Uncovering Stranger Things!

Pleasantly surprised to get the news Videogram and the Test Subject 011 EP being mentioned in Kevin J. Wetmore Jr's book Uncovering Stranger Things: Essays on Eighties Nostalgia, Cynicism and Innocence in the Series!

This collection of 23 new essays explores how the show reduces, reuses and recycles '80s pop culture--from the films of Spielberg, Carpenter and Hughes to punk and synthwave music to Dungeons & Dragons--and how it shapes our understanding of the decade through distorted memory.

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing, the book is available via Amazon and Target, to mention just a few. Check it out!

California wildfire benefit

Make sure to check out Groupees' all-new California Wildfire Benefit Bundle that was launched today. With more than a dozen releases by a wide variety of artists and labels, plus Markosia Enterprises comics, this campaign is a benefit to California wildfire victims.

My contribution is a two-track single revisiting the 2016 Gladiatori dell'Apocalisse 12" EP, finalizing and remixing one outtake, with Acid Washed's own Andrew Claristidge providing a remix of The Ravagers. Both tracks are previously unreleased and exclusive to this benefit.

The bundle is available for a minimum of $1 with 100% of all sales being donated to the United Way's Southern California Disaster Relief Fund, who will support low-income households whose lives have been affected by the current wildfires in Southern California. Please donate here.

EDIT: The Damn Fine Network were kind enough to give both the single and the Groupees benefit campaign a shout-out on the latest episode of the Damn Fine Cast. You can stream it on SoundCloud (below), Stitcher, Libsyn, and iTunes. Check it out.

The Damn Fine Cast!

Many thanks to Tony Giles for including me and Jesse Breckon-Thomas' Michael in the 111th episode of the Damn Fine Cast!

The episode, which leans on the horror side of things, also includes tracks by maestro John Carpenter (taken from the recent 2018 Halloween), a taste from Colin Stetson's Hereditary score, and two tracks from the Blair Brothers' work for the Netflix horror/thriller Hold the Dark!

Italian composer Bruno Nicolai and the iconic Jerry Goldsmith wraps up the 53-minute episode with the former's Morricone-esque tunage for Westworld and the latter's work for the 1976 sci-fi classic Logan's Run - quite fine company indeed!

Streaming now on iTunes, Libsyn, and Stitcher, you can also check it out on DFN's official SoundCloud below:

Bundle of the Damned!

It is the spookiest of seasons so get your thrills on with Groupees' special Halloween-themed Bundle of the Damned! Launching today, the bundle includes game titles from Joystick Knights, Seven Sails, Igrodelsky, comics from Antarctic Press, and tracks culled from my Stranger Things-themed Test Subject 011 EP as well as the all-new Jesse Breckon-Thomas collaboration Michael!

For the next two weeks, the bundle is available here for a minimum of $3 - with some of the proceeds benefiting charities. Check it out!

VHS Lives 2 release date and pre-order!

Vestra Pictures just announced the street date and pre-orders for the VHS Lives 2: Undead Format DVD! Available on February 12th, 2019, you can pre-order the VHS-themed documentary via Amazon.com and MVD Entertainment.

Amazon orders comes with a pre-order price guarantee: Order now and if the price decreases between your order time and the release date, you'll receive the lowest price. Official IMDB page here.

Artefaktor Radio!

Many thanks to Artefaktor Radio for including me and Jesse Breckon-Thomas' all-new collaboration Michael on their Sneak Peek New Music Preview earlier this week! Airing on Mondays at 8 PM (CET), the show features tracks with Gary Numan, Gunship, and Rusty Egan, among others. You can stream it in full here. Get the teaser taste single track via Bandcamp, Deezer, Google Play, and iTunes. Video on YouTube here.

Michael

It's October 1st, Halloween's around the corner, and I couldn't be more excited to release a surprise teaser taste from my ongoing collaboration with Australian composer Jesse Breckon-Thomas!

The all-new track, titled Michael, is a musical nod to both John Carpenter's iconic title track opening the 1978 classic Halloween, as well as the original boogeyman Michael Myers himself. It's a hard-hitting instrumental that blends classic retro-sounding horror synths with more modern influences, delivering an explosive three-minute effort that's dark and uncompromising.

