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FANTÔMASTIQUE
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INNOMINAT
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MIKE PATTON PARODIES
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MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS
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NAKED CITY EPHEMERA
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XTREME COVER SONGS
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EXOTICA HISTORY TOUR
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EXOTICA HISTORY TOUR is your essential guide to the venues of Exotica music that still exist within the Waikiki resort on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. Exotica was developed as a music style that combined pseudo-Polynesian rhythms with referential instrumentation from the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. This blended elements from environmental sounds, jazz arrangements, and romantic themes from famous films. Les Baxter, Martin Denny, and Arthur Lyman were true innovators and pioneers of Exotica music that was primarily produced during the nineteen-fifties and sixties. Waikiki has plenty of live lounges and hotel bars where musicians performed the cultural hybrid music that became known as Exotica. Legendary locations like The Shell Bar and Surf Room provided intimate venues where these musicians could experiment with Exotica music. Some still exist today and are awaiting to be discovered whenever you visit Waikiki. Most of the wonderful locations listed here are within walking distance along the Waikiki waterfront… [Read More]…
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ARTIST FEATURES |
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ASVA
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ASVA is a drone-rock supergroup spreading a contagious disease of creative music from Seattle, Washington. This band is a collaboration between members of Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3, Sunn 0))), and Burning Witch. Their music unleases a legion of doom music using minimal percussion, droning guitars, and dark poetry. Asva have successfully integrated intimate electro-acoustic sounds with a natural progression in drone rock music. Their epic compositions surround the listener with shimmering sonic energy, sub-harmonic tones, and low-end vibrations. Asva breathe new life into a sonic dimension, creating an atmosphere with haunting notes capable of sending a sudden chill through the listener’s
ear. Asva also amplify ambience through delicate drones and visceral vocals in their world of minimalist music. Asva’s titles are encrypted in a Cyrillic alphabet, and heavily influenced by the writings of Russian futurists like Aleksei Kruchenykh, Elena Guro, and Vasily Kemensky. Asva consists of…[Read More]… |
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DAIQUIRI
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DAIQUIRI is an electro-punk duo from Ottawa, Canada. In 1999, the band started as a four-piece but has now been reduced to it’s core members: Mike Hickey [Vocals, Electronics] and Leigh Newton [Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, Drums, Programming]. Together they serve up an infectious soup full of chunky samples, choppy riffs and chewable vocals. Influences include Aphex Twin, Destiny’s Child and Devo among many others. Daiquiri has also had the pleasure of touring with Estradasphere, Faxed Head, Neil Hamburger and Tub Ring. Daiquiri deliver an unforgetable live experience by adding their special blend of energetic electronics and powerful presence on stage. Their original material is a fantastic force which is best felt live. Memorable highlights include their unique cover of Kelis’ “Milkshake” which propelled Club Rockit into orbit. Within seconds, it’s pulsating intro got audience members dancing. Daiquiri combined the infectious beat of Milkshake with minor lyrical alterations, creating a… [Read More]…
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DON SALSA
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DON SALSA is an experimental avant-jazz-metal collective from Los Angeles, California. Their music uses dizzying genre-shifts and structured improvisation to feed chaotic compositions. The birth of Don Salsa began in 1990 when Tim Smolens met Jason Schimmel at Miraleste High School in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Over the next seven years, their friendship was enriched by their freakish fascination for weird and wonderful music. This parallel passion for extreme music spawned Don Salsa and was encapsulated in their studio recordings. During 1997, Tim Smolens, Jason Schimmel, and Jeff Attridge co-wrote, recorded, and produced Don Salsa’s debut album “Koolaid Moustache In Jonestown”. The complete album is a chaotic trip with decent amounts of noise, pop, surf-rock, metal, jazz, game music, and medleys which could suit film scores or even television commercials. Don Salsa provide the opposite to easy listening by challenging and stimulating the listening ear…[Read More]…
