Today’s video of the day is Wiseblood – "Motorslug" released in 1985.
Wiseblood pushed industrial music into harsher territory with “Motorslug,” released in 1985. The project united JG Thirlwell, best known for Foetus, with Swiss producer and musician Roli Mosimann. Together, they created a relentless blend of industrial, noise rock, and experimental sound. Moreover, “Motorslug” became their debut single on K.422 and Wax Trax! Records. The track runs for more than nine minutes and delivers pounding rhythms, distorted guitars, and aggressive vocals. Meanwhile, its unforgettable refrain, “Keep your eyes on the road and your hands up on the wheel,” drives its chaotic energy. The accompanying video, created by Joe Michelli for Medusa’s video room in Chicago in 1986, later gained updated transitions and visual effects that match the song’s intensity.
“Motorslug” later appeared on Wiseblood’s only full-length album, Dirtdish, released in 1986. As a result, the song became a cornerstone of the record’s uncompromising sound. While Dirtdish expanded the project’s ideas, “Motorslug” already introduced its fierce mix of mechanical rhythms, abrasive guitars, and confrontational lyrics. Furthermore, the original 12-inch single became a collector’s item because it included the Nyak Nyak! #1 comic insert. Even the sleeve encouraged listeners to play the record under fast strobe lights or at high speed, reinforcing its wild artistic vision.
Today, “Motorslug” remains an essential recording for industrial music fans. Likewise, the restored video captures the raw spirit that made Wiseblood influential in underground music. Although the project released only one studio album, its impact reached far beyond Dirtdish. In fact, the collaboration helped shape the aggressive style that JG Thirlwell and Roli Mosimann explored in later work. Therefore, revisiting “Motorslug” offers a glimpse into one of industrial music’s most uncompromising and innovative moments.
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