Archival Mixtape #3 – Brainiac

 

Previous mixtapes in the series – Karp | Coil 

 

Historical Note

Well after the death of new wave, Brainiac formed in 1992 with a sound that perfectly epitomized the uptight, herky-jerky tension of the early-’80s movement, as well as its warped sense of song structure and electronic breakdown. The band came together in Dayton, OH, originally the basement experiments of vocalist/keyboard player Tim Taylor and bassist Juan Monasterio. After recruiting guitarist Michelle Bodine and drummer Tyler Trent,Brainiac began playing around the Midwest and hooked up with Limited Potential Records, which released the single Super Duper Seven in September 1992.

After another single, a split with Bratmobile on Dayton’s 12X12 label, Brainiac signed with Grass Records. The group’s debut album Smack Bunny Baby, produced by Girls Against Boys‘ Eli Janney, appeared in mid-1993. During 1994, Brainiac replaced Bodine with guitarist John Schmersal and released their second album, Bonsai Superstar. After a tour on Lollapalooza’s second stage, a performance in Chicago impressed the indieheavyweight Touch & Go, which signed the band and issued their third album, Hissing Prigs in Static Couture, in early 1996.

Brainiac released an EP, Electro-Shock for President, in April 1997, prior to entering the studio to record their fourth album. Over the course of 1996-1997, their profile had grown, and there were rumors that major labels like DreamWorks were interested in signing them after the new album was completed. As the group was recording during the summer, Tim Taylor was tragically killed in a one-car accident, driving home from the studio.

After the band’s dissolution, members went on to play with Enon and Shesus. 

 

Audio / MP3

Flash Ram – from Electro-Shock For President

Vincent Come On Down – from Hissing Prigs In Static Couture

Nothing Ever Changes – from Hissing Prigs In Static Couture

Fresh New Eyes – from Electro-Shock For President

 

Videos

I, Fuzzbot – Live at the Capitol Bar (Omaha, NE / Dec. 1, 1994) 

Radio Apeshot – Live at the Capitol Bar (Omaha, NE / Dec. 1, 1994) 

To The Baby-Counter – Live at the Capitol Bar (Omaha, NE / Dec. 1, 1994)

Hot Metal Dobermans – Live  at Cat’s Cradle (Chapel Hill, NC / 1996)

Cracked Machine – Live at Cat’s Cradle (Chapel Hill, NC / 1996)

Hands Of The Genius – Live at Cat’s Cradle (Chapel Hill, NC / 1996)

Vincent Come On Down

See also: Brainiac on I Heart Noise |  Guilty By Association – Brainiac

Brainiac on Last.fm

Brainiac on MySpace

Culture Of Dayton, Ohio (book)

Drop Zero on Brainiac’s Tim Taylor

 

Sources: Epitonic | Allmusic