U-D-R

Infobox musical artist
Background = group_or_band
Name = [U-D-R]


Landscape = no
Img_capt = A. Finfrock (Phoenix 1999)
Img_size =
Years_active = 1997-Present
Origin = Tucson, Arizona, United States
Genre = Industrial, Synthpop, EBM
Label = Überlaut Productions Group / Überlaut Studios
Current_members = Anthony Finfrock
Leila Aldridge
Past_members = Matt Davis
Greg Willard
URL = [http://homepage.mac.com/udr udronline] , [http://web.mac.com/udr new site]

[U-D-R] is an electro industrial band from Tucson, Arizona. First created in 1997, udr is a project created and maintained by Anthony Finfrock. Inspired as a fan of the genre as well as a former DJ in the Tucson club scene. udr has grown from an experimental remix project to a full band and though in a current hiatus, is continuing as a solo project. udr gained some attention in the southern Arizona scene and played many live shows in both Tucson and Phoenix. Anthony is currently serving in the U.S. Army and is now in the Seattle region.

History

Early years

[U-D-R] began as a remix project in early 1997. Using a freeware .mod editor called meditor several remixes were done of Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Leæther Strip and others. Later in 1997, [U-D-R] became it's own project when the songs "American" and "Ancient Order" were first put together using the same program. The song "American" was rewritten several times using better software and studio equipment and ultimately became a track on udr's first album "Biofilter."

What's in a name

[U-D-R] simplified in writing or text as udr or u.d.r but never UDR. It was an acronym for Under Draconian Rule from '97 through '99. While the name conveyed the intent of the musical message quite well. Too many people associated "draconian" with something from a role-playing game or comic book rather the Greek tyrant. The name also implied irony between Draco's reign and modern image of "Draconian" rule or laws. It was later changed to Unter Das Reich. However some felt that the name had fascist connotations and the meaning of udr was dropped all together. The humorous nickname for the band "üddervogt" was unofficially coined in 2001 (referring to the German band Funker Vogt).

The logo is a circle bound cross with a lever and downward pointing arrow. Long story short, it refers to manipulation of divine protection in place of evil.

"Biofilter / Core"

1997 saw the self release of udr's first album and a remix ep. Logic audio 1.0 and a Power Computing mac clone were used in conjunction with an Alesis QS6 synthesizer to create these albums. Filled with a mix of angry industrial, near synth-pop and filled with samples from movies. These early steps into the industrial genre showed great enthusiasm though marred by poor mastering. They did however create a small and loyal fanbase.

"End of Entropy / Exile"

The 1998 / 1999 followup album and ep. udr performed many of these tracks during the period of their live shows. "Licht" was regularly played the The Fineline's second location in Tucson, as well as several other tracks. "EoE" leaned away from the typical aggressive electro sound and had more of a synth-pop vibe than the previous work. It was considerably more accessible and expanded the band's fanbase in southern Arizona. Live shows included Matt Davis on keys and Greg Willard on guitars. In 1999 Leila Aldridge joined the lineup and contributed female vocals to some songs. Live venues included The Fineline, The Rock and Double Zero in Tucson as well as The Mason Jar and The Nile in Phoenix.

"Version 4 (4.2)"

The last album that udr officially "released" in 2000. Leila Aldridge contributed vocals to many of the tracks and aided in musical direction and songwriting. The songs were a mix of synth-pop, goth and harder electro styles. Some of these songs as well as unreleased material were performed live in the last few shows [ [http://www.thelastdance.com/tours%202000.html The Last Dance - Official Homepage ] ] .

"2001-2003"

[U-D-R] was put on hold and the side-project "encode" was established in its place. Though the encode album "binary" was never finished, many instrumental tracks were completed and might resurface as future udr songs. Along with the encode project, Anthony also worked with Stephen Holder to open Asylum Nightclub in downtown Tucson as continued on there as a DJ. In 2003 Anthony joined the U.S. Army.

"Prometheus"

The current album in progress. Some of the songs have been published on the internet and have gotten club play in southern Arizona and Seattle. This album was slated for a 2008 release but has been delayed due to Anthony being in Iraq.

Influence

Initially udr's biggest influences were Leæther Strip and Nine Inch Nails But he has also drawn from many different electronic bands throughout the industrial genre.

Band members

*Anthony Finfrock: Creator and songwriter / vocalist. Anthony also acts as producer and engineer for the band. He has also done some studio work for other Tucson bands.
*Leila Aldridge: Vocals and songwriting (1999-Present).
*Matt Davis: Programming and live keys (1998-2000).
*Gregg Willard: Guitars (exile) and live guitars (1998-1999).

*Several other members have contributed to udr live shows over the years.

Discography

[U-D-R] has produced:

*1997: "Biofilter"
*1997: "Core (EP)"
*1997: "Biofilter 2" (Biofilter + Core double cd set)
*1998: "End of Entropy"
*1998: "Exile (EP)"
*1999: "Version 4"
*2001: "binary" (encode side-project / unreleased)
*2008: "Prometheus" (In Progress)

In addition, the band has released 2 remix albums:

*1998: "Mephisto"
*2000: "Tainted"

Prospective re-releases

Anthony plans to re-release select songs from Biofilter, EoE and v4 sometime after Prometheus is complete. He indicated that there were many good songs on those early recordings that deserve a second chance.

External links

* [http://web.mac.com/udr] − official website
* [http://homepage.mac.com/udr] − official old website
*MySpace-music|udr

References