pasting here just for posterity:
(1)
Inflatable Mystery Parade
We are the Inflatable Mystery Parade.
Go to
www.inflatablemysteryparade.tkWhy this name?
For a joke.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
The internet is a good way to enthuse people about music.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Yes.
Band History:
Some argue that it all started way back in 2004, when buddies Alex Cook and Alex de Ville decided to record an album for leaving maths teacher Shukra. This rushed album as entitiled, "Shukra: A Tribute" and despite being recorded in 3 hours, had memorable moments such as, "The Black Forest", "Test Yourself", "Shukra's Love Train", and "The Middle of the Album Song". Even though the album was badly produced, recorded and written it had an impact on both Alexes, and its improvisational, wacky ideals have been influential to any material since then. While remaining close firends, Cook and de Ville were not to work together on any musical material for a long while.
Alex de Ville went on to do other side projects such as revising for GCSEs and establishing the Crouch End rap scene. Meanwhile Alex Cook continued to make more music, not expecting his cheap collection of music equipment to eventually expand into a "Lo-Fi" recording studio. many unreleased tracks were produced, which eventually began to point towards the vast universe of "Electronica". There were a few experimental collaborations with old pal Saayuj Dhannak, but things remained quiet for a while.
That was of course until Cook met talented guitarist Josh Sanger. Both guitarists were impressed with each others abilities, and contrast in playing styles, and this lead to the recording of the legendary "Bananaphone Sessions". With no pre-arranged material Josh and Alex recorded 8 tracks, which consisted of jams, ranging from funk and death-metal covers of Rafi's song, "Bananaphone", to a pornography soundtrack. The intro to "Stairway to Heaven" was a symbolic, recurring theme that appeared on most tracks. After the "Bananaphone Sessions" was recorded and released at a small smale, it was time for a new project.
Now it was time for the formation of notorious, anti-crime rap crew "League of Vigilantes", also known as "LOV". Fronted by Alex de Ville, with Alex Cook making the beats, LOV started to recruit at a truly phenomenal level. Soon there were hundreds of members, who we prepared to at least fight crime if not rap. However, LOV never managed to get any live performances, and the debut album remains unfinished.
It was soon once again, time for Sanger and Cook to record another album. "A Night of Steaming Jiggy" was a decisive step forward form the "Bananaphone Sessions" with a more sophisticated, diverse selection of tracks such as "Capo Music" a chilled, acoustic composition, and a interesting rendition of Pixies song, "Where is My Mind???". The highlights of the album are when the duo attempt to play "Time For Heroes" by the Libertines, but fail. This is largely due to the semi-improvised vocal talent from Cook, who trashes out in a rare, mocking, punk attitude. Many of the recorded failures made in on to the album, which gave the album a comedic edge. The unique production of the album should also be noted, as all songs were recorded using a one track stop/start recorder, and were not edited at all. This means that all songs are surrounded by quiet riffs, talking, and jamming that gives the whole album an indie-band atmosphere.
After "A Night of Steaming Jiggy", Alex decided to continue making electronic songs alone, in his room on his computer. Eventually, influenced by science revision with musical prodigy and good friend Daniel Harle, Alex decided to record "Igneous Intrusion" which with its catchy vocal harmonies and thumping bass synth, became the unexpected, underground cult hit of 2005. Soon everybody was humming the tune, as the song's fame grew.
Josh and Alex then while dwelling on previous successes, decided to start a band of their own. Charlie Brodie a classmate of Sanger was then asked to play bass, despite only having one month of experience. Charlie's girlfriend Cozzie, soon became the band's drummer and a band was formed.
