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Electronic Saviors (Industrial Music Showcase / Cancer Benefit) Set For Live Wire Lounge
Over ten years ago the event organizers of Electronic Saviors started a monthly showcase that focused on Electro, Industrial, Gothic, New Wave, Metal and Trip-Hop bands both local and nationwide. They no longer do monthly events as they were, but are now bringing you the best dark electronic live events both large and small to the city of Chicago through annual traveling shows.
Below are the details to the upcoming event in Chicago at Live Wire Lounge.
WTII Record’s Dave’s Upcoming Showcases
Live Wire Lounge
Live Wire Lounge is located at
3394 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL
(between Kedvale Ave & Roscoe St)
https://www.facebook.com/
Friday July 8th, 2016..
MINDLESS FAITH
EGO LIKENESS
INTERFACE
W.O.R.M
HARDCORE PONG (Gothsicles vs Angelspit)
DARK CLAN
BOXED WARNING
more tba???
Ticket prices are $15 at the door
(sorry for the higher than usual price but we will be donating proceeds to a cause which we will announce soon)
21+ doors at 5:30pm and 1st band 6:00
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Cancer has ruined the lives of countless people around the world. Rarely in the international goth-industrial scene does one hear about it. On May 1st, 2008, Jim Semonik, longtime promoter, DJ, and frontman for electro-industrial band Rein, was diagnosed with stage 2B colorectal cancer. During a rigorous campaign of chemotherapy and radiation, Semonik’s passion for this music did not waver. On June 28th, 2008, 16 Volt’s Denial Highway Tour came through Pittsburgh courtesy of Jim. It was at this event that Semonik formulated the idea for a compilation that would not only be gargantuan in scale, but in quality as well. Jim asked 16 Volt frontman, Eric Powell, to be a part of it. Eric didn’t hesitate and thus Electronic Saviors was born.
When a person is stricken with a disease like cancer, it is important for the individual to not only focus on beating the disease, but have a goal for how to do it. Electronic Saviors is Jim’s way of not only giving back to the medical community that saved his life, but the goth-industrial community that he has so warmly embraced for the better half of his life. It is Jim’s way of crushing cancer once and for all.
In fall/winter of 2008, Semonik lost a portion of his digestive system and had to undergo a grueling program of post op chemotherapy. Jim almost lost his life due to a pancreatic infection from the chemo. This made the compilation of utmost importance. After recovering he began contacting bands throughout the scene that he had worked with and shared a great relationship with. It was not long before bands like Suicide Commando, Assemblage 23, Chemlab, Caustic, and his own band Rein would begin to work on all exclusive tracks and mixes for what would become one of the biggest compilations the scene has ever seen.
A grand total of 83 artists came together for this project, and it is with this that Jim wants to donate proceeds to the Center For Cancer Research and Wellness in Harrisburg, PA.
Saviors is a monumental 4 cd boxset, packaged nicely in DVD digipack format, featuring stunning artwork by Jeff Confer and a 12 page booklet including an essay from Jim and a drop card for a downloadable 5th cd. The content of the compilation covers the widest range of emotions that a cancer patient goes through. It ranges from melancholy moving songs (ThouShaltNot, Bow Ever Down, Encoder) to songs about the medical industry (SMP, Boole) to angry songs of loss (Suicide Commando, Rein, Acumen Nation) to pure anger and raging dance tracks (Nachtmahr, The Dark Clan, TERRORFAKT, Vicious Alliance), downtempo, ambient and tranquil pieces (Burikusu!!!, The Atomica Project), comedic (The Gothsicles, Caustic) and songs of hope (Interface, SD6 and Assemblage 23).
The success of the Electronic Saviors Project far exceeded everyone’s expectations by having completely selling out of all copies of Volume 1, it saw well attended and packed live ES benefit shows/ release parties and raised over $20,000 for the foundation of Cancer Research and Wellness. Well we all know that Cancer returning is any survivor’s nightmare so Metropolis Records, in association with Distortion Productions presented Electronic Saviors Vol 2:Recurrence. This is a 6 or 8 disc (whichever you ordered) box set of exclusive tracks by some of the biggest names in the industrial genre to raise money for cancer research. Cancer survivor and long time promoter and DJ, Jim Semonik, assembled 142 artists from around the world.
