Universal Indians

Jamming on stage and in the studio with influential musicians such as Neil Campbell, Andrew Wilkes Krier, and Sonic Youth, Universal Indians belong to a musical coterie dedicated to exploring the subliminal frontier of modern aesthetic experimentation. Originating in 1993 from the Lansing, MI, basement psych/noise scene, Universal Indians at first merged simple songs with strong improvisational roots. Live performances staged in co-op houses and college basements highlighted by feedback drone jams were meshed with tight arrangements eschewing Southern rock instrumentation for sonic excursions inspired by the Velvet Underground, the Fall, and John Coltrane. Original Members of Universal Indians included guitarist and vocalist Gretchen Gonzales, John Olson on drums and saxophone, and Bryan Ramirez also on guitar and vocals. According to the band, Bryan Ramirez was kicked out of the band in 1997 for lack of enthusiasm. Various weird-style musicians were later employed for studio and stage work as Universal Indians and John Olson's independent record label American Tapes evolved into a fecund mid-Michigan creative institution reminiscent of Andy Warhol's Factory. The mid-'90s saw the band's improvisational instinct devouring traditional rehearsed songcraft and Universal Indians became more closely linked to the electronic aggression of Throbbing Gristle and the Dead C. The creative impulse of core members John Olson and Gretchen Gonzales extended beyond Universal Indians at this time, and Dr. Gretchen Musical Weightlifting Program and G.I. & the Spykes emerged to channel differing approaches toward a meltdown of previously conceived musical architecture. Homemade horns and electronic instruments eventually accompanied and sometimes overshadowed standard guitars and drums,...