With TV shows and movies throwing around words such as anti-matter, quarks, and space-time as casually as you might say “What’s for lunch?” It’s hard to distinguish credible theoretical physics versus true science fiction stuff. The matter is worsen by the apparent back and forth in how stuff is supposed to work. Remember the ether?

In the last week or so, music blogs – at least those that weren’t deleted by Google for posting copyrighted content – have exploded over “zef”, an energetic hybrid of rave and hip-hip with a self-consciously white-trash aesthetic [the word itself refers to the South African redneck subculture] typified by bands such as Cape Town collective Die Antwoord.

On December 4, 2009, a user going by the name “iamamiwhoami” uploaded a video to YouTube. The video featured images of trees with writhing limbs, a metallic-skinned woman in the foetal position in what appears to represent the womb, and – most disturbingly – a goat giving birth; its soundtrack was a haunting trip-hop piece, completely devoid of vocals and led by quivering high-pitched synths. Links to the 55-second clip, titled “Prelude 699130082.451322”, were sent to various music blogs and the video quickly went viral, with over 122,000 views to …

In the first “controversial moments” post of 3, we take a look at ten of music’s most controversial onstage moments of the last 20 years – from Kanye’s mic-jacking to Donita Sparks’ er, inventive response to a hostile Reading Festival crowd – plus five classic pre-1980 shockers that just never get old.

Portland, Oregon, fall 2008. Club Satyricon, the revered punk venue which throughout its lengthy history has played host to some of the greatest alternative, punk and metal acts of the 80s and 90s, is currently getting down to a hybrid of hip-hop, electronica and inhuman screaming courtesy of BrokeNCYDE, four neon-clad young men whose excess of hair product is melting under the stage lights.
The Great Rock & Roll Swindle, Part 2 – Is BroNCYDE for real?