LEATHER STUDDED DIAPHRAGM

Confrontational out of the gate, Leather Studded Diaphragm's name offended hippies and punks, depending if you spelled it out or opted for the initialism. Writes bandleader Eric Gladstone, "LSD mixed rap and rock before you did. LSD married goth to metal before you did. LSD had hot go-go dancers before you did." So they weren't out to scare you, once you got past the uncomfortable logo. A well-connected scenester, Gladstone's CV includes "Nightcrawlers," a local music column disguised as faux gossip page; fanzine contributor, including his one-shot fanzine; Plague Dogs member; WRSU DJ; and conjurer of the punk, goth, metal, and camp that was LSD. Primitive at the outset, the stable lineup (including Stacy Bruden and Ethan Stein) evolved into a good live act. Fond as I am of their "Hands Off" (off what? you ask) LSD's high point was 1988's "Chocodaemon" in which former Plague Dogs voice R. Keane reminisces about the 7-11 culture of his youth, followed by the band's pastiche on the ultimate gothic midnight snack. It was featured on the Invisible Records comp What You Can't See Won't Hurt You. LSD also made an EP for Invisible before Atkins took his label to Chicago.

Gladstone didn't profess to be a graphic artist, but his forays into xerography, Wite-Out lettering, and violated adverts remain worthy art forms. A tireless promoter of his band, it doesn't surprise that Gladstone well-preserved LSD's legacy. Only a few of his flyers can be shown here, but his archive is such an exercise in hilarity that you are directed here for a whole lot more of a strange thing.

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