The collaboration, which began late summer of 2018, has me and Jesse revisiting and reworking demos I created back in 2015 for a U.S. documentary on John Carpenter that never got off the ground. The sessions are in progress and the expected release of the TBA-titled effort on SelectaVision is early 2019. Stay tuned!

Buy and stream Michael via Bandcamp here, and check out the Halloween opening titles-esque video on YouTube and Facebook.

Radio Virus!

How's your Swedish? Many thanks to Michael and Ronny at Radio Virus for including Marauder Pt.1 off my Choice Cuts CD in last night's show! Broadcasted weekly at Radio Eskilstuna 92.7, you can stream the show here (choose '2018' and '2018-09-17', scroll down and press play underneath "Lyssna på hela programmet") and download it here. Tusen tack!

Outpost 31 Isn't Responding (redux)!

September 24th sees the third release in the Videogram redux series: The Outpost 31 Isn't Responding digital EP/cassette! Originally released in the fall of 2015, the EP is my tribute to John Carpenter’s iconic 1982 sci-fi horror classic The Thing.

The 2018 ’redux’ version sees the original two-track single completely remixed and remastered, and expanded with two previously-unreleased session outtakes, one all-new freshly-penned track, plus my reimagining of Ennio Morricone’s Humanity Pt. 1 added as bonus tracks, making for one twenty-minute EP's worth of ice-cold horror synth!

The physical version comes on an six-track "cassingle" manufactured on snow white cassettes with full color A and B side stickers, and a wrap-around sleeve featuring Van Davis' gorgeous original artwork printed on premium recycled card stock. Available only via my official Bandcamp page! Digital via all streaming and download sites worldwide.

TRACKLIST:
01: Outpost 31 Isn't Responding
02: 27,000 Hours*
03: First Night of Winter*
04: Antarctica
05: Assimilation / Who Goes There?**
06: Humanity Pt. 1 (Mutated)***
* 2015 outtake
**all new track

***cassette and Bandcamp-only bonus track

VHS Lives 2: Undead Format!

Not that much info to share at the moment, but earlier this week Vestra Pictures producer Tony Newton posted the great-looking poster art for VHS Lives sequel VHS Lives 2: Undead Format online! To be released soon on DVD and VOD. Get updates via the official IMDB page here and their Facebook page here.

Speaking of which: I received my screener copy of VHS Lives in the mail not that long ago. Distributed by MVD Home Entertainment, the DVD is available via WWMD direct here, as well as major retailers such as CD Universe and Target. The digital VOD version is available via iTunes, Amazon and similar streaming sites. Check it out!

Texas Chain Saw Massacre Day!

”August 18, 1973…” For the fifth consecutive year in a row, starting in 2013 to coincide with the 40-year anniversary, it’s time to wish every horror fan a happy 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre Day'! The 'tragic events which befell a group of five youths' in Tobe Hooper's 1974 iconic horror classic took place on this day 45 years ago.

This year, open up your hearts and wallets for The Duge, Mr. John Dugan, Grandpa himself, who’s battling some health issues at the moment. You can donate to his family's Go Fund Me campaign directly here, or purchase Atomic Cotton’s limited-edition ”Go Get Grandpa” t-shirt, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to John and his family, here.

Groupees!

I couldn't be more thrilled to announce that Videogram's music has been made part of Groupees all-new horror and thriller-themed The Darkening Bundle!

The five-game bundle includes Akupara Games' Keep in Mind: Remastered, Frymore's Firewood, Sijawa Production's Kukui, Spytihněv’s LEGIE, WildArts' Helltown, and features Videogram tracks culled from both the Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018 compilation as well as the recent Acid Washed remix of Voorhees Stomp.

The bundle, launching today, can be purchased during Groupees' two-week campaign for a minimum of $3 - with some of the proceeds benefiting charities. More information here and via their official Facebook page here.

I'm quite honored having been asked to take part in this and want to thank both Groupees and the game developers for this opportunity!

EDIT: The two-week campaign is over with an impressive 1,244 bundles sold! I'd like to thank the gamers for the support and Akupara Games, Frymore, Sijawa Production, Spytihněv, WildArts and everyone at Groupees for the opportunity!

