT THERE TRYING TO PRETEND TO LISTEN TO WHAT YOU LISTEN TO. YOU ARE NOT TRVVVE. NO ONE IS TR000.
According to the average internet metal troll, in order to be trvvly TRVVUUE, one would have to be born under a rock in some distant Norwegian cave within an enchanted forest, drinking moonshine whisky that was distilled in a cursed lagoon, eating raw livestock, bathing in ash, carving their self-produced demos – one at a time (limited release) – from petrified wood with their bare hands.
Get over yourselves. We don’t care. We just want to listen to music.
Ludicra rules.
Post of the year.
I concur.
We have mocked these folks to their faces and will do so again at our first opportunity. We have also purchased cream so they could soothe their genital warts, cleaned up vomit from their unkempt hair, retrieved their drunkenly forgotten musical instruments from various rock clubs, reminded them that their rent was due, and assisted them in securing abortions for their unwanted pregnancies. We actually wish these people well but cannot acknowledge this shit band as anything of momentous importance. We are mightily offended that the Ludicra break up is being written about as if an actual human being had died. Go and listen to your metal and be happy but if you want to eulogize dramatically please just stop and play an 8-sided dice game and let the moment pass. And lose some weight you people have really ballooned and we’re embarrassed to look at you.
Aesop?
Oh I get it “Dracula” is a dumped ex-boyfreind with genital warts. And a copy of Spin magazine from 1996. Cool story bro
You guys think this trolling is bad – you should see the comments on Brooklyn Vegan. It’s like everybody who reads that site is five.
Oh yeah BV is a lost cause. The comment thread is the pinnacle of trolling. It’s a wonderful site, one of my favorites, but the comments must be ignored or at least taken with a gigantic grain of salt.
But I like Invisible Oranges for the very reason that you can often read and/or participate in fairly pertinent comment threads without all the relentless trolling, the desperation, the cries for attention…
It’s a shame, those poor east coast kids, having such a hard time finding any joy in life/music.
Hmmm, no one ever assisted me with securing abortions, that would have been really cool.
man,the definition of hipster sure has gotten pretty wide these days it must make real hipsters feel kvlt
I can never get into metal with female screaming or grunting. The music is cool but the vox totally ruin it for me. On the other hand, I think clean female singing can sound very cool in various forms of metal.
This band itself doesn’t strike me as false… but I imagine the crowds at their shows were teeming with repellent, scarf wearing, bespectacled beardos.
Actually:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179092_10150125257088338_81741018337_8057401_4332902_n.jpg
Not that it matters who listens to what.
This comment thread is surely becoming the stuff of legends!
These guys were fucking incredible. They were insanely nice too… about 5 years ago a friend and I were riding trains around the country and he was acting like a total fuckhead. I was determined to see ludicra in portland that night and saved up 10 bucks for the show, he’d been just harrassing people with random obnoxious lines for beer money all night but out of coincidence asked this random lady “hey, you spare any change to get into ludcra?” and it happened to be laurie their singer, and she handed him $20. then he went down the street to buy dope, and got ripped off. I went in, feeling totally ashamed of my friend. but they were better than I ever imagined they would have been…. one of the best bands I’d ever seen. That fucking shriek in Userpent… didn’t imagine the intensity could possibly be captured live, but they sounded above and beyond the whole show
I never payed attention to this band and now they will pass silently into the unknown and quickly forgotten.
Here lies Ludicra, dead and gone
We left our tunes to carry on
Those who loved us, fare thee well
Everyone else can eternally rim our puckered brown starfish in hell
Thanks y’all!!!
-John C.
On that note, I’m closing down comments for this post.