The Nihilist Spasm Band, a Canadian noise band, was formed in 1965 in London, Ontario. The group included Hugh McIntyre, John Clement, John Boyle, Bill Exley, Murray Favro, Archie Leitch, Art Pratten, and Greg Curnoe. They secured a residency at the York Hotel, performing as a noise experiment. Their album, No Record, was released in 1968. The band's unique approach involved homemade instruments and improvisation without tuning or imposed tempos. They performed internationally, including tours in Japan and Europe, and represented Canada at the 1969 Biennale de Paris. Notable albums include Vol. 2 (1979) and ¬x~x=x (1985). The band celebrated its 50th anniversary with live appearances featuring Joe McPhee in 2015.