This compilation contained 105 (standard edition) and 142 (premium edition) tracks in total, including new exclusive tracks and mixes by 16 Volt, Project Pitchfork, Covenant, Blutengel, Suicide Commando, System Syn, God Module, Cesium 137, The Dark Clan, Rein[Forced], Mesh and many more. Packaged in a DVD style digipak containing the 6 physical CDs as well as a bonus 2 cd digipack with sticker, wristband and 70 page BRICKS survivors stories booklet. Proceeds from this Boxset were donated to the Gilda’s Club/Cancer Support Community (https://www.gildasclub.org/) and The Bone Marrow Foundation (https://www.bonemarrow.org/) where Jim Semonik and the Electronic Saviors project raised over $10,000 for those foundations
We look back on 2014 and ES3: Remission….. “You are cured!” These words are a dream come true to any cancer patient. Scene promoter, DJ and frontman of electro-industrial act Rein[Forced], Jim Semonik, returned to give the vile disease of cancer another pummeling with a ton of his friends, comrades, heroes and allies in Electronic Saviors 3:Remission. Jim, creator of the series, recently celebrated 5 years cancer free and is eager to share his gift with the world. Semonik once again returns with an armada of talent to shake dance floors and crush eardrums. It featured brand new and exclusive tracks from Combichrist, 16 Volt, Hate Dept, Stromkern, Rein[Forced], Panic Lift, Ego Likeness, Left Spine Down, Aesthetic Perfection and many, many more make Electronic Saviors 3 an essential purchase. Limited to 1000 copies, this volume is expected to sell out quickly and become a collector’s item. Jim once again dedicates this volume to anyone who has been a victim of cancer in any way, shape or form.
2016 and Electronic Saviors IV: Retaliation!!! The newest, biggest and best volume of Electronic Saviors yet is about to be unleashed. Creator and cancer survivor, Jim Semonik has taken his series of industrial music compilations to the next level. He has assembled an amazing roster of international artists to come together to smash the face of cancer. Joining Jim this time are new and exclusive tracks and mixes from KMFDM, Seabound, Solitary Experiments, Leather Strip, En Esch, Dope Stars Inc, Panic Lift, Suicide Commando, Interface, I:Scintilla and many more. Proceeds to be donated to Our Clubhouse!
The Premium Edition is once again available as a 2 disc add on with over 30 more tracks of awesomeness. Also included will be a bumper sticker, purple wristband, autographed postcard and an Our Clubhouse pamphlet. With eye catching, breathtaking artwork from the art team of Jeff Confer and Samantha Johnson, this is a music have for all industrial music fans. Don’t forget about the additional digital album available on bandcamp for pay what you want with over 20+ additional artists that just couldn’t fit onto the physical editions!
It’s time to rally! It’s time to fight back against cancer! IT’S TIME FOR RETALIATION!
Join us for this special event that boasts artists from the compilation (as well as a guests from editions) as they all come together to help raise awareness on the subject and also to celebrate the strength and resolve that cancer survivors show. All proceeds from this unique live event will go directly to a special cause which we will be announcing soon. The first Electronic Saviors Benefit show that we put together in 2010 had a near capacity turnout and the second edition of the Chicago release party saw outstanding performances from Ego Likeness, The Gothsicles and Cryogen Second. Yes the night does start pretty early and we do apologize for that but we want to give as many bands as possible the opportunity to pay their respect to the project so please come out early and support a great cause with amazing bands
MINDLESS FAITH:
In these times of global turmoil, it seems we have finally reached the breaking point. All across our planet, people are fi…nally rising up…the time has come, no more justifying, Just Defy! Standing against the mindless status quo of Washington and Wall Street, brothers Chris (Exeris) and Jason Sevanick form the backbone of Mindless Faith, along with MindCage, Paul Green and other collaborators.
