Spawned in Germany during 1984, KMFDM pioneered the crossover between techno/dance and heavy metal with their signature industrial sound. Moving to Chicago in the mid-80’s KMFDM was the pride of WaxTrax! Records during the label’s peak. Rapidly evolving year by year through intense experimentation and touring; the band has redefined themselves with each new release.
Venturing on to dabble in side projects and then re-establish KMFDM in Seattle and later Hamburg, Sascha’s revolving band of misfits have stood the test of time. KMFDM is currently helmed by the dual vocal attack of the band’s founder / leader, Sascha and the siren-voiced Lucia. To quote themselves, “The future belongs to those of us still willing to get our hands dirty”. Living by their D.I.Y. philosophy, KMFDM launched their own online store, KMFDM Store (www.kmfdmstore.com) and record label, KMFDM Records.
Through relentless musical exploration and reinvention they have continued to top themselves. The band’s 2011 release, WTF?! and its companion single Krank, was no exception. This summer will find the band playing shows across North America and a mix of festival dates and headlining gigs in Europe in the Fall.
In addition to their new material KMFDM has re-released their entire back catalog from the band’s WaxTrax! Records era as KMFDM Classics via Metropolis Records/KMFDM Records. To accompany the KMFDM Classics, KMFDM has released two compilations of their best known songs, the Wurst / Shit collection, and Extra, a three volume set of double disc collections of all KMFDM tracks not included on the ten KMFDM Classic albums. The classic KMFDM side project Excessive Force has also had their entire catalog re-released.
As can plainly be seen, the self-proclaimed fathers of industrial-rock show no signs of stopping.
CHANT
CHANT, the tribal-infused apocalyptic drum project of Bradley Bills from Austin, TX, has spent the last 8 years solidifying its mark in the Industrial Rock world with a constant tour schedule, supporting Lords of Acid, Angelspit, & My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, as well as performing iconic shows with Pigface, KMFDM, Combichrist, Psychic TV, The Genitorturers, & Black Light Burns.
Drawing fans from cross genres – rivet & metal heads, goths, punks, rockers… CHANT’s music and lyrics channel an internal rage and outburst of raw emotion, with dark synths and hook-laden phrases a la NIN and Depeche Mode – while their live shows kick it up to an entirely new level of primal chest pounding drumming, slammed into a chaotic presentation of mayhem and rock and roll. Bradley’s unique, custom drum set ups are a nod to experimental innovators Einstuerzende Neubauten – with metal cans, buckets, and satellite dishes featured in the arsenal!
Since inception, Bradley has worked with members of The Butthole Surfers, Skrew, Skatnigs, Pigface, and The Razorblade Dolls to record and co-produce CHANT’s two independently released albums: That Which Divides (2007) and Strong Words For Strong People (2010), and worked with visual artist VJ Greekfire to produce music video releases for his tracks ‘Revolt’ and ‘Need’ – squeezing in time to contribute to Pigface album “6? and to act as a featured guest lecturer for The Austin Music Foundation on independent artist booking, marketing, and touring strategies (2009/2011).