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DÜREFORSÖG
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DÜREFORSÖG are an avant-metal group from Copenhagen, Denmark. Their name originates from the Danish words for “Scientific Experiments” and “Animal Testing”. Düreforsög is a twisted laboratory of skewed musical mayhem. Their compositions incorporate intense rhythm sections, unusual chord structures, offbeat arrangements, and creative programming, delivered with surreal vocals. These are the exact elements that make Düreforsög’s music a mind altering experience. Düreforsög’s dynamic bursts of art-core musicianship make them one of the most unique groups producing music today. Their musical diversity has been influenced by avant-garde legends The Residents, Mr. Bungle, and Melt Banana. Düreforsög’s debut live performance was within a circus tent and by 1997the band had already performed at major music festivals throughout Europe. Düreforsög even provided support for Faith No More’s final visit to Copenhagen during the “Album Of The Year” tour in July 1997… [Read More]…
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EFTUS SPECTUN
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EFTUS SPECTUN are an angular math-pop trio from Bath, England. Their unique compositions are often short, genre-shifting, tempo-changing works of superb musicianship. A multitude of musical influences can be heard throughout their albums, including Frank Zappa& The Mothers Of Invention, Mr. Bungle, Naked City, Tom Waits, U.S. Maple, The Cardiacs, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Eftus Spectun’s initial incarnation in 1999 was structured around a quirky quartet performing avant-pop and experimental music. The bandnow continues with it’s core members Olly White [Guitar & Vocals], Sam Langley [Lead Vocals & Bass] and Kieran Shehy [Drums]. A trio of eccentric Englishmen producing a humourous concoction of intricately timed music. Eftus Spectun’s sound collides dislocated rhythm and nonsensical lyrics with contagious melodies. Their music has featured on Resonance 104.4 FM and Xtreme Radio 1431 AM, broadcasted worldwide alongside Japanese duo Ruins, Danish metal group Düreforsög… [Read More]…
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EL DOUJE
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EL DOUJE was born Douglas Smolens in Guadalajara, Mexico in the early 1970s. From an early age, he was exposed to and sought out a diverse range of musical styles. In high school, he started playing drums in a band that would go on to become Don Salsa and record the legendary cult phenomenon, “Koolaid Moustache In Jonestown”. It wasn’t until after that album was finished that he really heard flamenco music for the first time, and his life would be changed forever. For whatever the reason, this particular form of artistic and emotional expression resounded so powerfully within him, he resolved to absorb this exotic music that seemed to cut deeper into his soul than anything previously felt. And so, at age 23, he started playing flamenco guitar. Having dabbled in guitar for a long time, this new, challenging music inspired the young artist to throw himself completely into it. Enraptured by the powerful rhythms, haunting harmonies, and heart wrenching vocals, he gradually absorbed the repertoire. Having come from California… [Read More]…
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ELYSIAN FIELDS
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ELYSIAN FIELDS is primarily a love-rock duo from New York, formed by songwriters Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow. Elysian Fields take their name from a place in Greek mythology where the heroes and poets go when they die, it’s a paradise in the afterlife. This exclusive performance featured Jennifer Charles [Vocals], Oren Bloedow [Guitar], Thomas Bartlett [Piano, Keyboards, Xylophone, Electronics], Shahzad Ismaily [Bass] and Roberto Rodriguez [Drums]. Elysian Fields played to a respectful audience at The Tonic – one of the world’s best venues for avant-garde, creative and experimental music. They opened with Pulp’s “This Is Hardcore”, a beautiful cover that set the tone for the entire performance. Jennifer Charles’ exquisite voice sang emotional lyrics that were at times, combined with haunting harmonies from guitarist Oren Bloedow. Another treat was hearing their cover of “Lifeboat” by Lovage. The perfect marriage was consecrated between tickling keys and tender vocals… [Read More]…
