Editing Throbbing Gristle (section)

== History ==
<!--How it should be:
* Background and formation (see also COUM Transmission)
* Initial run
** "United / Zyklon B Zombie" and ''The Second Annual Report'''
** ''D.o.A: The Third and Final Annual Report...''
** ''20 Jazz Funk Greats''
** ''Heathen Earth''
** Final performances and first break-up
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=== First era: 1976–1981 ===

Throbbing Gristle evolved from the performance art group [[COUM Transmissions]], formed in [[Kingston upon Hull]] by a group of performers including [[Genesis P-Orridge]] and [[Cosey Fanni Tutti]]. The name Throbbing Gristle derives from the Yorkshire slang word for a male erection. In 1973 COUM moved from Hull to [[Hackney, London]], where P-Orridge and Tutti met [[Chris Carter (British musician)|Chris Carter]], then working as a sound recordist in television, and [[Peter Christopherson]], then a member of the graphic design collective [[Hipgnosis]]; the four built a recording studio in Hackney which they dubbed "The Death Factory" and began performing music together.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Classic Tracks: Throbbing Gristle 'Hamburger Lady' |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-throbbing-gristle-hamburger-lady |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}</ref> The last known performance of COUM Transmissions – ''Prostitution'', an exhibition held in October 1976 at the [[Institute of Contemporary Arts]] in London – was also the public debut of Throbbing Gristle.<ref>{{harvnb|Savage|1992|pp=250–253}}; {{harvnb|Reynolds|2005|pp=228–229}}</ref> The provocative sexual content of the exhibition led [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] Member of Parliament [[Nicholas Fairbairn]] to dub the group "wreckers of civilisation".<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Goth Day: Throbbing Gristle's Cosey Fanni Tutti on Performance Art, Discomfort, and Her New Book Art Sex Music |url=https://www.kexp.org/read/2019/5/22/world-goth-day-throbbing-gristles-cosey-fanni-tutti-performance-art-discomfort-and-her-new-book-art-sex-music/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=www.kexp.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-07 |title=Throbbing Gristle: Second Annual Report / D.O.A. / 20 Jazz Funk Greats / Heathen Earth / Greatest Hits |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16108-throbbing-gristle/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Pitchfork |language=en}}</ref>

Throbbing Gristle's confrontational live performances and use of often disturbing imagery, including pornography and photographs of Nazi [[concentration camp]]s, earned the group a notorious reputation, but they maintained that their mission was to challenge and explore the darker and obsessive sides of the human condition rather than to make attractive music. Throbbing Gristle made extensive use of pre-recorded tape [[sampling (music)|samples]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/thresholdhouse/blog/186224635 |title=Equipment, And My Little Part of History by Sleazy on MySpace |last=Christopherson |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Christopherson |date=29 October 2006 |website=[[MySpace]] |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> and effects units, some of which they had designed or modified themselves, to produce a distinctive, highly distorted sound, usually accompanied by lyrics or spoken-word performances by Tutti or P-Orridge.<ref name=":0" /> Though they asserted that they wanted to provoke their audience into thinking for themselves rather than promote any specific political agenda, Throbbing Gristle frequently associated with the [[anarcho-punk]] scene. They appeared in the [[fanzine]] ''Toxic Grafity'' with a condensation of their own propaganda parody series, Industrial News.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southern.com/southern/label/CRC/09407F.html |title=Crass Discography (''Toxic Graffiti'') |website=Transmissions from Southern |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970506142103/http://www.southern.com/southern/label/CRC/09407F.html |archive-date=6 May 1997 |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

In 1977, they released their debut single "[[United/Zyklon B Zombie|United / Zyklon B Zombie]]", followed by the hybrid live/studio album ''[[The Second Annual Report]]''. First pressed in a limited run of 786 copies on the band's [[Industrial Records]] label, it was rereleased on [[Mute Records]] following high demand; however, this later release was reversed, with all tracks playing backwards and in reverse order. This was followed by the albums ''[[D.o.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle]]'' (1978), ''[[20 Jazz Funk Greats]]'' (1979), and ''[[Heathen Earth]]'' (1980), along with a number of non-album singles.

