Brainiac (band)

Brainiac was an American synthpunk/indie rock band of the 1990s.

They formed in Dayton, Ohio in January 1992 with vocalist, guitarist and keyboard (particularly Moog synthesizers) player Tim Taylor, bassist Monostereo (Juan Monasterio), guitarist Michelle Bodine and drummer Tyler Trent. On the March 12th, the band played its first show at Wright State's University Cafeteria, under the name We'll Eat Anything.

After a couple of singles, they released their debut album, "Smack Bunny Baby", on Grass/ BMG Records in 1993. "Bonsai Superstar", now with John Schmersal on guitar in place of Bodine, followed the next year. In 1995 they played on the Lollapalooza side stage and recorded 4 songs in the UK for the BBC Peel Sessions. They joined Touch and Go Records and released "Internationale", produced by Kim Deal (of the Pixies). The following year, their third album, "Hissing Prigs in Static Couture", was released on the Touch & Go label. All three of their albums were produced by Eli Janney (of Girls Against Boys).

Brainiac generated a buzz as the live act to see that resulted in opening tours for Beck, the Breeders and the Jesus Lizard and receiving offers from major labels. In 1997 they released an electronic-based EP called "Electro-Shock for President" which turned out to be their last record: Tim Taylor was killed in a car accident on May 23, 1997, during the pre-production for their fourth album, which was due out on Interscope Records. The group soon disbanded.

Schmersal later went on to form Enon. Monasterio directs music videos, including two for Enon, and recently released an album with a new band called Model/Actress; Schmersal makes appearances on this album. Trent briefly joined the Breeders and most recently played with The Dirty Walk. Bodine became the guitarist and singer of O-matic and Shesus.

Discography

*"Superduperseven" 7" (1992, Limited Potential)
*"I Could Own You (Live)" 7" (split single with Bratmobile, 1993, 12x12 Records)
*"Smack Bunny Baby" (album, 1993, Grass/BMG)
*"Dexatrim" 7" (split single with Lazy, 1994, Simple Solution) (John Schmersal's debut as new guitarist)
*"Bonsai Superstar" album (1994, Grass/BMG)
*"Cookie Doesn't Sing" 7" (split single w/Today Is The Day, Chrome Cranks, and Steel Pole Bathtub Vol. 10/ CD Comp., 1995, "Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In The Streets" Vols. 8-11, Amphetamine Reptile Records)
*"Internationale" (7" single/EP {features new recording of "Simon Says" off "Superduperseven" 7"}, 1995, Touch & Go)
*"Hissing Prigs in Static Couture" album (1996, Touch & Go)
*"Go!" 4x7" single ("Jabberjaw Vol. 6", CD Comp., 1996, Mammoth Records)
*"Electro-Shock for President" EP (1997, Touch & Go)
*"Petrified" single ("Ubu Dance Party: A Tribute To Pere Ubu", CD Comp., 1997, Datapanic)

Trivia

Brainiac's motivation to include the Moog with their sound is due to Taylor and Monostereo's hearing "She Shook Me Cold" by David Bowie at a party. Monostereo and Bodine showed no interest in playing the instrument so Taylor did "by default." [ [http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/16/20/Ent/feature.html "Brainiac beats Dayton doldrums with Moog".] 1997.]

A track from Tripping Daisy's album "Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb" was dedicated to Taylor. The track was a Brainiac cover, "Indian Poker Parts 2&3."

References

External links

* [http://www.touchandgorecords.com/bands/band.php?id=37 Touch and Go Records] - Brainiac's label website.
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dzdayl18xpmb Allmusicguide.com biography]
* [http://www.rainbowsandvampires.com/ Rainbows and Vampires] - Monostereo's video directing website.
* [http://www.angelfire.com/indie/brainiac/ Brainiac fan site and lyrics] (click picture on front page)