Ut

Described as an archaeological unit rather than simply a band, Dial craft their lo-fi, outer limit sound using the structures of rock, improvisation and the embrace of chaos.

Dial, Watch (Cede 06)
9 tracks, 43 min.
DL/CD

Recorded and produced by Dial and pre-mastered with Charles Bullen. Mastered by Dominique Brethes.

• Jacqui Ham: guitar & vocals
• Rob Smith: guitar & drum machine
• Dom Weeks: bass, piano, synthesizer, melodica & drum machine

🔗 in bio to listen on Bandcamp. 🎶

In early 1977, shortly after arriving in NYC I bought my first guitar, a used blonde pre-CBS Fender Telecaster. I had never played any music before Robert Appleton and Rhys Chatham asked me to play guitar in the Gynaecologists, that precious guitar became my signature in the various collaborations that ensued in NYC and beyond, including Ut.

Years later, it was stolen after a London Ut gig. Big crisis! It was just weeks before we were scheduled to record our next LP, Griller, with Steve Albini in 1989.

Steve offered to buy me a replacement guitar in the US, only to find that anything remotely similar now cost a fortune. So he suggested a replica by The Guitar Works in Evanston. I ordered my custom bright green telecaster guitar with a mirror scratch plate. Steve arrived in London with the guitar some days before our studio sessions began, and I loved it. He asked if he could borrow it that evening to play with someone. “No problem,” I said.

He returned the guitar the next day with the formerly pristine scratch plate more than a little scratched up. I was miffed — I hadn’t even had a chance to play it myself! He immediately ordered a new scratch plate, but by the time it arrived, I was over being upset and thought no more about it.

Some years later, I realised I’d lost the replacement plate. So to this day, I still have that original scratched-up plate on my guitar. After Steve’s tragic and terribly shocking demise, I am so very grateful that I do. In retrospect, I realise that I will always be emotionally attached to that reminder of such a unique time and experience. We all loved working with Steve.

The upshot is that wherever I play my guitar, I also share a unique trace of his vivacity, intensity, and hilariousness, which I love.
Nina Canal