The Notekillers

The Notekillers are an instrumental avant-rock band based out of both Philadelphia and Brooklyn, New York. The current line up consists of David First (Guitar), Stephen Bilenky (Bass), and Barry Halkin (Drums). The band officially began in 1977 and was closely associated with the No Wave acts of New York City at the time. After a nearly thirty year hiatus, the band has recently released their long awaited first full length album We're Here To Help on Prophase Records.

The Notekillers early history began when high-schoolers David First, Barry Halkin, and Stephen Bilenky began Dead Cheese, a local psychedelic rock band that played small gigs at local Philadelphia clubs and coffee houses between 1968 and 1971. Between 1971 and 1976 the members went their separate ways leaving Dead Cheese behind. During this break David First plays in an ensemble formed by avant-jazz legend Cecil Taylor that performed at Carnegie Hall. Also during this time First studies guitar & jazz theory with renowned instructor Dennis Sandole and analog & computer synthesis through auditing classes at Princeton University. He befriends a grad-student there who admires his nascent constructions and arranges to allow him unlimited access to the largely abandoned classical electronic music studio and tape machines where, driving up from Philadelphia, he creates his first works for the medium in after-hours sessions.

In 1976, after a 5-year, break Halkin returns to Philadelphia. Halkin and First begin playing together once again. Soon, after years of mostly playing free-improv, First begins creating song-structures for the two of them inspired by what he had been listening to in the ensuing years- minimalist composers, long-time hero John Fahey, free jazz, funk music, reggae & various world musics and the emerging punk rock movement. In early 1977 Halkin & First play their first show – a private party for friends – as Notekillers. In late 1977 Stephen Bilenky joins on bass and the band begins playing in Philadelphia in clubs such as the Hot Club, Artemis, Grendel’s Lair, Omni, Starlight Ballroom as well as a few local colleges. Mostly they are met with confusion or disdain, but they make one important ally in David Carroll – Philadelphia’s punk rock impresario who continues to book them despite the lack of local support.

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