After one rehearsal, Cozzie decided it would be funny to enter the band for her school's "Battle of the Bands". Josh was instinctively terrified by the idea of playing live with no practice, but Alex had other ideas. Within days Alex had looked through his contacts and put together a new, expanded band, with the purpose of playing one night only at the Henrietta Barnet "Battle of the Bands". With hardly any notice, a weekend rehearsal had been organised. With a little help from friends: Alex de Ville (Vocals, Pot Noodle Horn, Humour), Dominic Morris (Banjo), Jacob Perlmutter (aka Umlaut, on Keyboard and Beatboxing), and Tommy Wood (Tambourine, Electric Violin, Eye Candy). The deformed lineup played a selection of badly planned techno-country-hiphop-rock-dance-indie tunes (under the name "The Inflatable Mystery Parade featuring The Sonic Jam aka Moon Unit, an observation by How Do You Titilate An Ocelot?") including "Man of constant Sorrow", "Jam in C", "Power Rangers (Lounge Version)", and "Igneous Intrusion" which went down surprisingly well at the "Battle of the Bands". No winner was declared, but in comparison to the mostly awful lineup of other other bands, the persuadable audience fell in love with our bands novelty gimmicks. "The Inflatable Mystery Parade featuring The Sonic Jam aka Moon Unit, an observation by How Do You Titilate An Ocelot?" won a moral victory, closely matched by the genuinely talented bands "Colour House" and "Collide - O - Scope".
The band's name was eventually shortened to the "Inflatable Mystery Parade", and the band went back to being a four piece, although there are still close bonds with the band's "Honorary Members".
And that's where things stand now, pretty much.
Although we're looking for a singer.
Oh well.
Your influences?
Sonic Jam, Moon Unit, Pixies, Zappa, Aphex Twin, King Crimson, Kraftwerk, Beefheart, Led Zepplin, Hendrix, Lars Horntveth, Iggy Pop, League of Vigilantes, Mars Volta, MF Doom, Love, Four Tet, Wes Montgomery, Wu-Tang Clan, Blur, The Go! Team, Queens of the Stone Age, The Hives, Daft Punk, The Black Keys.
Favorite spot?
Impala, Malmo, Sweden.
Equipment used:
Logic Express, Squier & Ibanez Guitars, Boss Pedals, Keeley Fuzz, Slide, Yamaha Keyboard, Electronic Drumkit.
(2)
Alex Cook
Why this name?
My parents chose it.
Do you play live?
Yes, somtimes. Usually under weird names.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
Internet is good.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Probably for a laff.
Your influences?
Aphex Twin, Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band, Frank Zappa, Mothers of Invention, Jaga Jazzist, Lars Horntveth, Four Tet, Autechre, Pink Floyd, Pixies, Bjork, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Blur, dEUS, Cassette Boy, MF Doom, Daft Punk, Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age, Fatboy Slim, Goldie Lookin' Chain, The Hives, Gorillaz, Heiroglyphics, Howlin' Wolf, The JBs, Hendrix, Led Zepplin, The Black Keys, The White Stripes, John Lee Hooker, Miles Davis, The Kills, King Crimson, Kraftwerk, Lightning Bolt, Squarepusher, Love, The Mars Volta, Modest Mouse, New Order, Outkast, Paul Motian, Primus, Radiohead, Roots Manuva, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Strokes, The Velvet Underground, The Vines, The Who, Boards of Canada, Wu-Tang Clan, Yann Tiersen, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nick Cave, The Go! Team, Gnarls Barkley, Brothers Johnson, Charlie Parker, White Noise, Lou Reed, Dan the Automator, Del the Funkee Homosapien, Deltron 3030, Grandmaster Flash, Skinnyman, Tower of Power, Kurtis Blow, Audio Bullys, Alice in Chains, Steely Dan, Average White Band, The Beatles, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Chuck Berry, Herbie Hancock, Brian Eno, The Roots, Luke Vibert.
Equipment used:
Lots of stuff. But is all linked by a computer.
(3)
"Igneous Intrusion"
Electro-Pop "classic". Author
Copyright
Album
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Genre
Alex Cook
Alexander Cook
Mon Feb 06, 2006
Pop : Power Pop
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Charts position
» highest in charts: # 49 (127,587 songs currently listed in Pop)
» highest in sub-genre: # 2 (4,333 songs currently listed in Pop > Power Pop)
About the song
Written "for" Daniel Harle, relating to science lessons. Do you like rock music?
Lyrics
VERSE:
Igneous Intrusion!
Filled with mystery.
Burn the earth with your hot hot heat!
Igneous Intrusion!
What do you have for me?
Silver dreams and fantasy!
Igneous Intrusion!
Shine your fiery light.
Blazing in the gloomy night!
Igneous Intrusion!
Feel so free to be.
Now that it’s just you and me!
CHORUS:
Now, you can show your true colours!
Hidden away in your golden throne.
Now, you can party with your brothers!
Dark, deep and all alone.