In 1981 concert promoter and [[Transparency (record label)|Transparency Records]] founder Michael Sheppard brought Throbbing Gristle to Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/musicians-remember-the-late-michael-sheppard-las-champion-of-the-weird-6739588|title=Musicians Remember the Late Michael Sheppard, L.A.'s Champion of the Weird|last=Cotner|first=David|date=2016-03-22|work=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2017-12-23}}</ref> On 29 May 1981 Throbbing Gristle performed at the [[Kezar Pavilion]] in San Francisco in what would be the group's final performance until reuniting in 2004. Throbbing Gristle announced their dissolution on 23 June 1981, mailing out postcards declaring that their "mission [was] terminated."{{sfn|Ford|1996|p=38}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/the-wire-magazine-2003-01-cbz/page/n57|last=Hollings|first=Ken|date=January 2003|title=Throbbing Gristle, ''TG24: 24 Hours of Throbbing Gristle''|department=Soundcheck / Reviews|magazine=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]|issue=227|pages=58–59|via=the Internet Archive|access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> In a 1987 interview, Tutti attributed the band's split to her own breakup with P-Orridge: "TG broke up because me and Gen broke up."{{sfn|Neal|1987|p=216}}

P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson went on to form [[Psychic TV]], and Tutti and Chris Carter, now a couple, continued to record together as [[Chris & Cosey]]. Christopherson later formed [[Coil (band)|Coil]] with fellow Psychic TV member [[John Balance]]; P-Orridge subsequently formed [[Thee Majesty]] and [[Psychic TV|PTV3]] with their wife Jacqueline "Jaye" Breyer.

=== Reunion: 2004–2010 ===

In 2004, Throbbing Gristle briefly reunited to record and release the limited album ''[[TG Now]]''. On 2 April 2007, TG released the album ''[[Part Two (Throbbing Gristle album)|Part Two: The Endless Not]]'', which the group had finished recording in Berlin. It was originally set to be released by Mute Records in September 2006 but was delayed for unknown reasons.

In March 2007, Side-Line announced ''Part Two''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s final release date, adding that a string of special live events would take place in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=21321_0_2_0_C |title=Throbbing Gristle Announce Special Live Events to Celebrate First New Album in Over 25 Years – Throbbing Gristle News at side-line.com |date=14 March 2007 |work=Side-Line |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

A seven-disc DVD set titled ''[[TGV (Throbbing Gristle DVD set)|TGV]]'' was issued in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.throbbing-gristle.com/tg-files/discography.html |title=TG Releases & Recordings |website=throbbing-gristle.com |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> The set contains old and new footage of the band. ''TGV'' came packaged in a deluxe box with a 64-page book, all designed by Christopherson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=27209_0_2_0_C |title=7DVD Box Set for Throbbing Gristle – Throbbing Gristle News at side-line.com |date=19 November 2007 |work=Side-Line |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

The group performed a reinterpretation of their debut album ''[[The Second Annual Report]]'' twice in 2008 to mark the thirtieth anniversary of its release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://throbbing--gristle.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/thirty-second-annual-report-limited.html |title=Throbbing Gristle: • ''Thirty-Second Annual Report'' • |date=12 January 2008 |website=Throbbing Gristle |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> The performance in Paris on 6 June was issued as a limited-edition framed vinyl set titled ''The Thirty-Second Annual Report''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/ir0002.php?site=tg08 |title=Throbbing Gristle, "''The Second Annual Report'' Of" |website=Brainwashed |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

The band then worked to record an album based on their interpretation of [[Nico]]'s 1970 album ''[[Desertshore]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tg.greedbag.com/news/ |title=News :: Throbbing Gristle Store Shop |website=Greedbag |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618094526/http://tg.greedbag.com/news/ |archive-date=18 June 2007 |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> The group issued the entirety of the recording sessions for the album as a limited edition 12-CD set packaged in a custom CD wallet, ''[[The Desertshore Installation]]'', which was sold via mail order from the group's website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tg.greedbag.com/buy/the-desertshore-installation/ |title=Throbbing Gristle – ''The Desertshore Installation'' 12 CD Wallet :: Industrial Records Store |website=Greedbag |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601162649/http://tg.greedbag.com/buy/the-desertshore-installation |archive-date=1 June 2013}}</ref>

In April 2009, Throbbing Gristle toured the United States, appearing at the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] and in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Chicago. ''[[The Third Mind Movements]]'', a new release, was made available at these shows, which was edited down from improvisations recorded during the ''Desertshore Installation'' sessions.