On their 5th album, “Just Defy”, Mindless Faith continue to deliver a lethal dose of aggressive industrial anthems, ferocious, commanding vocals over crushing beats, awash with distorted synths and laced with overwhelming guitar riffs. Revolting against today’s all-too-common generic electronic sound, the band breaks new ground by including nightmarish psychedelics, outlandish ambient passages and brooding acoustic elements that showcase the member’s diverse musical ability and adds to their genre-defying style.
Mindless Faith’s accomplishments include:
– Four full length studio albums (on AlterCulture, Metropolis, and Depdendent Records)
– Appearances on 29 compilations (on various labels in US and Europe)
– Remixed 15 acts, including Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiction, and Front Line Assembly
– Several tracks featured on MTV’s reality shows “Road Rules”and “The Real World”
– Song “Singular” featured in the X-box 360 video game “Project Gotham Racing 3”
– Years touring the US, later Europe, including opening for Skinny Puppy in Holland
Mindless Faith will release their 5th full length album “Just Defy,” Jan 1st, 2012 on AlterCulture Records. Lyrically, it continues the ideological struggle against the corruption of institutions and individuals. Stylistically, the new offering retains Mindless Faith’s signature diversity, with a wide variety of different sounds, styles and moods. “Just Defy” will be available as a hard copy CD and various digital formats (via alterulture.bandcamp.com) at the band’s online store (alterculture.com). CD’s will be distributed by DSBP and Storming the Base. Digitally it will be available at amazon, iTunes, vampirefreaks, and other online retailers.
EGO LIKENESS:
Current line up LIVE:
Steven Archer – Guitar / Programming / Music & Words / Vocals…
Donna Lynch – Lead Vocals / Piano / Synths / Words & Music
Mike K. Johnson – Drums
Mindcage Rick (Mindless Faith, Chemlab) – Drums
Studio Members:
Dan Clark (The Dark Clan)- Production/ Co-writer
Ego Likeness was created in 1999 by artist Steven Archer, a DC native, and writer Donna Lynch in Baltimore, Maryland. Taking their name from Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel ‘Dune’, the band began as an experimental/ dark trip hop project. A demo called ‘Songs From a Dead City’, recorded on a four track, was released in 1999.
By 2000, Archer and Lynch were moving the project in a darker electronic/ dance direction, resulting in a self-released full-length album entitled ‘Dragonfly’.
Ego Likeness signed with Dancing Ferret Discs for the release of 2004’s ‘Water to the Dead’. This album featured the band’s electronic roots while exploring a heavier rock sound.
2005 saw the band tour Germany, Luxembourg, and the continental US with label mates The Cruxshadows, and their first album ‘Dragonfly’ was re-released on Dancing Ferret Discs.
In 2006, EL toured Germany once again with The Cruxshadows, performed at Dragon*Con in Atlanta GA, and released their third full-length CD ‘The Order of the Reptile’ (DFD), as well as their first video for the track ‘Aviary’ (directed by Lynch, Archer, and late Baltimore photographer Lauren E. Simonutti).
The winter of 2006-2007 saw another US tour with The Cruxshadows and Ayria.
In late autumn of 2007, EL was back in Germany, as well as Poland, and the UK with Alfa-Matrix act Ayria (Canada) and Australia’s Angelspit (DFD). The band also released the first of four limited edition EP’s entitled ‘South’.
In early 2008, they headlined a warm-up tour of the US and performed at Black Sun IV before setting off with Voltaire in the spring for his month-long Maiden Voyage Tour. EL performed once again at Dragon*Con 2008 in Atlanta GA.
In 2009, the single ‘The Lowest Place on Earth’ was released, as well as the ‘West’ EP.
Their fourth full-length album, ‘Breedless’, was released on Metropolis Records <www.metropolis-records.com> in 2010, as well as the ‘North’ EP.
The band continued touring throughout the US in 2010 and 2011, performing a third time at Dragon*Con 2010.
2012 saw the release of the final compass EP, ‘East’, and a second re-release of the now-out-of-print album ‘Dragonfly’. A new single and video (directed by Kyle Cassidy <www.kylecassidy.com>, Lynch, and Archer), ‘Treacherous Thing’, will be released in the fall.
