One of the leading Canadian noise artists, Knurl has performed at experimental music festivals and with such acclaimed experimental musicians as Keiji Haino, M.S.B.R., and Thurston Moore, with releases on the Alien8 Recordings label. Knurl is the alias for Alan Bloor, born in Windsor, Ontario, and trained for nearly a decade in classical and flamenco guitar and jazz bass. In the mid-'80s, Bloor played in several hardcore bands, then experimented with noise while backing up poets reading in Detroit. It was during this time that he began using scrap metal (including fan blades and springs) in his sound making. Bloor began the solo harsh noise project Knurl in 1994 and started performing live the following year. His records are created without the technology often associated with noise music, namely computers and samplers. Knurl's debut recording was Initial Shock (1994), a self-released cassette, followed by the CD Nervescrap on Pure Records. Canada's Alien8 Recordings issued two albums during the late '90s. Knurl can also be heard on compilations from the labels Alien8, Entarte Kunst, Labyrinth, and more. Knurl has performed with such renowned experimental musicians as Keiji Haino, Jim O'Rourke, Haters, Princess Dragon Mom, and more. He has also written scores and performed in multi-media events. ~ Joslyn Layne