Simulacrum
Symbiots
Excerpt From Liner Notes by PEK
“…Simulacrum is supposed to be electronics heavy, and usually we have at least one (if not several) players who specialize in synthesis, so I debated whether to assign this performance to one of the other ensembles (Expanse or Turbulence) both of which have defining concepts that this grouping would satisfy. In the performance, however, Jonathan, Michael C, John and I all used plenty of electronic sounds, so I decided to use the originally planned band name. The result is a very tight broad palate improvisation from a smallish group of Evil Clown regulars which is less electronics heavy than a typical Simulacrum album…”
Simulacrum – Symbiots
Simulacrum
Evil Clown Headquarters, Waltham MA – 9 June 2026
1) Symbiots – 1:10:48
2) Rationality Assumed – 5:31
PEK – clarinet, albert bass, contralto & contrabass clarinets, alto & tenor saxophones, glissophone, piccolo oboe, English horn, medieval horn, musette, shenai, Christmas flute, Russian wood flute, penny whistle, slide whistle, triple slide whistles, game calls, moog subsequent, novation peak, Linnstrument controllers, ms-20, syntrx, theremin with moogerfooger, [d]ronin, 17 string bass, sonic spring board, Tibetan bowls, bells & chimes, triangle chimes, almglocken, chimes, sleigh bells, cymbals, captain’s bell, wood & temple blocks, log drums, brontosaurus & tank bells, gongs, orchestral castanets, log drums, cow bells, Englephone, danmo, orchestral chimes, crank siren, rubber chicken
Michael Caglianone – soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones, clarinet & bass clarinet, flute, penny whistle, slide whistle, shofar, log drums, wood & temple blocks, cowbells, seed pod rattle, almglocken, temple bells, balafon, xylophone, orchestral anvils, crank siren, rubber chicken
John Fugarino – trumpets, flugelhorn, trombone, French horn, ocarina, almglocken, balafon, xylophone, nord stage 3, prophet, moog subsequent, novation peak, Linnstrument controllers, talking drum, spring & chime rod boxes, triangle chimes, Tibetan bowls, array mbira, log drums, wood & temple blocks, rubber chicken
Jonathan LaMaster – violin, Jerry Jones electric coral sitar, slide whistle, Tibetan bowls, balafon, wood blocks, shaker, noise tower, seed pod rattles, orchestral catanets, almglocken, wind siren, clown horn, gongs, voice
Michael Knoblach – Indian festival drum, frame drum, ocean drum, Tibetan bowls, almglocken, flex-a-tones, elephant bell, devil chasers, orchestral castanets, guiro, seed pod rattle, wah tube, plastic toy, gongs, log drums, brontosaurus & tank bells, log drums, wood blocks
Joel Simches – live to 2-track recording, real-time signal processing
Full Video
Video Shorties
Simulacrum – Symbiots
Liner Notes by PEK
Simulacrum is an offshoot of Metal Chaos Ensemble that was conceived just prior to the Virus shutting things down. The ensemble originally featured 3 core members: PEK on all my stuff, Eric Woods on analog synth, and Bob Moores on space trumpet, guitar, and electronics. The original idea of this band was to increase the amount of electronics, to keep the ancillary percussion and lose the drum set, along with PEK and Bob holding down the horn roles. More recently, Bob moved to Maine about 3 hours away and Eric has been less available due to having young children. The focus on electronics is retained, but the players are more fluid.
Most Simulacrum sets since Bob moved to Maine have been Me and Michael Knoblach, Jonathan LaMaster (violin, guitar, electronics), Robin Amos (synthesis) and a few extra guests, often including Michael Caglianone (reeds) and John Fugarino (brass). Symbiots was originally planned to be Me, Michael Knoblach, Robin, Jonathan, Eric Woods, John and Michael Caglianone – Septet with 3 horns, 2 electronics specialists, violin/electronics, and percussion. As often happens, as the date approached, the lineup changed and we ultimately landed on quintet without either of the two electronics specialists.
Simulacrum is supposed to be electronics heavy, and usually we have at least one (if not several) players who specialize in synthesis, so I debated whether to assign this performance to one of the other ensembles (Expanse or Turbulence) both of which have defining concepts that this grouping would satisfy. In the performance, however, Jonathan, Michael C, John and me all used plenty of electronic sounds, so I decided to use the originally planned band name. The result is a very tight broad palate improvisation from a smallish group of Evil Clown regulars which is less electronics heavy than a typical Simulacrum album.
Anyway, I like this set, and I bet you will too.
PEK Out – 6/11/2026
Paul Brennan Photos
and Video Screen Grabs