Modern Vinyl!

Head on over and read the Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018 track by track run through I just did with Modern Vinyl! The perfect companion to the just-released Videogram album, the article details my thoughts, influences, as well as additional behind-the-scenes info. Read it in full here.

Choice Cuts CD!

I'm excited to announce that the Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018 CDs have arrived at the Videogram/SelectaVision HQ and they both look and sound great!

The second installment in the Videogram redux series, the CD culls album, EP, and single tracks from Videogram's 20+ discography, as well as previously unreleased material such as my collaboration with Acid Washed's Andrew Claristidge and the scrapped Slasher EP - all remixed and remastered specifically for this album!

Fourteen tracks in total, this limited-edition red vinyl-effect CD comes in an oversized full-color outer sleeve with a printed record-style full color inner sleeve. Available via my merch page on Bandcamp. More details (and photos) here.

YouTube!

I'm thrilled to receive the news that Videogram is now a specific category/subject on YouTube! Check it out here, stream the Top Tracks playlist here and make sure to check out the videos on my official YouTube channel here. And don't forget to hit subscribe!

Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018!

I'm excited to announce that my Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018 compilation on SelectaVision, marking the four-year anniversary of the Videogram horror synth project, has just been released.

The second installment in the redux series, this fourteen-track collection culls album, EP, and single tracks from this project's 20+ discography, as well as previously unreleased material such as my collaboration with Acid Washed's Andrew Claristidge and the scrapped Slasher EP - all remixed and remastered specifically for this album!

The compilation is out now, available on both CD and as a special-priced digital download. Get it here.

Trash Mutant Interview!

After a six-month hiatus, Trash Mutant's back - and with an all-new Videogram interview to boot! The last time me and Señor Editor chatted was back in March, 2015 - read it here - so it was nice to catch up on things.

Covering my all-new compilation Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018, my work ethic, creativity and prolificacy, the mainstream's increased interest and appreciation of all things genre, the VHS Lives documentary, and the 2018 version of John Carpenter's Halloween, etc. etc. it was quite fun to do. Read it here.

Another Year Not Dead!

For a second taste off Videogram's Choice Cuts compilation, head on over to Brutal Resonance's official Bandcamp page and download their all-new compilation Another Year Not Dead!

The 24-track compilation features The Demogorgon, an initial taste from the Videogram and Andrew Claristidge collaboration sessions. The track marked a first and sees me and the Acid Washed member head into industrial territory, drawing influences from, among others, Front 242, Ministry and RevCo.

The fourteen-track Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018 compilation will be available on June 25. You can pre-order via Amazon, Bandcamp, Deezer, Google Play, and iTunes. You can download the Brutal Resonance compilation here.

Choice Cuts!

June 25 marks the four-year anniversary of Videogram, as the S/T album - rereleased last year as Videogram Redux - made its debut to coincide with Doc Terror's Italian Horror Week.

To celebrate this, SelectaVision is releasing the Choice Cuts 2014 - 2018 compilation on CD and digital! The fourteen-track album culls tracks from all official Videogram releases with additional bonus tracks - all remixed and remastered specifically for this release.

The album includes a taste from the Videogram and Andrew Claristidge sessions, a demo from the scrapped Slasher EP, outtakes, tracks from the Pre-Cert LP/CD, the Gladiatori dell'Apocalisse and Camp Blood EPs, as well as tracks from omitted releases such as the Cobretti three-track EP.

The release date is set to June 25, but pre-orders of both the digital release and CD are available on Bandcamp now.

VHS Lives: Out Now!

And it's finally here, the official release of VHS Lives: A Schlockumentary! An "awesome way to relive the 80's!" according to Starburst Magazine, it's already been dubbed a cult classic by some. I couldn't be more excited and wish all the best to Tony and everyone else at Vestra Pictures!

Available on both physical and digital media, you can get the DVD via WWMD here and the digital version via iTunes here and Amazon here. Support!

While on the subject, I'd like to announce that the Videogram tracks appearing in the documentary - the trailers features He's Still Out There and Voorhees Stomp off my Camp Blood EP - will be made available - remixed and remastered! - to coincide with the release. Out soon!

