Lesson No. 1
| Lesson No. 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by Glenn Branca | ||||
| Released | March 1980 | |||
| Genre | No wave, noise rock | |||
| Length |
19:54 (original) 36:18 (reissue) |
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| Label | 99 | |||
| Glenn Branca chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Pitchfork Media | (8.7/10) |
| Stylus Magazine | C |
Lesson No. 1 is the debut solo EP by American avant-garde musician Glenn Branca. It was released in March 1980 on 99 Records.
It was originally released on 12" vinyl, as 99 Records' first release. The EP was remastered and re-released in 2004 by Acute Records. The re-release includes the bonus track "Bad Smells". In 2014, Superior Viaduct re-released Lesson No. 1 in its original 12" vinyl format as a double LP with "Bad Smells".
In the late 1970s, Branca was a member of no wave band Theoretical Girls. While he was out of town touring with the Static, Max's Kansas City invited Theoretical Girls to perform for a 1979 Easter festival. Branca convinced the venue to book him for a solo gig, and he assembled a group that included Barbara Ess and Christine Hahn. The group performed "Instrumental for Six Guitars", and its sound convinced Branca to continue composing for multiple guitars. He began performing solo at rock clubs and avant-garde venues such as The Kitchen. Branca "wanted to make sure [his music] was understood as rock and nothing else."
Branca knew Ed Bahlman, who sold independent singles at a store run by his girlfriend, and asked Bahlman if he would be interested in starting a label and releasing a record by Branca. Bahlman knew little about recording, pressing, and distributing records, but Branca had some experience with Theoretical Records. Having seen some of Branca's shows, Bahlman agreed and decided to make Lesson No. 1 the first release by 99 Records.
Branca needed guitar players to form a large guitar orchestra, and he posted fliers at record stores in downtown New York City. He held auditions at his apartment where he conducted guitar players. Thurston Moore, who performs on "Bad Smells", auditioned at the recommendation of his girlfriend Kim Gordon but was rejected.Rhys Chatham of the Gynecologists was initially upset after hearing the new band, feeling that it was reusing his ideas.
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