Band · Canada

Nihilist Spasm Band

Formed in 1965

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The Nihilist Spasm Band (NSB) is a Canadian noise band formed in 1965 in London, Ontario, by Hugh McIntyre, John Clement, John Boyle, Bill Exley, Murray Favro, Archie Leitch, Art Pratten, and Greg Curnoe. The term "spasm band" refers to a band that uses homemade instruments.

Leitch has since retired, Curnoe was struck and killed by a pickup truck while cycling in 1992. Aya Ohnishi (a Japanese fan who organized NSB tours of Japan) joined the band on drums starting in 1999. McIntyre died of heart failure in 2004. Bill Exley died in July of 2025.

The Nihilist Spasm Band have been cited as the longest running self-described "noise" band and an influence on Sonic Youth, Negativland, and Einstürzende Neubauten.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Also in Français

Le Nihilist Spasm Band (abrégé NSB) est un groupe canadien de musique bruitiste, originaire de London, en Ontario. Il est formé en 1965 par Hugh McIntyre, John Clement, John Boyle, Bill Exley, Murray Favro, Archie Leitch, Art Pratten et Greg Curnoe. Leitch s'est depuis retiré, Curnoe a été tué par un camion alors qu'il roulait à vélo en 1992 et McIntyre est mort d'une attaque cardiaque en 2004.

Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0