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FAKE NO MORE
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FAKE NO MORE is a British tribute to one of the most influential rock groups of recent times, Faith No More. During April 1998, the original band split up in their prime and left fans still wanting more. In 2002, Fake No More formed to faithfully recreate an energetic presence through Faith No More’s music. Since then they’ve been producing electrifying stage performances throughout the South-West of England. Fake No More’s live performances include most of Faith No More’s album material, b-sides and rarities. You’ll hear a selection from their greatest hits, including “Midlife Crisis”, “Ashes To Ashes”, and Lionel Richie’s “Easy”. Fake No More’s favourites include “Be Aggressive”, “Introduce Yourself”, and “Collision”. In past performances, Fake No More have successfully re-established the funeral image of FNM’s final tour for Album Of The Year. On a rare occassion, their bassist even appeared in a bumble-bee costume, paying tribute to Billy Gould’s performance on Channel 4’s “The Word” back in… [Read More]…
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FAKE NO MORE.NL
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FAKE NO MORE.nl is the ultimate tribute to Faith No More formed from a collective based in The Netherlands. This unique band are loyal to the energetic and dynamic live shows that Faith No More toured with worldwide. Fake No More is Steven Tolkamp [Vocalist],Maurice Lohschelder [Guitar], Marius Seidel [Bass], Peter Stevens [Keyboards], and Marlon Wolterink [Drums]. Fake No More’s vocalist Steven Tolkamp plays a perfect Mike Patton through his precise vocals that really live up to his reputation as being “The Dutch Mike Patton”. Fake No More have also performed live on Dutch National Radio 3FM on several occasions, during Marisa’s Nachtmiss and Giel Beelen’s radio show, one of the most famous DJs in The Netherlands. Fake No More’s award-winning performance at The Clash Of The Cover Bands finale featured a forty-five minute set tributing the multiple moods of Faith No More. Fake No More’s sensational performance accurately showcased style diversity with energetic stage presence… [Read More]…
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GOD OF SHAMISEN
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GOD OF SHAMISEN is a prog-rock funk-fusion band from Santa Cruz, California, who are responsible for pioneering a new style of California Tsugaru Shamisen in the twenty-first century. The band is fronted by Shamisen virtuoso Kevin Kmetz, who plays the TsugaruShamisen, and the Mugen 21 Electric Shamisen. This three-string lute-like instrument originates from the Tsugaru region of Northern Japan. It is usually performed in a folk style, yet the Spirit of Shamisen is often compared to jazz, especially when approached from an improvisational perspective. Kevin Kmetz has produced an illustrated history of Tsugaru Shamisen for those interested in learning more about this fascinating musical instrument. In addition, Daijo Kazuo’s book “The Birth Of Tsugaru Shamisen Music” provides comprehensive information on the creative marginality that stimulated Shamisen popularity into one of the most loved traditional instruments in Japanese culture. God Of Shamisen is Kevin Kmetz [Shamisen], Mark Thornton [Guitar & Bass]… [Read More]…
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GOOD FOR COWS
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GOOD FOR COWS is a San Francisco-based duo with drummer Ches Smith and double-bassist Devin Hoff. Their original compositions demand precision musicianship, complex structuring and rigorous physical endurance. Good For Cows perform an open range of instrumental pieces with many time-signature cuts and breaks. Lively improvisation and structured melodies are showcased throughout their music portfolio. A dynamic double act with a daring dialogue between double-bass and drum instruments. Good For Cows produce focused music which is extremely commanding and challenging to execute. Good For Cows performed a captivating live set to an engaging audience at Bottom Of The Hill. Compositional structures were well balanced with improvisational interludes. The duo performed songs with tight fragments of bass hooks and drum kicks. The members of Good For Cows have certainly established a bilingual understanding of each other’s performing styles. Devin Hoff’s intense… [Read More]…
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GYMNASTIC DECOMPOSITION
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GYMNASTIC DECOMPOSITION is a grindcore-micro-noise project from Newport, Wales. This happy-grindcore-haikore band embraces a number of made-up genres for ludicrously short songs. Gymnastic Decomposition uses a variety of innovative production techniques to create their bizarre and brain-blistering assault of circuit-bent compositions. Many of their recent tracks were multitracked from drum machines, bass, noise, and vocals sourced from digital pocket studio warped through digital effects. Gymnastic Decompositionhave a common rule to all their tracks that they must be less than one-minute long, however, many compositions usually just reach a few seconds in duration. Referential influences from their music include Fantômas, Lightning Bolt, The Melvins, Merzbow, NapalmDeath, and button-bashing pleasures of Nintendo. Gymnastic Decomposition is under the creative supervision of animator, artist, and noisician Tim Drage. He also produces stop motion animations and short surrealist films with his… [Read More]…
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HEMOPHILIAC
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HEMOPHILIAC are a brutal improv-noise trio consisting of John Zorn [Alto-Saxophone, Voice], Mike Patton [Voice, Electronics], and Ikue Mori [Drum Machines, Electronics]. Three musicians responsible for releasing music from the outer reaches of musical madness. Tzadik’s Special Edition Hemophiliac 2CD set (2500 copies) was autographed by John Zorn, Mike Patton, and Ikue Mori and distributed worldwide by Tzadik, Ipecac, and the Downtown Music Gallery. Each musician signed there name on the front cover of thepackaging which included four image cards inside the fold-out CD case. This instantly became an extremely rare collector’s item and quickly sold-out due to it’s initial print quantity and the fact that it will never be re-issued. On Hemophiliac’s New Years Eve performance, The Tonic was packed with two-hundred music enthusiasts anticipating an unforgettable show. What they experienced proved to be a phenomenal evening of extreme music initiated by the noise trio Hemophiliac… [Read More]…
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HERBIE HANCOCK
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HERBIE HANCOCK is one of the world’s most prolific jazz performers. The prodigy pianist has amazed audiences worldwide with his incredible talent, technique and ability to cross stylistic boundaries. An innovative musician who refuses to be categorized. A true icon of modern music and one of the century’s greatest visionaries. A ingenious man who has collaborated with some of the finest jazz musicians from the past forty years. In addition, he has inspired countless musicians to pursue their creative passions. Herbie Hancock played a two-week residence at the Blue Note over the Christmas and New Years period of 2003 – 2004. The Blue Note is the most prestigious jazz and blues venue in New York City. Their performance calender is continuously scheduled with legendary musicians who have achieved worldwide recognition. Therefore, it seems too easy for a musician to abuse the notoriety they’ve acquired throughout their career. Herbie Hancock’s New Years Day performance offered some brief examples… [Read More]…
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LOOP!STATION
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LOOP!STATION are a contemporary classical duo from San Francisco who have mastered the art of live looping technology. Their music has classical influences that are juxtaposed with a cappella harmonies. Golden cello player Sam Bass begins each song by introducing a backing track precisely sequenced into the loop station. He then establishes a bassline which rest upon a harmonious melody. Once enough audio layers have been arranged, the vocal talents are performed by the gifted Robin Coomer. Her triple vocal harmonies are at times operatic and at tranquil moments, will be soft and soothing. Loop!Station have an unforgetable stage presence that amazes everyone when they perform their live sessions. It’s incredible to witness two musicians map an entire world of music around them. Their equipment consists of one microphone, four digital delays, three reverbs and a distortion pedal. All loops are originally created and sequenced live on stage in front of an entire audience. During their Studio Z set, the duo treated… [Read More]…
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MATMOS
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MATMOS is the creative core of San Francisco-based couple Drew Daniel and Martin Schmidt. Throughout their music career they have incorporated the work of many experimental Bay Area musicians. Together they have toured with Bjork and The Rachels, collaboratedwith Kronos Quartet, Kid606 and Mu-ziq, remixed Erase Errata, The Melvins, Tipsy, Iannis Xenakis and Otomo Yoshihide. Matmos drawn their influences from musique concrete and contemporary sampling, sequencing and digital signal processing techniques. The electronic duo create music from everyday instruments and through unusual sound sources. Past recordings from Matmos have built rhythmic mosaics from liposuction surgery rooms, rat cages, whoopie cushions, latex clothing and infamously, the amplified synapse of crayfish nerve tissue. Asphodel Records hosted two evenings of live surround audio, visual performances, diffusions and past works from Francis Dhomont, Richard Chartier and Jean Francois Denis… [Read More]…
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MIKE PATTON VS. RAHZEL
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MIKE PATTON VS. RAHZEL is a captivating collaboration between two of the world’s greatest vocal performers. Mike Patton’s prolific music portfolio is extremely diverse due to his versatile vocal ability. He was former frontman of Faith No More and has just recently announced his departure from an eighteen year relationship with his high-school art-rock band Mr. Bungle. Throughout his collaborative works he has touched upon every musical style imaginable and has developed a worldwide fan base. Mike Patton’s vocalcontortions still continue in Fantomas, Tomahawk, Lovage, Peeping Tom, and a multitude of side-projects. Rahzel has mastered the quintessential art of human beat-boxing and is undisputed “Godfather Of Noyze”. This vocal percussionist is best known as a member of hip-hop’s cutting-edge live band The Roots. Rahzel’s fascinating rhythmical beats are produced only using highly trained vocal apparatus. He is able to accurately recreate a variety of sounds from vinyl scratches to… [Read More]…
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MOE!KESTRA!
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MOE!KESTRA! perform sound sculptures that challenge conventional composition. This exceptional orchestra is the brainchild of Moe! Staiano, who emerges as a skilled conducter and composer. Through an extensive glossary of hand cues, Moe! Staiano has developedaunique voice for conducting improvisation. In addition, Moe! is a proficient percussionist for two bands, Vacuum Tree Head and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. His multi-instrumentalist talents have been enriched through found objects and prepared percussion. Moe!Kestra! performed “Piece No. 7: An Inescapable Siren Within Earshot Of Hearing Distance Therein And Other Whereabouts”. An orchestration for guitars, percussion, strings, u-bolts, wine glasses and sirens. The live performance at 12 Galaxies featured percussive portraits framed by reverberating strings. Music featured in cyclic clusters reminisent of Glenn Branca’s minimalistic guitar music. Striking industrial u-bolts produced a high pitched yet dense noise… [Read More]…
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PRELAPSE
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PRELAPSE are a Naked City cover band originally from Boston, Massachusetts. A quintet consisting of Mason Wendell [Bass & Vocals], Alex Lacamoire [Keys & Direction], Dane Johnson [Guitar], Jeff Hudgins [Saxophone & Clarinet], Andy Sanesi [Drums] with John Zorn appearing as a guest musician on alto-saxophone. Prelapse began as the collaborative efforts between musicians educated at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. In May 1994, Mason Wendell and Alex Lacamoire transcribed and performed three Naked City compositions originally written by John Zorn. By 1995, they had successfully transcribed a total of thirty-five tracks from Naked City’s music portfolio, and decided to play them live at a Naked City Tributeshow. After a Painkiller appeared in Boston during 1995 at a live venue called the Middle East, Prelapse members approached John Zorn to share their Naked City transcripts with him. John Zorn was extremely impressed and allowed the band to… [Read More]…
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RICHARD CHEESE
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RICHARD CHEESE and Lounge Against The Machine perform swankified lounge arrangements of rock, pop, R&B and hip-hop tunes. No genre of music is safe from their novelty cocktail mixes. Lounge covers have existed well before Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. first started singing their way through lounge music, lush ladies and long martinis. Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine are the latest group to adopt the over-used concept of lounge covers, which consistently proves to be a winningformula. Richard Cheese opened the night at the Red Devil Lounge with “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails. Audience members got into full swing and were treated to new lounge arrangements of Kelis’ “Milkshake”, Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” and Slayer’s “War Ensemble”. Richard Cheese’s persona is slightly sleazy yet his comedic gags are aided by hardcore lyrics and plenty of musical alterations. Highlights from the live performance included boob signing, indecent proposals and the pledge of allegiance to… [Read More]…
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SCOTT HULL
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SCOTT HULL is the principle sound engineer for Tzadik Records and is responsible for a prolific mastering discography. He has worked at many mastering studios including The Hit Factory, Classic Sound, and Jigsaw Sound, all based in New York City. This digital mastermind has the ear for making projects sound beautiful whilst encapsulating the artist’s undiluted musical vision. He ultimately wants to achieve what every music producer has in their imagination. Scott Hull is known for matching the sound to the exact specifications desired for each mastering project. His albums consistently have brilliant sound with distinct clarity and precision mixing. Each project has only one finishing point defined as pure perfection. Scott Hull masters over two-hundred full length albums each year, including several studio projects from Tzadik-related artists including Anthony Coleman, Carla Kihlstedt, Dave Douglas, Derek Bailey, Elysian Fields, Fred Frith, Jamie Saft, Otomo Yoshihide, and Shelley Hirsch. In addition… [Read More]…
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SIR MILLARD MULCH
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SIR MILLARD MULCH is an esoteric supervillian music composer / author / essayist / artist whose cult-following and / or list of secret admirers includes Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle / Faith No More / Secret Chiefs 3) Steve Vai, Mike Keneally, Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Ocean Machine, Vai), Morgan Agren (Zappa’s Universe, Dweezil Zappa), and Dave Meros of Spock’s Beard. Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater even purchased one of his albums recently. Eric Johnson, however, did not. His tedious-to-create-and-consume music and essays have inspired and angered countless people on virtually every continent for over a decade. In late 2002, he declared himself “San Francisco’s Most Modern Thinker,” but decided that Florida would leave him in a more geographically-challenged and isolated environment from which to work from – so he did what anyone would do: he got a job cleaning pools. His Triple-Disc Concept Album, “How To Sell The Whole F#@!ing Universe To Everybody, Once And For All!” was released on… [Read More]…
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SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM
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SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM is an avant-garde performance art prog-rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area. The museum concluded their 32 date tour of the U.S.A by showcasing a special exhibit at the Oakland Metro. Staff members include violinist/vocalist Carla Kihlstedt (Tin Hat Trio, Charming Hostess), guitarist/vocalist Nils Frykdahl (Idiot Flesh), bassist/instrument builder Dan Rathbun, drummer Frank Grau & multi-percussionist Moe! Staiano. Included is a fully equipped arsenal of home-made instruments and percussion based weaponry. The terrifying assault performed by these highly talented musicians is not for the faint-hearted. The grand opening featured a deafening siren which was a suitable cuefor everyone to secure their ear plugs. Spotlights searched the crowd until they landed upon various members of the band wearing farmyard animal masks. Slowly they made their way through the audience and onto the stage. The siren faded and the theatrical groupkicked into their… [Read More]…
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THE BLEEDER GROUP
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THE BLEEDER GROUP are an innovative avant-pop-rock lineup from Denmark. Their music blurs the line between experimental-pop and intricate-rock. The Bleeder Group have maintained an astounding ability to play complicated rhythmic grooves with complete composure. The band is fronted by legendary and controversial guitarist Peter Peter Schneidermann, who was previously involved in Denmark’s first and best punk-rock band Sods, later renamed as Sort Sol. These post-punk rockers achieved international acclaim from the underground circuits during the early-eighties. Peter Peter has also worked with Martin And The Martians, Monomania, Tapehead, Tee Vee Pop, and Tina Talks. Peter Peter left his band Sort Sol in 1995 and formed a new group called Bleeder. They toured extensively and in 1997, Sony Music released their debut “Psycho Power” that featured a successful single covering The Osmonds’ “Crazy Horses”. Since then Peter Peter has been composing music and writing lyrics for… [Read More]…
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THE DEMIX
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THE DEMIX is an experimental DJ/Producer/Musician who has developed a unique style of sound manipulation and music deconstruction. Noise diffusions are engineered through abusing technological tools like turntables, CD players, effect sequencers and a powerfullaptop. His studio work has mixed, sampled and reconstructed work from various influences including Fantomas, The Melvins, Naked City, Kid606 and The Dillinger Escape Plan. On the debut release “Storm”, a diabolical nightmare is created through distorted rhythm, twisted samples and ambient soundscapes. Rhythmic walls of noise battle against obscure samples from both Mike Patton and John Zorn projects. “Scene 1 / Trapper.Keeper.Stalker.Dead.Silent” contains a discrete sample of “Invocation” from John Zorn’s IAO: Music In Sacred Light and “Page 22” off the self-titled release from Fantomas. The real treat on the album is the epic medley “Scene 6 / Re:1diedjdie.letmeoutofhere”. This particular track… [Read More]…
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THE LOCUST
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THE LOCUST is a cathartic noise quartet from San Diego, California. This plagued punk group hatched in 1995 and began combining a cacophonous clamour with a blistering buzz of ultra-abrasive music. The band creates complex and concise compositions using corrosive spasms and tricky time signatures. Their spazz-grind uses sci-fi noise with razor-sharp song structures that penetrate with shrieking vocals and strafing guitars over relentless bass and solid synths. The Locust like to express sound as a musical metaphor for human evolution in a post-modern contemporary-capitalistic society. They reflect the fast function of problem solving with rapid tempo changes through unpredictable split-second screams, space-riffs, and sonic spasms. Their undecipherable lyrics are made from provocative song titles and involve chaotic cynicism. The Locust’s music is an unforgiving battle royale in a high-velocity aural-art universe, especially when the band members battle for scream supremacy. The Locust prolifically produced a series of… [Read More]…
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TIPSY
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TIPSY is San Francisco electronic-exotica duo Tim Digulla and David Gardner. Chaotic interpolations are sequenced together with ‘happy accidents’ to create a musical collision of every style imaginable. Tipsy’s quirky and whimsical music is infectious, inventive and inspiring. Musicial influences range from exotica pioneers Les Baxter and Martin Denny, early synthesiser music from Morton Spotnik and Dick Hyman, to the 1930’s cartoon-jazz by Raymond Scott and Spike Jones. Tipsy’s special cocktail of plunderphonics fuse experimental elements with instrumental samples. For example, their Swedish Erotica Mix of Pulp’s “This Is Hardcore” uses a brass sample of “Bolero On The Moon Rocks” composed by Peter Thomas. Tipsy have also prostituted their talents to Lords Of Acid’s “Spank My Booty”, creating The Paddles And Whipped Cream Mix. A discrete sample from “Run Alice Run” by 101 Strings Orchestra was used a smooth backing track to this tasty mix. More recently, Tipsy have… [Read More]…
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TONIC
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It’s an extremely common occurrence: New York City music fans have strolled through the Lower East Side, searching for a small slice of experimental music heaven known as TONIC. Many have searched and searched only to end up scratching their heads and asking themselves, “Where the heck is this place?” The low key music venue that sits at 107 Norfolk Street in Manhattan is as unassuming as the empty parking lots near it. The building’s faded paint job and don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it sign sum up the club’s no frills atmosphere and direct attitude. Tonic has existed since 1998 as one of the few New York City venues that can honestly say they’re about the music. However, the venue’s philosophy is not the best business model. In early February Tonic owners Melissa Caruso-Scott and husband John Scott realized one thing: If they could not come up with $100,000 in less than a month to repair wrecked plumbing and recover from surging rent their venue and second home would be closed… [Read More]…
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TRIO-CONVULSANT
