2012 – Parasite

THE PARASITE is a dynamic soundscape of bass, keyboards, computer programming, spoken word, and projected video. The project ranges from the subdued and contemplative space of tracks such as “The Announcement of Exchange” to the driving, blues-rich force of “Phoenix of Hosts.” All lyrics of THE PARASITE have been adapted from an original text of philosophy authored by Michel Serres in 1980. Serres’ Parasite is a fable of social relations between country folks and city rats, between hosts and drunken guests, and between artists and politicians. This is the first adaptation of Serres’ Parasite. Smith and Copenhaver composed and released THE PARASITE as a full length LP and CD in June (2011) and came to Buffalo (2012) to perform the complete PARASITE at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center.

Craig Smith’s vocals are a versatile combination of Jim Morrison’s 1968 Copenhagen performances, the live tirades of the Jesus Lizard’s David Yow, and the academic lecture complex of Slavoj Zizek, Bruno Latour, and Charles Ray. Craig Smith is a multimedia artist whose lectures, performances, and exhibitions have been featured internationally at festivals, museums, galleries, and universities, He is based at the University of Florida where he is an Associate Professor in the School of Art and Art History.

Dave Copenhaver is Director of Productions at Lunacy Records and performs bass, guitar and sound production on the recording. Copenhaver is the recipient of a 2009 Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and has been featured on recordings with artists ranging from the recently deceased Pinetop Perkins, Philip ‘Yogie’ Bread, and Oklahoma’s own Wanda Jackson.

Performing in support of Smith & Copenhaver was the Vorechestra, an expanded version of The Vores. This iteration included permanent members Catherine Carfagna, Biff Henrich, Patrick Heyden, and Gary Nickard. Guest members included David Menizer, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Patty Wallace and Gayle Young.