Cognitive Dissonance 4

Cognitive Dissonance 4

August 22, 2026 @ Dissonant Works

Brain Transplant performs in QUAD! St Louis’ OG Harsh Noise Assassination Guild will use 2x the amount of speakers to destroy your ears, because if nothing else, they pride themselves on getting the job done. BT is essentially the duo of Chris Smentkowski and Ajay Khanna; usually on laptops, but also on whatever they feel like at any particular moment and with whomever they feel like. A true St Louis institution.

Apathist! is the duo of Chris Trull and Alex Cunningham Dot Wave performing improvisational guitar and violin. Apathist! hasn’t performed together since 2019! Of course, you know Chris from Darling Little Jackhammer, Yowie and the mighty Grand Ulena; Alex Cunningham has performed with an insane number of improvisors; LaDonna Smith, Weasel Walter, Eli Wallace and perhaps most notably, Gristle McThornbody.

Damon Smith is one of, if not THE top free improv bassist in…