The fifth full-length, ‘Know Thine Enemy’ is scheduled for release in 2014.
In addition to touring extensively with The Cruxshadows, Voltaire, Ayria, Angelspit, The Ludovico Technique, EL has had the honor of sharing the stage with The Damned, Peter Murphy, Chris Connelly, Collide, Razed in Black, Bella Morte, Das Ich, Rasputina, Iris, Decoded Feedback, The Azoic, More Machine Than Man, In Strict Confidence, Combichrist, Stromkern, New Model Army, And One, Seabound, Attrition, Assemblage 23, Nitzer Ebb, Aesthetic Perfection, Terrorfakt, The Gothsicles, Thrill Kill Kult, and many others.
EL has performed at festivals throughout the US and in Europe, including Dragon*Con (Atlanta GA), Convergence 11 (San Diego CA), Dracula’s Ball (Philadelphia PA), Ring Con (Fulda, Germany), Balticon (Baltimore MD), Black Sun Festival I (New Haven CT), Freaks United (DC), Eccentrik Festival (Raleigh NC), Reverence (Madison WI), Wicked Faire (Somerset NJ), WTII Mini-Fest (Chicago IL), several Electronic Saviors Benefit shows, and others.
They have appeared on numerous compilation CDs, including Electronic Saviors 1 and 2, several Asleep by Dawn and Hot Topic releases, and ‘Where’s Neil When You Need Him?’ (a tribute to the work of author Neil Gaiman, DFD 2006); released remixes for The Cruxshadows (Cassandra-Fortress in Flames), The Last Dance (Terribly When- Reflections of Rage), Thou Shalt Not (Inside of You, In Spite of You- The Projectionist), Black Tape for a Blue Girl (Tarnished- Scarecrow), Information Society (This Way Tonight- Synthesizer), Angelspit (Vena Cava- Krankhaus, Girl Poison- Black Kingdom Red Kingdom , Ditch the Rest- Carbon Beauty), and many more, and have been remixed by acts such as Komor Kommando, Bella Morte, Angelspit, Terrorfakt, and many others.
Archer and Lynch appear on Voltaire’s album ‘Then and Again’, and Lynch has lent her vocals to tracks on The Dark Clan’s ‘Dance Magic Dance’, Angelspit’s ‘Hideous and Perfect’, and Aiboforcen’s ‘Dedale’.
EL has been featured in publications such as Gothic Beauty, Outburn, ABD, Sideline, Pollstar, Sonic Seducer, and COMA to name a few.
The band works extensively with renowned Philadelphia photographer Kyle Cassidy < www.kylecassidy.com>, one of his photographs of Archer and Lynch appearing as “Photo of the Day” on Wikipedia’s main page in 2012.
Archer and Lynch have been married since October of 1999 and currently live in Mayland with two hairless cats.
Steven is the creator of the atmospheric electronica project Hopeful Machines, and occasionally performs with Terrorfakt (NYC). He is also a resident DJ at Spellbound in DC.
Archer and Lynch make up the experimental/ spoken word outfit The Trinity Project and have released two albums under that name-‘ The Trinity Project I’ (2001) and ‘The Subtle Movements of the Entropy Engine’ (2003), which are available for download on the MUSIC page of this site.
Steven, a graduate of The Corcoran School of Art, continues to exhibit paintings, sculpture, and mixed media pieces in various galleries, stores, conventions, and venues throughout the US, and online through the band’s website, Facebook, and his Etsy store. He has been a regular contributor to Weird Tales Magazine and Steampunk Magazine. He is the author and illustrator of one children’s book, ‘Luna Maris’ (Imaginary Books, 2008), and the graphic novel ‘Red King Black Rook’. He was invited to The Goddard School at NASA in 2012 to read ‘Luna Maris’ to a group of young students, and has plans for a second children’s book in the near future.
