An
electronic junk punk band,
founded by Dan (electronics & vocals) and Smith (
percussion & noise) in 1989. Babyland's main focus is powerful
live performance which integrates electronic noise with primitive percussion; "performance based
low-end technology". Examples of their attraction to juxtaposition are contained in the use of electronica and
emotive vocals outlining humanity's inherent fallibility and also in the layered instrumentals: a complex cacophony built on a clear,
rhythmic baseline.
Babyland has flirted with on-stage theatrics involving predominant
experimentation with
pyrotechnics. Referring to a tour of the US West Coast in 1996, Smith stated, "we came down with a bad case of
smoke inhalation every single night." The pyrotechnics were canned; their presence "detracted from the audience's
acknowledgement of Babyland's musical presence".
Babyland now release their music through their label, Mattress Records; a coming of age of sorts, as it has increased the control that they are adamant to retain over their own music. Babyland never held any contracts between themselves and a
record label. However, their earlier CDs were released through Flipside Records, whose focus subsequently switched away from music resulting in their inability to further support Babyland. Thus,
Mattress was born; Babyland hold no animosity towards Flipside. Their
music can now be ordered through Amazon. Samples of Babyland's music are also available through
MP3.com.
Discography: LPs/EPs:
The Finger, Mattress Records, 2004
Past Lives (EP), Mattress Records, 2004
2002 (EP), Mattress Records, 2002
Outlive Your Enemies, Mattress Records, 1998
Who's Sorry Now?, Flipside Records, 1995
A Total Let-Down Flipside Records, 1993
You Suck Crap, Flipside Records, 1992
Non-CD Releases:
B-component, Mattress Records, 1998
Half Hearted,
Flipside Records, 1993
Stomach, 1993
The Dogsnatcher EP, 1993
Reality Under Smrow-Toh, 1992
1991, 1991
Babyland has also contributed to a multitude of
compilation releases.
Reference:
http://www.babyland.info/ (official site)
http://www.babyland2000.com/
http://home.earthlink.net/~smith568/
http://members.tripod.com/~Smith568/
http://www.sonic-boom.com/interview/babyland-2.interview.html
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/17/babyland.html
Calast (e2 user)
"We will not go away!"