Glenn Branca
Lesson No. 1 (12")
Format12", Clear VinylLabelSuperior ViaductGenreExperimental
Preorder: October 30th, 2026 (ships as soon as it is released)
Tracked express shipping from Italy, no customs or import VAT in the EU. Shipping costs
After cutting his teeth in the late '70s No Wave scene with bands Theoretical Girls and The Static, Glenn Branca made his first solo statement, Lesson No. 1, in 1980. The inaugural release on legendary post-punk / dance label 99 Records, Lesson No. 1 unveils Branca's visionary guitar concepts with two monstrous, side-long compositions that helped forge NYC's downtown art-punk sound and acted as a massive influence on countless young groups, including Sonic Youth and Swans.
The title track is easily Branca's most-accessible moment; its driving beat and interlocking patterns resemble German pioneers Neu! playing Philip Glass. Never before (or since) has minimalism sounded so euphoric. "Dissonance" is the A-side's polar opposite. Dark, skittish and unhinged, Branca leads his band (guitar, keyboard, bass, drums and sledgehammer) through block after block of industrial terror, leaving listeners drained in the process.
- Limited edition clear vinyl
- First release by avant-garde guitarist and composer
- Originally released on 99 Records in 1980
- RIYL Faust, This Heat and Sonic Youth
- Liner notes by Weasel Walter
Format
This is a compilation of the original Lesson #1 and the Glenn Branca side of the split with John Giorno called "Who You Staring At?" on GIORNO POETRY SYSTEMS GPS 025
Sides A and B: 45 r.p.m; Side C: 33 r.p.m.
Release notes
This is a compilation of the original Lesson #1 and the Glenn Branca side of the split with John Giorno called "Who You Staring At?" on GIORNO POETRY SYSTEMS GPS 025 Sides A and B: 45 r.p.m; Side C: 33 r.p.m.
| A | Lesson No. 1 | 8:13 | |
| B | Dissonance | 11:37 | |
| C | Bad Smells | 16:26 |
- Gina Franklyn
- Design [Sleeve], Layout
- Stephan Wischerth
- Drums
- Craig Bishop
- Engineer
- Glenn Branca
- Guitar, Music By [Composition & Arrangement], Producer [Assistant], Composed By, Arranged By
- Jim Bonnefond
- Mixed By [Mixing Engineer]
- Carla Liss
- Photography By
- Mark Bingham
- Producer
- Ed Bahlman
- Producer [Assistant]