In addition to numerous poems and short stories, Donna has done various spoken word performances, and released two collections of poetry: ‘In My Mouth’ (2000) and ‘Ladies & Other Vicious Creatures’ (Raw Dog Screaming Press, 2007). Her first novel ‘Isabel Burning’ debuted in 2008 through Raw Dog Screaming Press and a prequel ‘Red Horses’ was released in the summer of 2013. A novella, ‘Driving Through the Desert’ was released on Thunderstorm Books in 2012, and the German Edition of ‘Isabel Burning’ will be released by Voodoo Press throughout Europe in 2014. She has also collaborated with Steven on several art projects, including a handmade, limited edition illustrated book called ‘Twenty-Six (An Uncommon Book of ABCs)’ and a series of Key and Lock paintings, which will likely be released as a complete collection in book form in the future, and ‘Daughters of Lilith’ (RDSP, 2010). She is a recurring guest reader at Pseudopod.org, and is an active member in the Horror Writer’s Association
INTERFACE:
Interface has been producing its own brand of electronic music since 1993, making it one of New York’s longest-lived electronic music acts. Founded and led by programmer/keyboardist and lead vocalist Eric Eldredge, Interface combines the sonic edge of industrial, the club energy of trance, and a melodic sensibility for a unique experience. Each of the band’s multiple studio albums has been met with critical acclaim and widespread play across clubs and various types of radio stations. In addition, Eric is prolific in the remix market using the Interface name, lending a hand to numerous top artists. The band’s current lineup is rounded out by Jon Billian (keyboards/guitar) and Justin Parker (touring drummer).
After four total EP cassettes, Eric’s stint with the coldwave band Valve, and several lineup shifts throughout the remainder of the decade, Interface’s debut CD The Artemis Complex was completed in January 1999. A combination of new songs alongside definitive recordings of earlier material, it immediately won over critics and landed a distribution deal with Tinman Records. A sampling of industrial/EBM aesthetics of the time, it offered fan favorites such as “Metalstorm”, “The Softest Blade”, and “Frantic”. The band then formed into its longest-running lineup of Eric, his brother Evan Eldredge (guitar/keyboards), and Billian, making its name on the Internet (most notably the mp3.com website) and through an intense live show schedule.
After upgrading the band’s studio, Interface released its breakthrough album Angels in Disguise on Tinman in July 2002. The album’s songwriting and production won more acclaim from critics in various publications, with songs like “Wasted Time”, “Temperature”, “Ability”, and the title track becoming widely played. Following its release, the band began to once again play heavily to support the album (Jon and Evan became official members of the band in 2003). Tinman also helped assemble the Wasted Time and Disguised as Angels EP’s to further the band’s presence. However, the label underwent financial difficulties before either EP was released. The band would later post both as free downloads for a limited time in 2004.
Tinman closed its doors in 2005 just as Interface announced on the website that a new album was well underway. After a year of searching and negotiating with various labels, Interface eventually inked a deal with Nilaihah Records, a label based in Columbus, Ohio and owned by members of The Azoic. The next album Beyond Humanity came in March 2006 to another round of positive reviews and play in both clubs and radio playlists on the strengths of songs like “Age of Computers”, “Faith in Nothing”, and “Nobody’s Hero”. The disc was released as the “Expanded Edition” with a host of bonus remixes attached. Once again the band took to the road to support it, this time reaching more cities than ever before. However the band’s touring schedule led Evan to leave the band that year to pursue other interests. Shortly afterward, the “Escape” EP came out as part of the “Fourplay Vol. 1” compilation.
Nilaihah has also acquired Tinman’s remaining inventory of Angels in Disguise, assuming control of the album’s distribution, in 2006. In 2007 the label then re-mastered the now out-of-print The Artemis Complex for a digital re-release through its download outlets complete with several new mixes of “Metalstorm”.
After spending 2007 working on remixes and compilation appearances (including a highly popular remake of “Land of Confusion” by Genesis for the Machines Against Hunger 2 disc set) as well as more tour dates and festival appearances (with the now-current lineup), Interface returns in 2008 with Visions of Modern Life. Preceded by a remix EP of the album’s standout track, “Destination”, Interface returns to the electro forefront with another well-received chapter in its decade-plus career.