You can get updates on this and other Videogram and SelectaVision releases via this web page, my official Facebook page here, or by subscribing to my mailing list at eepurl.com/GX7G5 Thanks!

Let's Dance!

Check it out: French-Spanish shock duo LuLúxpo were kind enough to include Voorhees Stomp (Acid Washed Remix) on Radio Meuh's Let's Dance, the LuLúxpo Radio Show on April 27 and again on May 1st (re-aired twice on C’Rock Radio Station 89.5 FM). You can stream it on Radio Meuh's official website here, or LuLúxpo's official SoundCloud page here.

Vinyl of the Month!

Extremely excited to receive the news that Performer Magazine picked my Test Subject 011 7" on SelectaVision as their Vinyl of the Month!

Reviewing the single, they sum it up as "an open love letter to not just Stranger Things, but everything in the 80's VHS Horror world", with the A-side sounding as "a long-lost Italian disco version of a vintage John Carpenter soundtrack," and the B-side as "if Fabio Frizzi had scored The Neverending Story"!

For fans of old school slashers and those who miss browsing the aisles of Blockbuster for the latest horror releases on VHS, this contemporary re-imagining of a lovable niche genre is just the ticket to bring you back to those glory days.

Again, this is very exciting news. Many thanks to Ben and the rest of the staff for this honor. Read the review in full here.

Radio Renate

Check it out: Acid Washed recently played a show at Salon - Zur wilden Renate in Berlin, and, to promote this, Andrew did an in-studio interview with Radio Renate while sharing some recent work on-air, including their remix of Voorhees Stomp. The show is available on SoundCloud, you can stream it below.

Speaking of which: Videogram's Voorhees Stomp (Acid Washed Remix) is now available to purchase via Amazon, Deezer, Google Play, as well as iTunes. Check it out.

VHS Lives: Pre-orders available now!

An update on the VHS Lives documentary: Mid-March I received word that the UK-produced documentary had secured distribution on DVD via WWMD, and this past weekend the DVD was announced being available to pre-order! You can order your copy via WWMD direct here, Forbidden Planet here and iTunes here.

The documentary, featuring myself and Videogram's music, as well as Jörg Buttgereit, Troma's own Lloyd Kaufman, and Josh from Lunchmeat VHS Fanzine, and others, goes deep into the psyche of VHS collectors, SOV filmmakers, and VHS-inspired musicians/producers, and shows why the old VHS tapes you have rotting away in your loft are becoming antique collectors pieces!

Awesome way to relive the 80's!
- Starburst Magazine

More information via Vestra Pictures on Facebook here, you'll find the documentary Facebook page here, and on IMDB, complete with a full listing of the cast and crew, here. The trailer (featuring He's Still Out There that appears on the digital version of my Camp Blood EP):

Voorhees Stomp (Acid Washed Remix)!

Artwork by Jesse Philips.

Just in time for Friday the 13th, French electronic duo Acid Washed sink their teeth into Voorhees Stomp, the tongue-in-cheek tribute to Crystal Lake's favorite mama's boy!

The Record Makers' artists - whose previous remix collaborations include Moby, Wolfmother, and Jimmy Somerville - updates the fun, retro-tinged 2015 original and delivers a hard-edged, stomping crossover dance remix with powerful rhythm, booming effects, and ominous, eerie synths.

The track comes with outstanding Jason X-themed artwork by U.S. poster artist Jesse Philips, whose impressive portfolio includes a wide variety of artists such as The Pixies, Radiohead, Napalm Death, and Beck, to mention just a few.

Available as a digital-only track via my official Bandcamp page, with iTunes, Google Play etc. following on Friday the 13th. Get it here.

Heavy Metal Horror Cast!

Hail to the Chin, baby! Grab your chainsaw, fire up the Oldsmobile and check out the latest episode of Heavy Metal Horror Cast, as they revisit personal fave Evil Dead 2, and play some choice cuts off my Test Subject 011 EP on SelectaVision.

Slapstick, surreal and truly superb, Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2 is a welcome revisit to the cabin that started it all. Through mastery and mayhem, it has gone on to become one of the most well loved and revered sequels of all time, establishing an icon in both Bruce Campbell and his character Ash.

