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Jack V at Ultimatum Festival 1985-05-01
The following is a transcription of Jack V performance of "Poesie Guerriere" at Ultimatum, Wednesday, May 1st, 1985 at the Foufounes Électriques bar and performance space in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Alan Lord provides a description and interpretation of the performance in his memoir: "For his performance—called Poesie guerriere—Jack read a few texts, then smashed a mirror, invoking "seven years of bad luck!" He then stripped down to the waist and smeared war paint on his face. He started dancing, prancing and swaying in abandon like a wild man, and soon a regiment of a dozen drummers joined him onstage one by one—a post-punk marching band—martially rat-tatting their snares. Jack was feline and menacing, irresistibly magnetic. This was poetry beyond words, like Alex nodding you his glass of Moloko Plus in A Clockwork Orange. When we watch Jack's clip we feel the shock of realizing his performance anticipates by some 35 years that of Joaquin Phoenix dancing down the stairs in Joker." Jack V entered the alternative scene by playing bass for Roro d’Haiti and later for Monty Casin, in First Aid Brigade. Lord determines that ultimately, Jack V "gave the most memorable performance of the festival".
Annotations
00:00 - 00:04
Audio Description
Light static.
Recording
00:00 - 00:00
Alan Lord Commentary
For his performance—called “Poésie guerrière”—Montrealer Jack V starts off by singing while shaving with an electric razor.
Event Description
00:04 - 00:06
Audio Description
Buzzing.
Recording
00:06 - 00:58
Audio Description
Performs "Poesie Guerriere", vocalizes, sings and recites text [French] atop recorded buzzing sound.
Jack V
Recorded Sound
00:58 - 01:00
Audio Description
Smashes mirror.
Jack V
01:00 - 01:01
Audio Description
[Unintelligible].
Jack V
01:01 - 01:02
Audio Description
Cheers.
Audience Member
01:01 - 01:01
Alan Lord Commentary
He says "sept ans d'malheur!" (seven years bad luck!) and smashes a mirror
Event Description
01:02 - 01:05
Audio Description
Ambient chords, distorted speech and vocals.
Music
01:05 - 01:08
Audio Description
Applause overlaps with music.
Audience
Music
01:08 - 05:54
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", recites poem [French] atop ambient chords, electronic instruments, various electronic musical sounds, guitar, drums, distorted vocals, regular vocals and various recorded sounds.
Jack V
Music
01:29 - 01:29
Alan Lord Commentary
The music we hear faintly in the background is the song Hospitality by Sparks
Event Description
02:36 - 02:36
Alan Lord Commentary
He then stripped down to the waist, thus revealing the war paint on his body. He started dancing, prancing and swaying in abandon like a wild man.
Event Description
04:35 - 04:35
Alan Lord Commentary
Jack was a member of the Neoists, and played bass in Monty Cantsin’s First Aid Brigade.
Biographical Context
05:54 - 06:08
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", sings [French] atop guitar, drums, electronic instrument, and regular vocals.
Jack V
Music
06:08 - 10:08
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", recites poem [French] atop guitar, drums, electronic instrument, regular vocals, distorted vocals, distorted speech.
Jack V
Music
07:11 - 07:11
Alan Lord Commentary
Festival participants Jack V, Jean-Luc Bonspiel, Jean-Martin Mignault and I later formed Montreal’s seminal agitrock band Vent du Mont Schärr (1986 – 1990).
Biographical Context
10:08 - 11:43
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", sings [French], music shifts, regular vocals and distorted vocals.
Jack V
Music
11:43 - 13:02
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", recites poem [French], music shifts, recorded speech and electronic sounds.
Jack V
Music
13:02 - 13:36
Audio Description
Bass, electric guitar, drums, and melodic buzzing sound.
Music
13:36 - 13:45
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", recites poem [French] atop electric guitar, drums, and melodic buzzing sound.
Jack V
Music
13:45 - 16:51
Audio Description
Electric guitar, drums, bass, melodic buzzing sounds, and kazoo-like sounds.
Music
16:48 - 16:48
Alan Lord Commentary
He is joined by a regiment of a half-dozen drummers, one by one—a Post-Punk marching band—martially rat-tatting their snares. Jack was feline and menacing, irresistibly magnetic. This was poetry beyond words, and one of the festival’s highlights.
Event Description
Personal Anecdote
16:51 - 17:12
Audio Description
Keyboard and marching percussion.
Music
17:12 - 17:55
Audio Description
Continues "Poesie Guerriere", recites poem atop keyboard and marching percussion.
Jack V
Music
17:55 - 20:21
Audio Description
Keyboard, marching percussion, and electronic sounds.
Music
20:21 - 20:21
Audio Description
[End of recording].
END