Washington DC native Chester Hawkins has peformed as BLUE SAUSAGE INFANT since 1986. The sound of BSI encompasses brutalist noise, dark drones, pounding neo-tribalism, krautrock-flavored psychedelia, cut-ups, and bleak ambience. Instrumentation involves a mix of electronics and organics: Everything from synths and digital signal processors to squeaky dog toys, scrap aluminum, and electric toothbrushes. The idea is to induce trance states by any means necessary.
BSI has produced 14 full releases under the Intangible Arts imprint and has contributed to compilations across the USA and elsewhere. Collaborators include Violet, Haunted Toilet, Changes to Blind, New Carrollton, Lida Husik, and Stolen Government Binder Clip. A selection of BSI material has been used for the soundtrack to Tim Ashby’s film 'Surface To Air,' due for release in 2010.
This site is under construction: Stay tuned to this station for further updates. For a more immediate fix, see the myspace page.
Upcoming performances:
>> 31july10: OPEN CIRCUITS: BROKEN-MIC NIGHT FOR THE AVANT GARDE. Benefit for the 2010 Sonic Circuits fest. Pre-registration open-mic sets. BSI will perform a very brief concept piece based on the concept of enlarging nothingness to the point of critical mass. Not to be missed. The rest of the event is a total mystery to all of us. Don't miss it. / Pyramid Atlantic, Silver Spring MD / 7pm / $5 ... curated by dc sonic circuits. dc-soniccircuits.org for details.
>> 24sept10: SONIC CIRCUITS FESTIVAL 2010, La Maison Francaise / Embassy of France, Washington DC
with Merzbow/Richard Pinhas, TL0741
>> 11oct10: Artisphere dome theatre, Arlington VA / 5pm
Past performances:
July 24, 2010 / The Happening arts event: The Mezzanine, Salisbury MD
June 26, 2010 / Orion Sound Studios, Baltimore MD
as part of THEE MAXIMALISTS (Paul Sears/Dave Newhouse/Keith Macksoud/Elliott Levin/Louisa Morgan/Chester Hawkins)
with Conduit
May 31, 2010: CABARET [re]RE-VOLTAIRE FESTIVAL, Gallery O/H, curated by Washington Project for the Arts & PinkLine Project, Washington DCas part of VIOLET (surak/hawkins/barbiero/valladolid/moorish) with Bullfight Academy, Werewolf Torso (aka DJ Fleg), Asa Osborne/Zomes, Eva Brontosaurus
May 30, 2010 / The Submarine, Washington DC
with Echolalia, Audrey Chen + Luca Marini, Orphans
April 24, 2010: AVANT FAIRFAX FESTIVAL, Old Town Hall, Fairfax VA
Blue Sausage Infant + guest Jason Mullinax (Pilesar) drums -- with Little Howlin' Wolf, Eric Carbonara & Jesse Sparhawk, Kuschty Rye Ergot, Twilight Memories of the Three Suns, Pots & Powercells, Lac La Belle, Nick Schillace, Chris Forsyth
April 17, 2010 / Comet Ping Pong, Washington DC
Blue Sausage Infant + guest Jason Mullinax (Pilesar) drums -- with Strotter Inst., Emily Hay+Motoko Honda
March 27, 2010 / Darjeeling Cafe, Staunton VA
with Kingdom of Sharks, Big Drum In The Sky Religion
March 19, 2010 / Pyramid Atlantic, Silver Spring MD
as BASTARD SQUID IMPLANT (hawkins/rouzer/mullinax)
with Jimmy Ghaphery, Myo, Audrey Chen+Tomomi AdachiMarch 5, 2010 / Marx Cafe, Washington DCGuest DJ appearance at WE FOUGHT THE BIG ONE. Setlist [here].
December 17, 2009 / Aqua Nightclub, Washington DC
with Makioki Sisters, Juan Atkins, Measax+Docindo. Event curated by The Electric Cabaret.
December 5, 2009 / Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
with Outpost, Screen Vinyl Image, The Plums. Event curated by We Fought the Big One.
October 30, 2009 / Lighthouse, Washington DC
Final Lighthouse show: with Chris Grier, Borborygmi, Janel & Anthony, Scrap Heap, Moon Pie, TL0741, The Makioki Sisters, Layne Garrett & Friends, Salamander Wool, Venison Whirled, Yellow Crystal Star, Twilight Memories of the Three Suns.