Sue heads back to Professor Knowby's pad, chatting comedy capers, sweaty siblings and an ingenious plot which helped to ensure the films release. We'll also be checking out the fantastic track Test Subject 11, from the synth-tastic Videogram.

You can check out the episode via their official website here, but also on Acast, iHeartRADIO, iTunes, PodBean, and TuneIn, to mention a few. Groovy!

EDIT: The episode has been uploaded and can be streamed via SoundCloud:

Cinepunx interview!

Check out the all-new interview I did with Cinepunx! The first installment of their four-part Cinematic Synths series, focusing on the wave of musical artists influenced by genre soundtracks, the interview covers influences, Test Subject 011, imaginary soundtracks and more. Read it in full here.

VHS Lives!

I just received word that the UK-produced documentary VHS Lives has secured distribution and will be released this year. Not much more to share at the moment, but physical format will be available this coming spring.

The documentary, featuring myself and Videogram's music, Jörg Buttgereit, Troma's own Lloyd Kaufman, and Josh from Lunchmeat VHS Fanzine, to mention just a few, goes deep into the psyche of VHS collectors, SOV filmmakers, VHS-inspired musicians/producers such as myself, and shows why the old VHS tapes you have rotting away in your loft are becoming antique collectors pieces!

For more information you can give Vestra Pictures a Facebook like here, give the documentary a like here, and you'll find it on IMDB, complete with a full listing of the cast, here.

Rue Morgue Magazine!

Many thanks to Rue Morgue Magazine's Aaron von Lupton for the Instagram shout-out. Review of Test Subject 011 in issue #181, on stands March 1! More info here and you can order your copy here.

Performer Magazine!

Pretty excited to see U.S. musician's resource Performer Magazine giving Videogram's Test Subject 011 7" a shout-out on both Facebook and Instagram today! Review coming in the next issue. More info here.

Two Headed Dog!

I'm excited to announce that you can order my Test Subject 011 7" on SelectaVision via Two Headed Dog in the U.S.! The two-track 7" - with a bonus intro - features the title track that recently appeared on Rue Morgue's They Came From Rue Morgue horror synth compilation, and an Italo Disco-influenced B side - both drawing inspiration from Netflix' Stranger Things series!

Two Headed Dog are dedicated to providing the very best in classic and contemporary experimental music and rare soundtrack releases committed to vinyl, compact disc and cassette. They specialize in titles that can't be found on most websites or in your local retailer, and aim to provide fair prices, prompt and courteous email replies to inquiries and a fine selection of goods to be bought and sold. Order your copy here.

"Test Subject 011" 7" available via Bandcamp!

New week and I'm excited to announce that my Stranger Things-themed Test Subject 011 7" on SelectaVision is now available via Bandcamp! 

You heard the title track on SomaFM, Krypton Radio and Rue Morgue's They Came From Rue Morgue digital compilation! "Tight 'n' tense", "laced with a retro Moroderesque back beat", "groovy and damn good!" (Cinema Retro), the 7" "totally embodies the otherworldly sci-fi eeriness of the show and characters, both in sounds and in it’s artwork" (Popcorn Horror), and offers an "upbeat sensation that has that synthesizer sound from the old school highlight days" (Yeah, I Know It Sucks).

The two-track 7" single (with bonus intro) is pressed on black vinyl at 45 rpm for maximum audio punch, housed in a white inner sleeve, and wrapped in a two-color sleeve printed with gloss finish to enhance the artwork.

Purchasing the 7" includes a bonus download of the four-track digital EP! Order yours (€10/$12.40, plus ship) here!

Psilowave!

Just received confirmation and am excited to announce that, if you're in the UK, you can now order my Test Subject 011 7" on SelectaVision via Psilowave! The two-track 7" features the title track that recently appeared on Rue Morgue's They Came From Rue Morgue horror synth compilation, and an Italo Disco-influenced B side - both drawing inspiration from Netflix' Stranger Things series!

Psilowave are Old Skool specialists in Soundtracks and Film Scores (especially Horror and Sci-Fi), Electro, Ambient, Electronica, and all things psychedelic. Hard copy enthusiasts dealing in luxury pressings, rarities and limited editions, they trade in both new and used product, with every title in stock carefully curated to fit within the culture and the ethos of the label. Order your copy here.