When Purling Hiss’ Mike Polizze released his second solo album, Around Sound, in 2025, KLOF Mag’s Danny Neill declared “Where he travels next may be as hard to predict as ever, but if the results are as fine as this, then we must follow him.” Well, the first stop-off after that review was Philadelphia, PA at the Pageant: Soloveev gallery. The evening, presented by Open Mouth Records, was a shared bill featuring Strapping Fieldhands’ Jacy Webster, Roger Clark Miller (Mission of Burma 5eva!) and, “right in the goddamn middle, Body/Head’s Bill Nace + Purling Hiss’ Mike Polizze faced off in a taishogoto/guitar duo for the very first time.” For those wondering, the Japanese taishogoto, is often crudely described as a cross between a guitar and typewriter.
As mentioned before by Glenn Kimpton, experimental guitarist Bill Nace, is a collaborator at heart, having worked with Kim Gordon on Body/Head, as well as Thurston Moore and Chris Corsano, among others. On 2023’s Glass Band (Three Lobed Recordings) his input brought a fresh bent to guitarist Steve Gunn and drummer/synth technician John Truscinski’s already established sound.
Such is the beauty of technology that Mike pressed record on his iPhone before taking to the stage, allowing this special evening to now be released digitally, and on one-sided vinyl via Sea Note Records on October 23rd.
Live at Pageant is described as an unhindered exhibition of full-spectrum free string playing in its rawest form. Wild molten rock to keep noise freaks spinning for eternity, calling on the ghosts of Branca and Hendrix. Listen to an excerpt below: