I was thinking of records that really changed my perception of experimental pop music.  I was trying to recall records that effortlessly staddled both genres.  Then I remembered this cassette tape that my Triangle band mate (Brian Tester) left in my vehicle.  I would lose it in the vortex of the unknown in the subaru and then I would find it and leave it in my cassette player for monthes.  This record is OMD’s Dazzle Ships.  OMD’s Dazzle Ships (1982) is a concept record that includes pop perfection along with music concrete influenced sound scapes.  This complete work is a comment on The Cold War and Eastern Bloc politics.

Then after giving this record to Peter in the studio, he actually knew what a Dazzle Ship meant.  Dazzle painting, developed by marine painter Norman Wilkinson, was a style of geometric shaped camouflage painted on war ships in WWI and WWII.  This style of camouflage was not meant to hide the ships, but to disorientate the enemies perception of the ships direction and speed.

Also, I just discovered there were two different covers for this record.  Also, OMD is not just a prom dance.

I saw Hecuba a Los Angeles band, play late fall 2008 at Lobot Gallery in West Oakland, Cali opening for Lucky Dragons and Pit er Pat(Thrill Jockey). They are a two piece and truly outrageous.  Their sound is comprised of a guy on a stripped down drum kit, Roland sp-D sampling/midi drum pad, keys,various percussion and an extremely talented lady lead vocalist/performance artist.  Their music reminds me of early IDM, but with less techno influence.  Lots and lots of sine waves played in rhythmic cyclical patterns much like Gamalan music or India Raga.  However, do not let me lead you astray….the music does not sound “world” just the concepts of that music being manipulated and massaged into pop structure.  They also tip there hats towards minimal wave and early hip hop.

The most impressive thing about Hecuba is their infectuous live show.  The music is performed live or partially live.  Either way it is very organic and feels like a performance and not a karaoke event.  This is something I do with MNDR, of course in my long standing band tRIANLGE, and 0th.  It is something I value.  Putting in the time to be a great performing act and to allow the audience to feel and react to something being made infront of their mugs.  Now it is so so so so so so s much easier to add many elements of a studio produced band into a live performing band.

Anyways, the other thing I enjoy about Hecuba is there love for Yoko Ono.  Especially early 80′s to mid 80′s Ono.  They have truly captured the spirit of minimal wave, funk, performance art, disco and zoomed into the future with an amazing modern flare.

Their full length Paradise is totally awesome.  I bought it off of itunes and I encourage everyone on the internet, which is a lot of people and bots, to do the same.  I also encourage people to purchase it and not to download it because bands that work on an independent level…a true independent band, need people to purchase their art in order to continue on.  It is important.

Check out the video they made for their single Suffering.  Haute.

My bandmate from Triangle, Brian Tester, turned me ont the Sound Lab Mini Synth’s.  He found this man named Alan who lives in the UK who was making battery powered versions of Ray Wilson’s infamous Sound Lab’s in a suitcase with an internal speaker.

I have been using mine in the studio often and for live use.  It has two VCO-CV, VCF-CV, and a GATE IN in order to trigger it from another signal/sound or use it with a keyboard.  It is truly sick and the GATE IN is extremely sensitive.

I have owned mine for almost three years, but I understand that Alan does not make them anymore because it was not cost effective.  However, you can buy the kits and assemble your own.  Please post a link in my comments if you can find his website (I couldn’t).

Project synths and pedals are becoming more common.  It is difficult to find ones that sound amazing and allow for a wide range of sonic possibilities.  This synth was designed with much of that in mind and because of that it sounds truly next and dynamic.

I have already used it on my single FADE TO BLACK and JUMP IN.  Look for it on stage, because I play with it live for all of my new set.  It will be blinking lights at me with only 9volts to power its bone shaking capabilities.

I had the honor of meeting Dave Smith the designer of all Sequential Circuits. at an Eats Tapes/White Willimans concert in San Francisco.  I was super nervous.  His most famouse synth is the Prophet 5, the first programable polyphonic synthesizer.  It is probably one of the most decade defining synths of all time.  My favorite use is on Talking Heads Speaking in Tongues. Regardless, it is a classic and timeless synth!

My band Triangle made our entire first out of print EP using a TOM.  We had two and I had the latin and sound effects cartridge.  I love love love this drum machine.  It is 8 bit and sounds amazing because a true genuis designed it.  The claps are unstoppable.  Peter and I are working on a track right now and we plugged in the TOM to get that snare and clap sound.

claps!

OMG!  Check out this youtube demo.

Also here are some pics of a Prophet 5 and the undeniable consumer monophonic synth, Sequenctial Circuits Pro-One (which reminds me of a Yamaha CS 10….Dave Smith later sold Sequential Circuits to Yamaha).

Dave Smith has not stopped in making defining gear.  I have only programmed the Evolver.  You can check out all of his new designs on his website.

First Programmable Polyphonic Synth

Monophonic Synth

Synth and Sequencer

Hey everyone.
I am currently working on a collection of singles. I have my first one C.L.U.B. up on itunes right now.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=309641365&s=143441

Dip yourself in chrome and let me know what you think.