A collaborative installation with [[Cerith Wyn Evans]] titled ''A=P=P=A=R=I=T=I=O=N'' was displayed at [[Tramway (arts centre)|Tramway]] in Glasgow from 7 August to 27 September 2009. Throbbing Gristle contributed a multi-channel soundtrack that was played through 16 hanging [[Sound from ultrasound|Audio Spotlight]] sound panels that Evans had incorporated into his sculpture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://throbbing--gristle.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/tg-collaborationwith-cerith-wyn-evans.html |title=Throbbing Gristle • TG Collaboration with Cerith Wyn Evans • |date=10 January 2009 |website=Throbbing Gristle |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

In November 2009, Throbbing Gristle and [[Industrial Records]] released their version of the [[FM3#Buddha Machine|Buddha Machine]] [[Loop (music)|loop]] player, designed by the group with Christiaan Virant of [[FM3]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tg.greedbag.com/buy/gristleism-the-badged-limited-ed/ |title=Throbbing Gristle – Gristleism – The Badged Limited-Edition|website=Greedbag |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616221603/http://tg.greedbag.com/buy/gristleism-the-badged-limited-ed/ |archive-date=16 June 2013}}</ref>

On 29 October 2010, Throbbing Gristle announced on their website that P-Orridge had left the group; Carter, Cosey and Christopherson finished their current tour under the name X-TG.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} P-Orridge's website stated that they had not quit Throbbing Gristle and had merely stopped participating in the current tour. However, the band would dissolve for good on 24 November following Christopherson's death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://inlog.org/2010/11/25/r-i-p-peter-sleazy-christopherson-throbbing-gristle-x-tg-1955-2010/ |title=R.I.P. Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson (Throbbing Gristle / X-TG) (1955 – 2010) |date=25 November 2010 |website=Incubate Blog |access-date=27 May 2013 |archive-date=18 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118192937/http://inlog.org/2010/11/25/r-i-p-peter-sleazy-christopherson-throbbing-gristle-x-tg-1955-2010/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=blog|date=February 2021}}

=== After dissolution: 2011–present ===

In 2011, Industrial Records had an official "re-activation" to reissue the group's studio albums, as Throbbing Gristle's contract with [[Mute Records]] had expired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.throbbing-gristle.com/tg-files/index.html |title=throbbing-gristle.com |website=throbbing-gristle.com |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

Industrial Records subsequently announced that a double album, titled ''Desertshore/The Final Report'', would be released on 26 November 2012. Carter and Tutti produced the album with the participation of film director [[Gaspar Noé]], former pornographic actress [[Sasha Grey]], and guest vocalists [[Anohni]], [[Blixa Bargeld]], and [[Marc Almond]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.throbbing-gristle.com/INDUSTRIALRECORDS/desertshore/desertshore.html |title=Industrial Records – Releasing 'Industrial Music for Industrial People' Since 1977 |website=throbbing-gristle.com |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708202005/http://www.throbbing-gristle.com/INDUSTRIALRECORDS/desertshore/desertshore.html |archive-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

The group had decided before Christopherson's death to re-record the album because they were not satisfied with the ICA recordings. Christopherson had been the driving force behind the project and had been working on the record in Bangkok with [[Danny Hyde]]. "It was Sleazy's project, then Cosey and Sleazy's, then I came in on it", Carter said in an interview with ''[[The Quietus]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/06114-chris-cosey-throbbing-gristle-desertshore |title=Chris & Cosey Talk Plans to Finish TG's ''Desertshore'' |last=Turner |first=Luke |date=19 April 2011 |website=[[The Quietus]] |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> After Christopherson died, custom instruments built for the project by Christopherson were given to Carter and Tutti, and they began combining his recordings with the work they had done themselves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/en/interviews/chris-cosey/ |title=Chris & Cosey • Interview • Music Can Be Regarded as Art. <nowiki>|</nowiki> Art Can Be Regarded as Music. • Peek-a-Boo Music Magazine |last=Becu |first=Didier |date=18 June 2011 |website=Peek-a-Boo Music Magazine |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref> They announced plans to debut the album live at [[AV Festival]] on 17 March 2012 accompanied by a screening of [[Philippe Garrel]]'s film ''[[The Inner Scar]]'' "for which ''Desertshore'' was the soundtrack and inspiration".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avfestival.co.uk/programme/2012/events-and-exhibitions/wishful-thinking |title=Wishful Thinking: In Remembrance of Peter Christopherson|website=AV Festival |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>{{clarify|reason=did this happen?|date=September 2016}}

P-Orridge died from leukaemia on 14 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2020-03-15 |title=Genesis P-Orridge obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/15/genesis-p-orridge-obituary |access-date=2023-07-23 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>