Drawing inspiration from a wide range of EBM and industrial based music such as VNV Nation, De/Vision, Nitzer Ebb and KMFDM, Vain Machine’s signature sound features dirty-driving bass lines, sweeping pads, razor sharp leads and rhythmic electronic percussion underpinning infectious melodies.
Established by Beau Baker and Omar Quinones in 2013, the two met in a chance encounter when Beau answered an ad Omar posted looking for musicians to assist in remixing a single for Omar’s project, ROOM 1202. While ROOM 1202 dissolved in 2007; the two musicians remained in close contact and after working with various partners, the duo began pushing forward and creating new ideas that formed the core sound of Vain Machine.
In May 2013 the band self-released a series of tracks which generated a great deal of interest in their music, both online and in their hometown of Los Angeles. The band began playing live shows in November 2013, including the 24th anniversary of local goth-industrial store Ipso Facto, and supporting for the Los Angeles Synthpop Society with local band Savi0r. After only a few live shows they were also selected to open for legendary German electropop act De/Vision.
In September 2014, Vain Machine signed a contract with UK-based independent electronica label AnalogueTrash Records for the release of their upcoming single and album. Their label debut, Push, is released in November 2014 as a digital single featuring the original mix of the track and three remixes from Slave Unit, Mykyl Pagan and David Burdick. A full length album is currently in the final mastering stages and will follow shortly.
Everyone born between 1970 and 1980 has undergone a THE CURE brainwashing, voluntary or not, filled with genius songwriting pearls by Robert Smith & co. Whereas other bands that grew up alongside with them ended up with albums that no longer stand the test of fandom, THE CURE has been able to maintain an overall quality throughout the years, constantly offering unforgettable extended live shows made of nostalgic classic mixed with newer songs, and always reminding us that the unique "THE CURE magic" has remained intact!
Today the Alfa Matrix label roster is paying homage to this great and unique band: THE CURE, choosing classic radio hits but also songs that are less known to the public-at-large but which deserve even more to be heard again, showing that the songs written by Robert Smith and current/ex-members also lend themselves to different music style treatments... All electronic music genres have their very own ambassadors on this 31-track double CD compilation from electro dance to pop rock through dark elektro and modern EBM. Compiled by and for THE CURE fans, "A Strange Play - a tribute to The Cure" will offer you astounding interpretations of classic hits like "A Forest" (MARI CHROME), "Just Like Heaven" (LOVELORN DOLLS), "Charlotte Sometimes" (KANT KINO), "Lullaby" (CYNICAL EXISTENCE), "The Walk" (STAR INDUSTRY), "The Lovecats" (JUNKSISTA), "Fascination Street" (ZOMBIE GIRL), "Lovesong" (SEBASTIAN KOMOR), "Close To Me" (METROLAND), "Pictures Of You" (DIFFUZION), "Why Can't I Be You" (PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE), etc. But some Alfa Matrix bands also dug deeper within THE CURE's huge discography and vast repertoire of songs, covering tracks like "In Your House" (ALIEN VAMPIRES), "Jumping Someone Else's Train" (KANT KINO), "Cold" (TOTEM OBSCURA), "The Drowning Man" (TECHNOIR), "A Strange Day" (AIBOFORCEN), Lament (MONDTRÄUME), "The Figurehead" (SCHWARTZBLUT), "A Night Like This" (XMH), "The Baby Screams" (ARMAGEDDON DILDOS), "Fight" (I:SCINTILLA), "Anniversary" (AESTHETISCHE), "Burn" (HELALYN FLOWERS & ESSENCE OF MIND), "Friday I'm In Love" (COSMIC ARMCHAIR), "Prayers For Rain" (HALO IN REVERSE & REGENERATOR), "Disintegration" (AVARICE IN AUDIO), "Trust" (ACYLUM), "All Cats Are Grey" (AIBOFORCEN), or yet "Sleep When I'm Dead" (NEIKKA RPM).
THE CURE was, is, and will continue to be a major influence and reference, conscious or not, for many underground artists and music lovers. We hope that together with us you will rediscover THE CURE in a way you didn't expect, cruising through their vast catalogue in different soundscapes but always remaining faithful to the band's darker sound.
credits
Electro-Industrial artists Haujobb have announced in the Spring of 2015 they will release a new album titled Blendwerk. It will be released in Europe on Basic Unit Productions and in North America on Negative Gain Productions. Haujobb is a German musical project whose output has ranged drastically within the electronic music spectrum, from electro-industrial to IDM and techno. They have become a staple crossover act, bringing several forms of electro into the mainstream industrial music world.
Haujobb was formed in 1993 by Daniel Myer, Dejan Samardzic, and Björn Junemann, pulling the name from the Blade Runner translation of "skin job". More information on Blendwerk will be made available after the new year.
On Novermber 28th Haujobb will be on the Alliance Of Sound tour with Skinny Puppy, Youth Code, and a possible replacement artist for VNV Nation. Do to some extra travel expenses that have come up for Haujobb they have launched a crowd funding campaign to help cover some of those costs. From their Indiegogo campaign....
"Hello Friends!
We have never thought about launching a crowdfunding campaign before as for our past projects, albums, productions, etc. we could always count on your support so far. But this time we really need additional help. As many of you already know, we are booked for The Alliance Of Sound-Tour in North America (see details below). After (too) many years this is now a great opportunity for us to play an extensive tour on the other side of the world again. Unfortunately, due to altered circumstances our initial plan for transportation on this tour failed. We are working now on plan B and C, which are both significantly more expensive. Regardless if this campaign reaches its goal or not, we will still do this tour (unless other unexpected hurdles cross our way to North America). This campaign is only made to help us cover, at least partly, the now increased costs of travelling and accommodation. Financial support is not the only way to help. Show this campaign to your friends or family or whoever might be interested. Thank you for your continued support, not only in this campaign, but over the past years!"
Haujobb are offering such perks as signed copies of the upcoming album, remix services, equipment that was used to produce their albums, and even to produce an artists release.
Remember this name!
It's a new AMBASSADOR21' side-project!
Debut full-length album is ready. Where, when and motherfucking title - more news to come very soon.
Stay tuned!
With great regret, we have to let you know that, VNV Nation have pulled out of the Alliance of Sound Tour.
Due to a problematic situation, that had unexpectedly worsened in recent weeks, and which was likely to continue doing so, the band and crew deliberated over how to proceed before unanimously coming to the very reluctant decision that the appropriate course of action would be to pull out of the tour.
To all the VNV Nation fans who have bought tickets for this tour, we sincerely apologise for this news, which we know will upset many people. A decision like this is never lightly made and it has pained us greatly to have had to do this. We had been very much looking forward to doing this tour and had planned a great set and show but the situation that had caused us to make this decision had made matters too problematic to continue.
sincerely,
Ronan and Mark
[Added later] P.S. To answer the large number of people who have expressed concern about whether the situation is related to anyone's wellbeing - we can assure you that it is most definitely not health related.