W.O.R.M (THE WORLD ORGANIZATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS MOVEMENT):
Chicago’s W.O.R.M (The World Organization of the Righteous Movement) of the have spent the last 16 years providing a relentless, chaotic attack on the senses. W.O.R.M are a faceless organization schooled in the industrial/rock streets of Chicago, while extrapolating elements from other genres to break ground into new worlds, The sextet has taken its cold wave signature sound and infused elements metal, trip-hop, synthpop, techno and indie electro. The band’s latest album, 2014’s “The Singularity” is an excellent representation of these styles and influences. It featured ten new studio recordings that range from catchy club stompers to metal dirges to electro-rock. Many critics claim they are the perfect combination of Ministry/Chemlab/ and My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult.
The band is led by the powerful Mike Reidy, whose lyrics and incredible stage presence have resonated with fans and have quickly led to a ravenous and dedicated fan base, especially corresponding with w.o.r.m’s rise in the past few years. Reidy cut his teeth and cemented his connection to the Chicago Industrial scene by interning at Martin Atkins infamous Invisible records, touring with My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult and performing in Chicago’s Project .44 alongside several members of W.O.R.M’s current roster. After going through multiple line up changes Mike and W.O.R.M have finally solidified their lineup and settled on a core group made up of several Chicago scene veterans. Rounding out the lineup are Karen Righeimer (Acidrodent/Fashion Bomb/Team Cybergeist/Sheriff Scabs/Now I’m Nothing) on bass, Myke Shuberg (NOW) on guitars, Ken Pillar (Apocalypse Theater/White Shadow/NOW) on drums, Eric McWhorter (Modiviccan/NOW/Project .44) on guitar, and Torianna Nichole Bodie on backing vocals. Over the past year this new dynamic lineup has established a solid reputation as a live act with their high energy shows and they only show signs of getting stronger with each performance.
W.O.R.M’s back catalog contains releases and/or several of their songs which have put out by Ain records, and also Invisible records/Underground Inc. including tracks on the latter’s renowned “Notes from thee real underground” series. W.O.R.M have also contributed the track “Warning” to the Digital Recovery series which was placed on a comp with the likes of industrial household names such as The Clay People, Chemlab, 3Teeth, Author& Punisher, amongst many others. In 2016 W.O.R.M also were confirmed to be part of the internationally renowned “Electronic Saviors IV” compilation which is compiled by Rein[forced]/Distrortion productions, Jim Semonik to help support cancer research and support. Work has been started on their latest untitled album which will see it’s release on a new label in summer of 2016. You can expect top notch production and several special guests. Shows leading up to and surrounding this release are being booked now.
W.O.R.M does not discriminate by race color or creed. One World One People. The World Organization of the Righteous Movement
HARDCORE PONG:
Angelspit and The Gothsicles team up to bring you HARDCORE PONG – a ten track album… with four remixes and an emphasis on psychotic, fun club tracks with crazed lyrics about 80s movies and Atari 2600 video games.
PLAY AGAIN? Hit Continue with “RE:MATCH”!
Bonus remix content from ANTONYM, CONTRICKER, CELL ZERO, DIRTYBASSCORE, SPERMBLASTER and PSYENCE FICTION!
THE DARK CLAN:
Dan: guitars/synths/
Lane: synths/vocals
Mercy: synths/vocals
The Dark Clan started way back in 1998 after Dan graduated from the UW School of Music in Madison WI with a degree in music composition and wanted to learn how to make that cool “electronica” all the kids were talking about. You know, hip underground bands like “The Prodigy”. Yeah.
Dan never did learn how to write beats like Liam Howlett, but he has, since his extremely humble beginnings, learned a fair bit more about recording, engineering, mixing, mastering, and production, and has covered a great deal of ground genre-wise and toured with many different live incarnations of the band. Currently The Dark Clan is based out of Milwaukee, WI and has settled on the lineup above, which is the permanent core of the group. Lane and Mercy both contribute to songwriting, play synths, do lead and backing vocals, and keep the ship on course. It’s best this way.
BOXED WARNING:
The home of boxed warning the experimental electronic audio visual project by Chase Dudley who is also co-producer of the ES series
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