Liquid Liquid
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Defunct | 1983 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2008 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Liquid Liquid is a dance-punk ensemble from the United States, originally active between 1980 and 1983 before reuniting in 2008. They gained prominence primarily through their track "Cavern," which became the center of controversy when Sugar Hill Records sampled it without permission as the instrumental foundation for Melle Mel’s iconic rap song "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)." The group issued several notable EPs, including the highly regarded 1983 12" release Optimo. Following their reunion, they have toured internationally.
History
Liquid Liquid emerged from the New York-based "primitive punk" outfit Liquid Idiot, which featured members Sal Principato, Richard McGuire, Scott Hartley, and Dennis Young. They adopted the name Liquid Liquid to better represent their shift toward a groove-centric sound. Their self-titled debut EP in 1981 showcased an eclectic mix of rhythms influenced by artists such as Bo Diddley, Curtis Mayfield, Fela Kuti, dub reggae, and experimental rock.
The band frequently played at prominent New York venues like Paradise Garage and The Roxy, connecting with varied audiences across the city’s gay black, Latino, and wider club communities. In 1982, they performed alongside Treacherous Three at Rick Rubin’s event "Uptown Meets Downtown."
The track "Cavern," included on the Optimo EP produced by Don Hünerberg, became their hallmark song. Its unique bass groove and lyrics were illicitly used by Sugar Hill Records as the backing for "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)," sparking a legal battle that 99 Records ultimately won; however, financial restitution was never received due to Sugar Hill’s insolvency. Royalties were only distributed after Duran Duran covered "White Lines" in 1995. Reflecting on this episode, Principato expressed ambivalent sentiments while recognizing Grandmaster Flash’s role.
"Cavern" also featured on the influential compilation Disco Not Disco. The band’s early EPs and live material were reissued in 1997 by Grand Royal (US) and Mo' Wax (UK). After those labels ceased operations, Domino Records issued a comprehensive anthology titled Slip In And Out Of Phenomenon in 2008. The song has appeared in commercial contexts, including a Samsung S21 Ultra advertisement.
In October 2008, Liquid Liquid resumed live performances in the UK at London’s Barbican Theatre alongside Glasgow DJ duo Optimo—named after their track and EP. Their touring continued with shows at Paris’s Villette Sonique Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center. On April 2, 2010, they performed "Cavern" with The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and announced additional UK dates. In 2011, they supported LCD Soundsystem during its farewell concert at Madison Square Garden.
Musical style
Music critic Mark Fisher characterized Liquid Liquid’s rhythm-driven sound as drawing from genres such as funk, dub reggae, Afrobeat, and punk, delivered with a DIY garage sensibility.[1] Their compositions avoid conventional pop formats, lacking defined verses or choruses. Vocalist Salvatore Principato treats his voice as an instrument, focusing on tonal variation and rhythmic delivery rather than traditional lyrics,[1] taking inspiration from Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac. Larissa Wodtke identified the group within the dance-punk and avant-funk spheres. The Observer classified them as part of the post-no wave movement.[2]
Tim Sommer of The Observer observed: "Liquid Liquid employ polyrhythms but never descend into ethnic imitation …. This discipline and refusal to funk renders them nearly impossible to replicate."
Band members
- Salvatore Principato – lead vocals, percussion (1980–1983, 2008–present)
- Dennis Young – guitar, marimba, keyboards (1980–1983, 2008–present)
- Richard McGuire – bass guitar, keyboards (1980–1983, 2008–present)
- Scott Hartley – drums, percussion (1980–1983, 2008–present)
Individual endeavors
McGuire pursues careers in graphic design, cartooning, and filmmaking. Principato is active as a DJ and produces remixes. Young engages in multiple musical collaborations.
Discography
- Liquid Liquid 12" EP (99–07, 1981)
- Successive Reflexes 12" EP (99-09, 1981)
- "Bellhead"/"Push" 7" single (99-11EP7, 1981) – limited re-recordings completed in a single day; majority of copies were destroyed by the band
- Optimo 12" EP (99–11, 1983)
- "Dig We Must" 12" (99-LL1, 1984)
- Liquid Liquid double LP/CD (Mo Wax/Grand Royal, 1997)
- Slip In and Out of Phenomenon triple LP/CD (Domino Records, 2008)
DJ Bill Bahlman incorporated new wave, dance-punk, and electro styles during numerous Liquid Liquid performances and contributed live recordings featured on studio EPs.