Lou Reed's 1975 album "Metal Machine Music" is considered by some to be an early precursor to noise rock. But to some it's just considered noise—a dramatic departure from Reed's hazy folk rock with The Velvet Underground. Conspiracy theorists claim the double album, subtitled "The Amine β Ring," was produced to piss off his label RCA. Bottom line: the music is difficult.
So who's up for a challenge? On April 23 and 24, Reed will reprise MMM at the Gramercy Theatre. You can check his website for a preview. You'll have to let us know how it goes.
We recently chatted with Reed about reviving the difficult album and, for the hell of it, his favorite Neapolitan pizza joint
In your own words, describe Metal Machine Music's "deep night of noise?"
Longer pieces made up of different processed sounds.
Can you equate the show with any modern electronic acts, or will it be totally off the grid?
[In 1975] we put something out that was equal to the creation of the universe. You can find that on the website [editor's note: the site includes a great video collection, including Reed's classic appearance at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards]. Of course I always listen to John Zorn. Also, Black Dice and Holy Fuck.
Did you catch any of the Coachella performances on the web?
No, we were in rehearsal. Well, I did catch a little bit of Antony [of Antony and the Johnsons] on YouTube.
You're quite the NYC food fan. What is your favorite late-night bite?
If they have anything left, Una Pizza Napoletana. It's great pizza, but they run out. After that, Totonno's in Brooklyn. But they run out of pizza too.
Wouldn't you say that's a good method to run a restaurant? Focus on the ingredients. And when you're done, you're done.
Yup. They're really done when they have no more crust.
So is crust the most-important part of pizza?
The sauce has to be thin.
Your favorite downtown restaurant?
I haven't had a chance to check out too many places, but one of my favorite restaurants is The Little Owl. Great food. Great service. Lovely location. Very romantic. Great chef.
Have you had the pork chop?
The pork chop is quite wonderful. As is the arctic char.
What other people are saying...
saraht from Cobble Hill, Brooklyn - April 23, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Who knew that Lou Reed was such a foodie!
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