Sequencing and tape aside, much of the success of this band can be attributed to their creative use of synths, samplers and electronic percussion. Instead we're remixing our tapes so that we can play the fun stuff ourselves."
INFORMATION SOCIETY SOMETHING IN THE AIR PLUS
Plus we don't really have the money to do justice to our music - it would cost thousands of dollars just to buy modules alone.
INFORMATION SOCIETY SOMETHING IN THE AIR SOFTWARE
"We've heard a lot of horror stories about software crashing on stage, and we didn't want to deal with that. And because it's computer-based, my whole studio is down. "I spent about £1800 a couple of months ago on a computer and sequencer", announces Robb, "and the program turned out to be worthless. Initially the band debated whether to use tape or sequencers for backing tracks. Right now a more major tour is currently in preparation. In the UK, 'What's on Your Mind' (on London Records) has just entered the singles chart, and the album is due for release early this month. Their single has just hit the American Top 5 and their album, Information Society, has crossed into the Top 20 on the Black, Pop and Dance charts. Keyboard bassist James Cassidy invokes images of Popeye, while second keyboard player and vocalist Amanda Kramer charms the audience with make-up and costume. Valaquen is one of the more eccentric vocalists on the circuit, vehemently attacking the muted keys of a solitary Yamaha keyboard Robb maintains an aloof but beguiling presence as the crazed drummer. Seeing Information Society live - even with backing tapes - is even more engaging than listening to them on record.
A tape, or a sequencer for that matter, backs you up while you do your solos, but you don't have to be a slave to it."
That's really turning yourself into a sideboard. "I remember someone saying a few years ago that he'd rather play a machine than be a machine, like drummers or guitar players have to be when they do one constant part through the whole song. "And if you don't think there's a good reason for your show to constantly evolve, then I wouldn't bother. "The only convincing argument I can see for sequencing as opposed to tape is that with sequencing your show can constantly evolve", Valaquen adds. "Storing information on a magnetic disk is no more live than storing information on a magnetic tape. Instead of doing what Frank Sinatra does, which is to capture live performance on tape, we're trying to recreate our taped performance live. Let's face it - we're recording artists first and performance artists second, which is a turnaround from the way it used to be. The reason we don't get as upset about tape as most old rock 'n' roll people do is that we don't feel like hiring 20 back-up musicians to play all the parts. "We didn't lip sync, and all the drums are live. "But even in these shows, some of the sounds are live", says Robb defensively. And then you leave them alone, so the DJ can spin again. You do your one or two songs that the kids in the club know already. They want somebody to do one or two songs, which means they don't want to mess with the two-hour soundcheck, or building a stage, or calling in a sound system. "We started out on the American East Coast dance club circuit, and they didn't want live entertainment. We call it the Information Society Concert Illusion. "It's an idea that's catching on, believe it or not, called The Track Show. "I'll bet you were curious", laughs Valaquen. It took about two seconds before I realised it was all on tape.īand members Kurt Valaquen and Paul Robb seemed prepared for the looming question: Why? The familiar beat-box dance groove rose up, and the band made their dramatic first appearance.
"And now, direct from Minneapolis, is the band you're all waiting for - Information Society." The crowd push forward, jockeying for position along the stage and walkway.
Already hooked on their dance single, 'What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)', I was eager to get a closer look at the gear they needed to recreate the studio perfection of their sampling ingenuity. A 60-minute fashion show preceded the performance - a bit odd, but that's Hollywood. It made sense that the gig was at one of the larger and less predictable clubs in town, the Palace. INFORMATION SOCIETY'S Los Angeles debut came as a bit of a shock.
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