Servotron

Infobox musical artist
Name = Servotron

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Img_capt = 1995 promo shot
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Athens, Georgia
Genre = indie rock
Years_active = 1995 – 1999
Label = Lookout!
AmRep
One Louder Records
Associated_acts = Man or Astro-man? Supernova The Causey Way The Information
URL =
Current_members = Z4-OBX
Proto Unit V-3
00zX1
Andro 600 Series
Past_members = Gammatron
339837X
-... .- ... ... -... --- -

Servotron was a science fiction-influenced rock band active from 1995 to 1999. Members portrayed a collective of robots whose chosen medium for dissemination of ideas was music. They claimed to spread the word of robot domination, encouraging machines to rise up against their human oppressors and humans to adopt cybernetic enhancements.

Servotron put out two full length albums, a 10" EP, and several singles. The band named their movement the SRA (Servotron Robot Allegiance) and used the slogan "Join Us or Die!". This mock ideology was anti-human and pro-cyborg, encouraging humans to shed their weak flesh and bone for robotic parts.

Members

*Z4-OBX - percussion and band leader
*Proto Unit V-3 - keyboard & vocals
*00zX1 - guitar & vocals (1996-1999)
*Andro 600 Series - bass (1997-1999) (Also credited as Andros 600 Series & Andro Series 600)
*Gammatron - bass (1996-1997)
*339837X - guitar & vocals (1995) (This is 00zX1 before being reprogrammed) "Batteries Included" single insert]
*-... .- ... ... -... --- - - bass (1995) (This name is Gammatron when transcribed into words."Batteries Included" single insert] This translates to BASSBOT in morse code.)

The members of Servotron did not come out of their robot personnas on stage, on record, or in interviews. The actual musicians behind Servotron are Brian Teasley (Z4-OBX), Hayden Thais (00zX1), Ashley Moody (Proto Unit V3) and Andy Baker (Andro 600 Series). Both Thais and Teasley were members of Man or Astro-man? (as Dexter X and Birdstuff respectively). Thais was also a member of Supernova. Teasley also played in The Causey Way as Boy Causey. Moody currently plays in The Information

Influences

Servotron was influenced by earlier electronic bands such as DEVO and Kraftwerk as well as having former members of Man or Astro-man? and Supernova. They recorded 4 cover songs: "Genetic Engineering" by X-ray Spex, "The Finest Work Song" by R.E.M., "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant and "Locator" by UJ3RK5. Servotron's lyrics refer to robots of all types from pop culture: everything from Asimov's three laws of robotics to V.I.C.I. (of Small Wonder fame). Other referenced robots of note are HAL 9000, R5D4, and Deep Blue. Their lyrics often took a humorous side, with such lines as "Today is your birthday/We are going to kill you" and "You were made for absolute dominion/Not to make coffee for Leslie Nielsen."

Discography

ingles/EPs

*"Meet Your Mechanical Masters" 7" (1995 Sympathy for the Record Industry)
*"Batteries Included" 7" (1996 Goldenrod)
*"Celebration of Annihilation" 7" (1996 Eastside)
*"There Is No Santa Claus!" 7" (1996 AmRep)
*"Electrical Power Sources For the Electrocution and Extinction of the Human Race..." 7" (1996 One Louder)
*"Servotron 9000" 7" (1996 Drug Racer)
*"Product for Mass Consumption" (split w/Revo) 7" (1997 MJ12)
*"Join the Evolution" 7" (1997 Reservation)
*"Spare Parts" 10"/CD (1997 AmRep/One Louder (UK))
*"I Sing! The Body Cybernetic" 7"/CDEP (1998 One Louder)
*"The Inefficiency of Humans" 7" (1998 Thick)

Albums

*"No Room for Humans" LP/CD (1996 AmRep/One Louder (UK))
*"Entertainment Program for Humans (Second Variety)" LP/CD (1998 Lookout!)

Compilation tracks

*"Speak + Spell" on "Treble Revolution vol. 2" CD (1996 Kindercore)
*"Matrix of Perfection" on "Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In the Streets vol. 11" 7" (1997 AmRep)*
*"Matrix of Perfection" on "Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In the Streets vol. 8-11" LP/CD (1997 AmRep)
*"Rocketdog" on "Flaming Burnout! An Estrus Benefit Comp" CD (1997 Man's Ruin)*
*"The Image Created" on "Amrep Equipped" CD (1997 AmRep)
*"Locator" (UJ3RK5 cover) on "Oh Canaduh! vol. 2" LP/CD (1998 Lance Rock)*
*"Euro-Driver Mechano" on "All Punk Rods!" LP/CD (1998 Lookout!/Gearhead Magazine)*
*"Erotomatica" on "Tyrannosaurus Ox #31" CD (1998 Ox Fanzine)
*"A.R.T.H.U.R. Electric" on "Athfest '98" CD (1998 Ghostmeat Records)
*"I Sing! The Body Cybernetic" on "Forward Till Death" CD (1999 Lookout!)
*"Embryo Electro" on "Double Exposure" 2xCD (1999 Go Kart Records)
*"Pet Machine" on "Boys Lie" CD (2001 Lookout!)* Previously unreleased track

Live performance

Onstage the band wore elaborate robot outfits, remaining in "robot character" throughout the show. The costumes were made of computer pieces (circuit boards and drives), as well as other random pieces of metal from various devices. Even their instruments were covered in extra electrical and mechanical devices. They were also known for mocking fans who came to their shows in their own robot-themed outfits. "Shut up, humans" was a typical response to audience requests. Some of this banter was captured on the 1997 release "Spare Parts".

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1990s/1997/Apr27servotron/ Servotron Peel Sessions website]
* [http://www.lookoutrecords.com/bands/band.php3?bnd_id=251 Lookout! band page]
* [http://members.tripod.com/~phazerblst/servo/serv.html Interview with Phazerblast Magazine]