September 26, 2009 / Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
Sonic Circuits 2009 festival. Performed as part of the Pilesar "power trio" Jason Mullinax (vox/perc/electrics), Anthony Pirog (gtr), Hawkins (bass)
with Jandek, Tim Hecker, Fckn Bstrds, Gunter Hampel European Trio, Kotra, Ergo, Blevin Blectum, Jeff Carey, Sean Peoples, Qfwfq Duo, ige*timer, Second Land, Soft Pieces, Northern Machine, Ayyoko Confidential.
September 23, 2009 / Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
Sonic Circuits festival, with Luigi Archetti, Fern Knight, Twilight Memories of the Three Suns.
June 11, 2009 / Pyramid Atlantic, Silver Spring MD
Nameless free group improv with BSI, Violet, Pilesar, Janel Leppin (Janel & Anthony), and Dani Seiss (Second Land).
June 10, 2009 / DC Arts Center, Washington DC
with Circus of Saints, Christopher Williams. Event curated by The Electric Possible.
May 30, 2009 / Artomatic, Washington DC
as Slug Bait (Chester Hawkins, Jeff Surak, Bethany Moore)
with Robert Blake Highway, Kingdom of Sharks, Sean Peoples, Layne Garrett, Dave Vosh/Logan Mitchell Sr., Nine Strings, Fast Forty, RDK, Soft Pieces, BLK w/ BEAR, Pilesar, The Angus Brainpan, Tone Ghosting, Twenty-first Century Chamber Ensemble, Second Land, Kuschty Rye Ergot, Aerosolized Mucus, Arthur Harrison/Rupert Chappelle.
May 6, 2009 / Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
with Violet+Pilesar, Myo, Disasteradio.
Feb 15, 2009 / Blue Nile, Harrisonburg VA
with Kuschty Rye Ergot, The Cutest Puppy in the World, Big Drum in the Sky Religion.
Feb 14, 2009 / Capitol Riverfront, Washington DC"Luck of the Draw" Artomatic festival - with Violet
Jan.10, 2009 / Orpheus Records, Arlington VA
with New Carrollton.
Dec 14, 2008 / Pyramid Atlantic, Silver Spring MD.
with Mind Over Matter Music Over Mind, Lost Civilizations.
Nov 9, 2008 / Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
with Kohoutek, Plastic Crimewave Sound (+ Djin Aquarian from Yahowa 13), Mondo Drag.
Nov 2, 2008 / George Washington University, Washington DC
with Platypus Dreams, Beau Finley. Event curated by The Electric Possible.
Sept 28, 2008 / Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
Sonic Circuits festival, with The Deep End Ensemble, Ben Miller, Kohoutek, Insect Factory, Chris Grier, The Cutest Puppy in the World, This Bag is Not a Toy, Hume, Tone Ghosting, Echolalia, Corpus Callosum, Twilight Memories of the Three Suns, Bonnie Jones.
Sept 19, 2008 / Jackies, Silver Spring MD
with Kuschty Rye Ergot, Corpus Callosum.
June 1, 2008 / George Washington University, Washington DC
with Violet, Field Shaman. Event curated by The Electric Possible.
May 30, 1993 / Clit Club, NYC
Benefit for Taste of Latex magazine. Collaboration with Changes to Blind for a live body-piercing performance.
with Annie Sprinkle.
Apr 25, 1992 / Last Exit, Troy NY
Live collaboration with Changes to Blind.
with Con Demek
Dec 19, 1991 / Montgomery College Planetarium, Takoma Park MD
Performed as HEDGEHOG: collaboration of BSI (electronics) + Oktane 92 (tenor saxophone).
Mar 23, 1991 / WMUC, College Park MD
on the show "Penny's From Hell" - with Clowns in Space, Haunted Toilet, Zebra X.
July 21, 1990 / WMUC, College Park MD
on the show "Penny's From Hell" no.10 - with Haunted Toilet. Live sets + interviews
Aug 15, 1989 / DC Space, Washington DC
as Pythagoras, live collaboration with Lida Husik.
July 7, 1989 / BBQ Iguana, Washington DC
as Pythagoras (with Charlie Moats), live collaboration with Lida Husik
July 22, 1989 / DC Arts Center, Washington DC
as Pythagoras (with Charlie Moats)
Sept 11, 1988 / Dupont Circle, Washington DC
Positive Force's Alternatives Festival
as Pythagoras (with Jerry Busher)
Mar 5, 1988 / Lee Center, Arlington VA
as Pythagoras, live collaboration with New Carrollton and Stolen Government Binder Clip.
Feb 13, 1988 / WMUC, College Park MD
live collaboration with Stolen Government Binder Clip