Lou Reed's 1975 release Metal Machine Music--often referred to as “MMM"--is one of the most notorious and misunderstood albums in rock history. Its four sides of guitar feedback were not well received by Reed fans used to songs and vocals. The album was critically panned and withdrawn three weeks after release. In the years that followed, the album gradually acquired cult status, as others listened to the album at length and digested its contents. MMM spawned categories such as “noise" and “industrial music," and has exerted a huge effect ever since.
In 2002, German-born saxophonist Ulrich Krieger transcribed MMM for the ten-member, Berlin-based ensemble Zeitkratzer. Lou Reed said he thought the task was impossible, but when he heard the results he agreed to appear with Zeitkratzer in a live performance of MMM in Berlin. Since then, Krieger has left Zeitkratzer and moved to California. In 2008, Reed and Krieger formed Metal Machine Trio--MM3--along with electronics wizard Sarth Calhoun. AAJ Contributor and London correspondent John Eyles spoke with Krieger recently, about bringing MMM to life with MM3, as well as other recent activities.
Check out Ulrich Krieger: Bringing Metal Machine Music to Life at AAJ today!
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