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TREVOR DUNN’S TRIO-CONVULSANT is a jazz trio incorporating elements of rock music within a compositional framework. The music contains complicated musical passages allowing free improvisation from each participating musician. This organic development to the music sounds more fluid than the cut-and-paste technique, performing power chords matched alongside atonal melodies. In March 1999, their debut album “Debutantes And Centipedes” was released on an obscure Dutch label called Buzz Records, featuring Adam Levy onguitar and New York session drummer Kenny Wollesen. By 2004, band leader Trevor Dunn had restructured the trio’s line-up, which now included guitarist Mary Halvorson and drummer Ches Smith. Trevor Dunn’s latest release “Sister Phantom Owl Fish” from Ipecac Recordings, contains a great selection of original music, plus cover songs of Andre Previn’s “I’m Sick” and Duke Ellington’s “The Single Petal Of The Rose”. Trevor Dunn’s Trio-Convulsant has also embarked on… [Read More]…
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TUB RING
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TUB RING is a schizophonic-punk-rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Their evolving style has been inspired by bands like Mr. Bungle, Radiohead and Mindless Self Indulgence. They have worked closely with Trey Spruance (Secret Chiefs 3, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More) and toured extensively with Estradasphere, Dillinger Escape Plan and Dog Fashion Disco. Tub Ring is Kevin Gibson [Vocals], Rob Kleiner [Keyboards], Jason Fields [Bass], Shawn Sprinkel [Guitar] and Dave Tavares [Drums]. Science, Mathematics and Technology are just some of the reoccuring themes throughout Tub Ring’s music portfolio. Tub Ring’s live performance at Club Rockit was fast-paced and extremely energetic. Each band member was fueled by the crowd’s continued enthusiasm. Rob Kleiner added to the energy through his keyboard acrobatics that were dynamic, daring and raw. The audience embraced familiar songs and welcomed new tunes like “Habitat” with prolonged applause. Tub Ring included album favorites from… [Read More]…
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WILLIAM WINANT
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WILLIAM WINANT is one of the most important musicians working in the avant-garde and contemporary music scene. He is the principal percussionist for The San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and The John Zorn Chamber Ensemble. Winant has made significant collaborations with Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Berkeley Symphony, and The Kronos String Quartet. William Winant is an integral member of Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3, Oingo Boingo, and The Abel-Steinberg-Winant Trio. This prolific percussionist also features on album recordings by Dieselhed, Melt Banana and Weird Little Boy. William Winant has produced pieces with many innovative musicians including Mike Patton, Trey Spruance, David Slusser, Bob Ostertag, Fred Frith, Virgil Shaw, John Cage, Iannis Xenakis, Lou Harrison, Yo-Yo Ma, and Frank Zappa. William Winant is on the music faculty and Artist-In-Residence program at Mills College in Oakland, California. He is a guest lecturer and continues… [Read More]…
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PARTIAL FEATURES |
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CHARMING HOSTESS
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DAVE MURRAY
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DAVID SLUSSER
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EL DOUJE
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ESTRADASPHERE
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EX-GIRL
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FAITH NO MORE
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FANTÔMAS
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FARMERS MARKET |
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FAUN FABLES
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FLAT EARTH SOCIETY
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GAVIN DUNNE
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HELLA
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IMPERIAL TEEN
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JOHN ZORN
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KAADA
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KMFDM
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LOVAGE
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MALDOROR
|
MARTIN DENNY
|
MIKE PATTON
|
|
MOISTBOYZ
|
MONDO GENERATOR
|
MR. BUNGLE
|
|
NAKED CITY
|
NEIL HAMBURGER
|
NUMBERS
|
|
SECRET CHIEFS 3
|
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
|
THE SCALLIONS
|
|
THE X-ECUTIONERS
|
TODD NUGENT
|
TOMAHAWK
|
|
TWO FOOT YARD
|
