Legendary experimental pop band Psychic TV were the featured headliner for the first day of Berserktown 3 at Teragram Ballroom. They were led, of course, by pandrogynous frontperson Genesis P-Orridge, the polymorphous artist who has recently added Marc Jacobs fashion model and confuser of Jerry Seinfeld to an amazing lifetime portfolio that includes co-inventing industrial music as a key member of Throbbing Gristle.
The Friday, Aug. 12, show was really special because the current incarnation of Psychic TV (co-conspired with drummer and artist Edley ODowd) chose to delay the presentation of new album Alienist in order to perform their first album, Force the Hand of Chance, in its entirety.
Helping bring the hallowed 1982 debut (recently reissued on vinyl) to life were actress-comedian Margaret Cho (on backing vocals for a sweet “Stolen Kisses”), Sean Ragon from Cult of Youth on trumpet, and Los Angeles performance-art/body-modification legend Ron Athey, reciting the “Message From the Temple,” one of pop music's greatest inspirational speeches (originally delivered by Mr. Sebastian on the album). Oh, and everybody's favorite famous funnyman, Neil Hamburger, warmed up the crowd.
Gustavo Turner