They became associated with industrial music with the 1980 release of their album White Souls in Black Suits on Industrial Records, although in reality the early material that predates this release is a blend of extreme electronics and frequencies that was heard only by a spartan few, including Jhon Balance and other notaries. (This early archive material, which includes the Sex Works Beyond Entanglement 12" EP (1979) originally planned for release by Cherry Red with the tracks Throbbing Sweeping Obscene/Coil/The Pop Hell, is due for release with a number of other extreme pure-electronic compositions and will readdress the morphology of DVA history.) The album Thirst followed in 1981, by which time Adi Newton and Steven Judd Turner had combined musique concrète techniques with guitar, bass, and drum instrumentation, fused with Newton's unique art direction and existential lyrics and writing.
After the tragic death of Steven Judd Turner, Adi Newton formed a new version of the band in 1983. First releasing the singles Passions Still Aflame and High Holy Disco Mass on the major label Polydor under the name DVA, the group then released the album Advantage (along with several singles). During a European tour a dispute amongst the musicians occurred resulting in Adi Newton disbanding the group. However the remaining musicians attempted an abortive continuation of the tour without him, which resulted in negative reaction from DVA fans appalled by Newton's absence.
After the 1983 breakup of Clock DVA, Adi Newton put in process his original concept of the multimedia arts project The Anti-Group aka T.A.G.C., which staged a number of performances directed and choreographed solely by Adi Newton. T.A.G.C. released a series of films and recordings, namely The Disscussion Anti-Theatre piece/Dual 16mm Film and Soundtrack, Ha/Zulu, ShT, Big Sex, The Ambisonic Album Digitaria, Meontological Recording Record 1, Meontological Recording Record 2 (Teste Tones), Burning Water Film/ Soundtrack, and Iso-Erotic Calibrations.
In 1987 Adi Newton, while still working within TAGC, allowed a reformation of DVA. He was at the time experimenting with computer sound sampling techniques and sequencing and had already created a blueprint for a track originally titled "Diamond Bullet," which later became "The Hacker." This reformed line-up consisted of creative director Adi Newton; vocalist, sound designer, Dean Dennis; and Paul Browse. From this line-up came the album Buried Dreams.
After the release of Buried Dreams and a series of singles taken from the album, a number of problems occurred. Paul Browse left to try to resolve issues with the record label in Berlin but remained in Germany and never returned. As a result, Robert Baker joined the line up, which then released the albums Man-Amplified and Digital Soundtracks. Dean Dennis left to start work on a new project. The album Sign followed during a transitional period in which Adi Newton relocated to Italy, taking Clock DVA/TAGC with him as sole director and reactivating the project in a new direction.
Adi Newton and creative partner Jane Radion Newton are currently working on the remastered release of their whole back catalog, which was set to be released in the autumn of 2008 by Mute records as a box set including a 120-page book. They are also working with invited guest artists on new Clock DVA/TAGC studio albums, which are scheduled for a 2009 release to coincide with a number of key European performances and installations.
Sites: YouTube and http://MySpace.com/ClockDVAauthorized (official)
The Hacker
Clock DVA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Programmed by mathematical terrorists
Outside of mortal bounds
Silently hacking
A binary plague
Serving information
This is the time of the hacker
This is the code of the hacker
An algebra of fear
Within the language of machines
Uninfringed my human emotions
Within global systems
Silently moving
A digital maze
Cutting information
This is the way of the hacker
This is the extremity of the hacker
This is the hacker
Protect now or be erased forever
A binary virus
Unleashed by subversive programmers
Inside corporate systems
Silently eating
The endemic wave
Erasing information
This is the sign of the hacker
This is the genius of the hacker
This is the hacker
Learn now
Or be cut down forever
Clock DVA's song "The Hacker" describes the world of computer hacking through dark and ominous language. The lyrics describe a dangerous and powerful force, likened to a virus or plague, being wielded by mathematical terrorists to "murder" information and corporate systems. The hacker is portrayed as an entity beyond human emotion or empathy, existing within the "language of machines" and moving "silently" through a "digital maze". The lyrics warn that those who do not protect themselves from this force will be "erased forever".
The song's depiction of hackers as violent and threatening is typical of the way hacking was often portrayed in popular culture in the 1980s and 1990s. However, Clock DVA's lyrics also recognize the power and complexity of hacking, describing it in terms of mathematics and a "genius" beyond human comprehension. Additionally, the song touches on themes of surveillance and control, warning listeners to "learn now" to protect themselves or risk being "cut down forever".
