Chaos Control Digizine

Are We McDevo?

Administrator — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:28:25 +0000

From the official Devo website:

McDonald’s & American Idol Go Low
By Co-Opting DEVO’s Energy Dome

We recently discovered that DEVO has once again unwittingly intersected with mainstream pop culture.

McDonald’s fast food restaurants are offering a series of American Idol TV show themed toys in their children’s Happy Meals. One of the toys is named "New Wave Nigel", who sports an orange jumpsuit, punk shades, and an unmistakable DEVO Energy Dome. Flipping a switch plays a DEVO-esque song (which sounds a bit like a mutated version of DEVO’s Doctor Detroit.)

See video here.

Was DEVO ever contacted by McDonald’s, American Idol, or anyone else involved in making and distributing this toy wearing their trademark headgear?
Of course not.

Pioneers who got scalped….again.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our interesting interview with Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo!

New interview with Meat Beat Manifesto

Administrator — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:16:46 +0000

By continually pushing the creative limits of sampling technology, Meat Beat Manifesto have managed to remain just as innovative as they were when they unleashed “Storm The Studio” back in 1988. Elements of such styles as dub, hip hop, industrial and jazz have been heard in Meat Beat Manifesto’s music throughout the years, but their sound has never been derivative of any particular style. Rather, founder Jack Dangers and whomever he is collaborating with at a particular time use electronic music technology to get around any type of musical boundaries that a more traditional band may encounter. Meat Beat Manifesto are back with a new CD, “Autoimmune,” and are hitting the road with a truly multimedia live. We recently did another phone interview with Jack, where he talks about the beginnings of the band, video sampling technology, and more.

Archive Spotlight : Portishead

Administrator — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:39:40 +0000

After a decade long absence, trip-hop pioneers Portishead are back a new album. Appropriately title ‘Third” (it’s their 3rd release, if you don’t count the live album), the disc will be release on April 28th in the UK and the following day in America.

We did an interesting interview with member Geoff Barrow back when the first Portishead album, “Dummy,” was released. Barrow spoke about the creative processes within the band, their interest in film music, and more. The article is available in our archives- check it out here!

For a taste of “Third” you can visit the Portishead myspace page and hear a sample of the track “Machine Gun.” For even more, check out the “Portishead in Portishead” video at current.com. It features performances of 7 songs from the new album.

Young Gods to release acoustic album, “Knock On Wood”

Administrator — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:03:44 +0000

The Young Gods will be releasing a new acoustic album, “Knock On Wood,” on April 18th in Switzerland / April 21st in Europe. They have posted some music samples from it on their myspace page. While known for their creative use of digital sampling, The Young Gods have in recent years been doing acoustic performances that prove their sound can adapt to a non-electronic format. When we spoke to member Franz Treichler last year, he said that the experience would probably lead to an acoustic release. And now it has!

Yaz back with reunion tour!!!

Administrator — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:09:05 +0000

I never thought it would happen, but Yaz have reunited for a tour! Known as Yazoo outside of the US, the duo of Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke are starting off with UK and European dates before coming to America in July. Six shows have been announced:

Jul 07 - Oakland, CA (Paramount Theatre)
Jul 10 - Los Angeles, CA (Orpheum Theatre)
Jul 11 - Los Angeles, CA (Orpheum Theatre)
Jul 14 - Chicago, IL (Chicago Theatre)
Jul 16 - New York, NY (Terminal 5)
Jul 17 - New York, NY (Terminal 5)

In a press release posted on the Mute Records website, the members had this to say about the tour:

Vince Clarke: “It’s been really good going back to these songs after such a long while. Many of them have never been played live. I’m looking forward to performing them with Alison for all the fans who’ve enjoyed our music through the years but never had a chance to see Yazoo in concert”

Alison Moyet: ”Playing this material live is not about revision for me, it is about finishing something we started – writing, recording, performing. Three parts of a whole. A salmon cycle. It’s like going home.”

The tour coincides with the release of a new 4 disc box set, “In Your Room.” For more info, visit the official Yaz/Yazoo website at yazooinfo.com

Kraftwerk announce pre-Coachella US live dates

Administrator — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:05:41 +0000

Electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk have announced a series of US live shows leading up to their performance at the Coachella Music Festival.

The dates are:

Sat 4/19 Minneapolis, MN @ Myth
Sun 4/20 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
Wed 4/23 Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
Sat 4/26 Coachella, CA @ Coachella Music Festival

For more info, visit the official Kraftwerk website at kraftwerk.com

Swamp Thing returns on DVD

Administrator — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:50:23 +0000

DC’s Swamp Thing seemed like a rather unlikely comic book character to be given a live-action TV show, but the resulting USA Network series turned out pretty well. “Swamp Thing: The Series,” which originally ran for 3 seasons beginning in 1990, managed to capture the essence of the character and generally rise above the budget limitations of a cable series. It has finally found its’ way to DVD with a 4-disk season 1 & 2 collection. Actor/stuntman Dick Durock, who played Swamp Thing in both 80’s films, returned as the scientist-turned-swamp creature for the series. The tone was pretty dark and serious; a far cry from the campiness of 1989’s “Return Of Swamp Thing” film. In some episodes Swamp Thing would play a central role in the plot, while others focused more on his arch nemesis, scientist Anton Arcane. The show’s 1/2 hour format was a bit unusual for a sci-fi/drama, but this led to tight storytelling and more of a comic book feel. “Swamp Thing - The Series” is somewhat lacking in terms of DVD extras, but does present interesting interviews with Durock and original comic write Len Wein.

Pablo Sandoz - new project from former Shamen frontman Colin Angus

Administrator — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:26:33 +0000

It’s been almost a decade since the last Shamen album (”UV”) and I’d been wondering what frontman Colin Angus has been up to (I knew rapper Mr. C has been keeping busy with DJing and other projects). So I was very happy to learn that Angus is back with a new musical project called Pablo Sandoz. While there are currently no plans for a CD release or live shows, music samples have been put online at pablosandoz.org. In additional, animator David Normal has created a video for the track “Pyramid”.

For more info on the Shamen, be sure to check out our 1993 interview.