Monte Casa, the artist and musician who coined the term “industrial” to describe aggressive electronic rock music, has died at the age of 68.
Fellow Cazazza musician and collaborator Meri St. Mary passed away on Twitter. “I had to let Monty go with great sadness and love,” she wrote. “He was very sick and in pain so I take comfort in the fact that this part is over but I miss him already! Anywhere we go I’m sure he will cause problems in his own way RIP The One & Only Monte Cazazza.”
Born November 13, 1954, Cazazza began his career in California, where he established an abrasive persona by creating works meant to shock. He was expelled from the California College of Arts and Crafts after being given his first sculpting assignment, creating a cement waterfall that blocked the class building’s main staircase.
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Best known for his vocal college work, Cazazza has released eight solo albums throughout his career. He was an early adopter on Industrial Throbbing Gristle Records, and his phrase “industrial music for industrial people”—intended to describe the specialty label’s noisy, experimental sonic manipulation—led the genre to being labeled industrial.
Aside from his solo work, Cazazza has collaborated with the likes of Factrix, Chaos of the Night, The Atom Smashers, The Love Force, and Esperik Glare. He has contributed to nine albums by Psychic TV, the group founded by Genesis P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle. his latest album, the pessimist, Arrived in 2010.
It was with great sadness and love that I had to let Monty go. He was very sick and in pain so I’m relieved that part is over but I really miss him! I’m sure it will cause problems in its own way. RIP The One & Only Monte Cazazza pic.twitter.com/SWoOjqQHz8
— MeriStMary (@MeriStMary) June 30, 2023
