Blind Idiot God
Blind Idiot God is an American instrumental rock trio formed in 1982 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, by guitarist Andy Hawkins, bassist Gabriel Katz and drummer Ted Epstein. The phrase "blind idiot god" comes from horror writer H. P. Lovecraft's description of the fictional entity Azathoth.
Their often improvisational musical style combines influences from punk rock, noise music, 20th-century classical music, heavy metal, dub, free jazz, and funk. They are based in New York City as of 2014 and have often collaborated with musicians Bill Laswell and John Zorn.
Their self-titled debut album, Blind Idiot God, was issued by SST Records in 1987 and was well received critically. Brian Olewnick described it as "an extraordinary debut [...] the three musicians exhibited startling originality and impressive technique both on their instruments and in the depth and style of their compositions". With bassist Bill Laswell handling production duties, Undertow was released in 1988 and was followed by Cyclotron in 1992. Ted Epstein left the band in 1996, and the remaining members put Blind Idiot God on hiatus as they searched for his replacement.
In 2001, Blind Idiot God reunited after roughly a decade of inactivity, with Tim Wyskida (of Khanate) replacing Epstein. Between 2008 and 2010, they recorded new material at studios in New Jersey (Barber Shop and Orange Sound), which comprised their fourth album, Before Ever After. Gabriel Katz recorded bass tracks for the album, but departed in 2012 due to hearing problems and chronic tendonitis. He was replaced by New York veteran bassist Will Dahl, making Andy Hawkins the only original member. Before Ever After was released on February 24, 2015, with the new lineup performing three live shows in New York to coincide with its release. In 2017, The band announced they would be re-issuing their back catalog on multiple formats, and were also working on a new album.
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