Liquid Liquid

Biography

Liquid Liquid was a New York City-based post-punk and post-disco band formed in the late 1970s initially as Liquid Idiot with a punk-oriented sound, evolving into a groove-based style influenced by funk, dub reggae, Afrobeat, punk, and early hip-hop. Active primarily from 1980 to 1983, the band consisted of Richard McGuire on bass, Salvatore Principato on vocals and percussion, Dennis Young on marimba, and Scott Hartley on drums. They released three EPs—'Liquid Liquid,' 'Successive Slip,' and 'Optimo'—on the influential 99 Records label, never issuing a full-length LP during their initial run, but their music became emblematic of the No Wave and downtown NYC scene, blending minimalist percussion, serpentine basslines, and abstract vocals to create hypnotic, danceable tracks.[1][3][4][6]

The band's career was dramatically impacted by the unauthorized sampling of their track 'Cavern' (from the Optimo EP) in Melle Mel's 1983 hit 'White Lines (Don't Do It),' recorded by the Sugar Hill house band. This led to a prolonged legal battle that bankrupted both 99 Records and Sugar Hill Records, prompting Liquid Liquid to disband in 1983. Despite their short tenure, their innovative sound—guitarless, percussion-heavy, and defying easy categorization—left a profound mark on dance music and hip-hop through heavy sampling.[1][3][6]

Liquid Liquid reformed in 2008 for live performances, appearing on shows like Jimmy Fallon in 2010 and opening for LCD Soundsystem's 2011 farewell concert, where they were hailed as a major influence. Members pursued diverse paths post-breakup: Dennis Young continues producing and has been remixed by artists like Hot Chip; Richard McGuire works as a graphic designer for The New Yorker; and Salvatore Principato engages in electronic music and DJing.[1][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Liquid Liquid started as the punk band Liquid Idiot in the late 1970s before shifting to their groove-based sound.
• Their 'Cavern' bassline was re-recorded (not directly sampled) by Sugar Hill's house band for Melle Mel's 'White Lines,' leading to a 12-year lawsuit that bankrupted both labels.
• The band was guitarless, relying on bass, marimba, percussion, and abstract vocals, setting them apart from typical No Wave acts.
• They reunited in 2008 and performed on Jimmy Fallon in 2010, with LCD Soundsystem citing them as their top influence.

Members

• Scott Hartley
• Richard McGuire
• Salvatore Principato
• Dennis Young

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Richard McGuire - bassist and founding member (all EPs including Optimo) [1980-1983, reformed 2008]
• Salvatore Principato - vocals and percussion, founding member (all EPs including Optimo) [1980-1983, reformed 2008]
• Dennis Young - marimba and percussion, founding member (all EPs including Optimo) [1980-1983, reformed 2008]
• Scott Hartley - drums, founding member (all EPs including Optimo) [1980-1983]
• Don Hunerberg - producer/engineer (Optimo EP) [1982]

Artists Influenced

• LCD Soundsystem - called them greatest influence and heroes, invited to open farewell show (2011 farewell show) [2011]
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - sampled or referenced Cavern (various tracks) [2000s]
• Moby - sampled or referenced Cavern (various tracks) [1990s-2000s]
• LL Cool J - sampled Cavern (various tracks) [1980s-1990s]
• Mobb Deep - sampled Cavern (various tracks) [1990s]
• De La Soul - sampled or referenced Cavern (various tracks) [1980s-1990s]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #dance-punk, #funk, #mutant-disco