Line by Line Meaning
A digital murder
Refers to the use of technology to harm or destroy someone or something.
Programmed by mathematical terrorists
Indicates that those who carry out digital attacks have a high level of expertise in math and programming and often use their skills for harmful purposes.
Outside of mortal bounds
Means that the digital realm is not limited by human limitations, such as time and space.
Silently hacking
Implies that the attackers work quietly and discreetly to avoid detection while manipulating information systems.
A binary plague
Compares digital attacks to a disease that can spread and infect any computer or device it touches.
Serving information
Refers to how hackers can use the information they gain through digital attacks for their own purposes or to sell to others.
This is the time of the hacker
Suggests that digital threats are increasing and that the era of the hacker has arrived.
This is the code of the hacker
Points out that the digital attacks are not random, but instead are carefully planned and executed using specialized code.
This is the hacker
Asserts that the hacker is a force to be reckoned with and cannot be ignored.
An algebra of fear
Compares the technical and seemingly complex nature of digital attacks to a math equation that causes fear and panic.
Within the language of machines
Highlights the idea that digital attacks are entirely technology-driven and made possible by computer languages and coding.
Uninfringed my human emotions
Meaning that digital attacks are devoid of human emotion, and instead rely solely on cold, calculated programming.
Within global systems
Indicates that digital attacks are not limited by geographic boundaries and can happen anywhere in the world.
Silently moving
Is a description of how digital attackers work under the radar, making their movements nearly invisible to the untrained eye.
A digital maze
Compares hacking to navigating a complex labyrinth of code and programming language.
Cutting information
Refers to how attackers manipulate and modify digital data, often with malicious intent or to serve their own purpose.
This is the way of the hacker
Signifies that digital threats are becoming more common and that people need to pay attention and learn about how to protect themselves.
This is the extremity of the hacker
Indicates that the hacker is a formidable force, and their tactics can be extreme and malicious.
Protect now or be erased forever
Is a warning to people that they need to start taking digital security seriously or face the consequences of losing everything digitally.
A binary virus
Compares digital attacks to a virus that spreads and infects computer systems with harmful programming.
Unleashed by subversive programmers
Suggests that those who carry out digital attacks are anti-establishment and believe in dismantling current systems and structures.
Inside corporate systems
Is a description of how attackers often target businesses and corporations for financial gain or to disrupt operations.
Silently eating
Implies that digital attackers work methodically and continuously to cause damage to digital systems, often avoiding detection.
The endemic wave
Is related to the idea that digital threats can be isolating or spread rapidly to other people or systems.
Erasing information
Refers to the intentional deletion, manipulation or changing of digital data to cause harm or cover up their tracks.
This is the sign of the hacker
Points out that there are telltale signs of digital attacks, and people need to learn how to recognize and respond to these threats.
This is the genius of the hacker
Highlights the highly intelligent nature of digital attackers and how they manipulate technology to their own ends.
Learn now
Is a call-to-action to everyone to begin learning about how to protect their digital lives and businesses.
Or be cut down forever
Is a warning that ignoring digital security can have severe consequences for people and businesses.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
L Spike
One of the few industrial bands I never met, saw or played with. A loss for me.
Absolutely brilliant. As groundbreaking as Skinny Puppy and the other pioneers.
They were musicians musicians.
openyourmind
You still playing!? Your chance may just have arrived- get in touch!
Adherentka Ziemniaczków
An algebra of fear. Hands down one of the best lines ever written (I might be slightly biased). Tauron's music on hold.
TheLarde
The song is dated at least 1989. That's what printed on my vinyl record. Google says it dates back to 1988... Truly great sound! Thanks for your effort!
Akira625
Recently bought the Wax Trax box set that they put out in the early 90's, and it has this song on it, I immediately loved it!
GreyZone7
A true classic. Saw them live in the early 90s. The information War really started Now 20 years later...
James Lehr
This song just gets more relevant all the time
openyourmind
Thankyou!
Patrick Schacht
just saw them live, last night in Chicago! they were amazing!
CarterTheUnstoppableFaxMachine
I don't understand how a song & video from the year I was born can still be so fucking terrifying. It should feel a bit dated and cheesy by now but it doesn't, at all.