We performed this piece at the Starry Plough in 2017 or '18 I believe. As I recall it, even though everyone in the group was familiar with Cage and his infamous silence-oriented piece, not everyone in the group was keen to do it, especially since Moe! had decided that we'd open our set with it! I was game, despite understanding the reservations of the others in Surplus 1980. You have to figure, that from an audience member's perspective, it would seem pretty off putting to sit or stand there and watch a band simply focusing on being silent for almost five minutes. Still, we went ahead with it, as planned. I remember the first minute or so, and the nervous energy that seemed to build from the bar/dance area of the Plough as people realized what Surplus was up to. This being a Berkeley audience, one had to figure that they'd sussed it out pretty quickly. Nervous laughter, maybe a mild taunt or two were forthcoming. Up on the stage, the musicians stood or sat within their respective zones. Some fidgeted, some remained still. Another minute passed, and the tension within the room ratcheted up accordingly. It's pretty amazing, the way that time and the perception of it get so skewed when you're in performance mode. At some point, guitarist Bill Wolter's forearm brushed across the strings of his guitar, giving off a brief cluster of tone. It was really funny, the way that that brief occurrence of sound broke up the silence. I mean, it felt HUGE. The guitar was quickly muted, and Surplus continued with our "playing" of 4'33"
It strikes me that Cage, though he probably would not have enjoyed the music of Surplus 1980, would have found that moment interesting within the intellectual context of the realization of 4'33".
After what seemed to be a much longer duration than four minutes and thirty-three seconds, Moe! counted off our next piece, and we actually had occasion to play our instruments. I felt pretty satisfied to have performed a renowned piece by a great musical artist. I wonder how those in attendance felt about our foray into willful silence........
I remain grateful to and admiring of Moe! for having the balls to do that with our rare performance time, that's for sure.
