Das War Krach – Protokino

The first LP from Zürich duo Das War Krach (a new band formed by members of Metallspürhunde) was released earlier this year through German label Danse Macabre Records.

Protokino features eight songs of dark electropop with a balance of dense electronics, guitars and live drums, and German lyrics sung by both Michel and Marion.  There’s a wry sense of humor at work in many of the songs, and although those familiar with Metallspürhunde will recognize the style, this is definitely a new band with its own sound.  The band recorded the tracks in their own studio, and I provided additional production, mixed and mastered the album at The Eye Socket.

Protokino is available on vinyl, CD and digital download through the usual retailers (including Amazon).  More info at the band’s website.

New (old) photos added

I’ve added a bunch of new photos to the site, including some recently discovered “lost” pics taken with my Lomo LC-A+ nearly ten years ago.  In an age of ubiquitous digital photography, these grainy film artifacts — from sessions at the Village and the Eye Socket with Jackson United and members of Face to Face — are a rare treat.

I’ve also added some (digital) photos from sessions at the BIRN studio in 2011 and 2012, and a few from some sessions back in California in 2009.

Have a look on the photos page.

Monica Richards – Naiades

My good friend, the extraordinary Monica Richards, has released her new album Naiades through Danse Macabre records. This remarkable project combines a twelve-track CD of Monica’s strongest work to date with a hardcover board book filled with artwork by a staggering array of pop and comic artists.

The album features collaborations with ex-Grey Matter member (and famous horror writer) Steve Niles (bass and guitars), Marzia Rangel (cello), Paul Mercer (violin), Steven James (guitar) and more. I co-produced, adding drums to a few songs, and mixed and mastered the album at The Eye Socket.

The accompanying book is a thing of wonder: Thirty-two pages of dazzling color artwork, nearly all of which was created specifically for this project, illustrating the lyrics, themes and emotions that run throughout the music. The artists include some of the biggest names in comic and pop art: Bernie Wrightson, James O’Barr, Bill Sienkiewicz, Kelley Jones, Chrissie Zullo, and many others.

Buy Naiades directly from Monica here or as an mp3 download here.

Monica Richards – “Pride”

My dear friend Monica Richards has released Pride, a new digital single from her upcoming album Naiades. The song features guitars and bass by renowned horror writer (and erstwhile DC punk) Steve Niles, who played on about half of the album. I co-produced and mixed it all at The Eye Socket, and added drums to a few songs (including Pride).

Naiades is a unique and very exciting project. The CD will include not only an album of Monica’s strongest music to date, but a beautifully packaged 32-page hardcover board book with original artwork from some of the most remarkable names in comic and pop art: Bernie Wrightson, James O’Barr, Bill Sienkiewicz, Kelley Jones, Chrissie Zullo, and many others! The album is set for release in January 2012 on Danse Macabre Records.

Pride is available now from Amazon and iTunes. Visit monicarichards.com for more information.