MEDIA RELEASE – 7 AUGUST 2014

Brisbane Electronic Music 1979-2014: The BNE Event Luminary Brisbane electronic acts reform to celebrate the city’s electronic music achievements

The BNE Project celebrates 35 years of independent electronic music production in Brisbane from 1979 to 2014, through the release of a new book and music archive featuring 140 bands & artists and over 260 tracks. BNE was researched and produced by Dennis Remmer – co-owner of Brisbane record label Transmission Communications (Trans:Com) – and will be launched at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Saturday, 6 September 2014.

The BNE event features live performances from The Megamen, Vision Four 5, Soma Rasa, and Boxcar, supported by DJ Jen-E; all of which are luminaries in the Brisbane scene, and several of which who have reformed exclusively for this event. The event will also feature a pop-up record store dedicated to rare and unique Brisbane-only music productions.

Tickets for the event are only $30+bf standard, or $90+bf for the deluxe package (which includes a copy of the BNE book + music archive). Tickets are strictly limited in number and should be booked through the Brisbane Powerhouse ticket office or http://brisbanepowerhouse.org

BNE is a unique project and event, not to be missed by anyone who loves Brisbane and its unique music cultural history.

BOXCAR

Boxcar is a successful Australian synth and techno band formed in the mid-‘80s. The band initially produced several cassette-only releases including the album P.C.M, with the band’s material referencing contemporaries such as New Order, Cabaret Voltaire and Severed Heads. They rose to prominence after releasing the single Freemason in 1988 after signing with Volition Records, and hit number 8 in the US Billboard dance music chart. This was soon followed by the singles Insect (remixed by Arthur Baker) and Gas Stop (remixed by Francois Kevorkian), both of which also charted in the US.

Boxcar’s debut album Vertigo was internationally well received and considered more sophisticated than most electronic music produced in Australia to that point. Live dates and tours followed, including supports for New Order, Depeche Mode and Pet

Shop Boys. Boxcar on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uqzVPDqqtM A remix album Revision with reworkings from Vertigo was released in 1992, and

Boxcar’s follow-up album Algorhythm from 1994 was a notably more trance and house-influenced effort than the synthpop of Vertigo, and spawned the singles "Universal Hymn", "What Are You So Happy About?" and "People Get High".

VISION FOUR 5

Vision Four 5 was a live dance music act whose performances featured interactive video technology. First appearing in 1991 on their Symedia imprint, the Vision Four 5 led the scene from 1993-1997 with members Noel Burgess (music), Tim Gruchy (video / interactives), Ben Suthers (music) and Al Ferguson (video / animation).

In this time V45 produced two albums, Texture and Humid, and numerous singles and EPs on Volition Records / Sony Music including Cyberphobia, Ritual Of Love, Everything You Need, Funkify Yourself (featuring Lollie), and Purple Lamp. The band toured constantly and remixed many of Australia’s finest.

Vision Four 5 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyKD4LS7glM

SOMA RASA

Formed in 1997 by brothers Bill & Dan Hazard and Shannon Jessop, Soma Rasa work at the nexus of breakbeat and electro. The band released their debut EP that year, igniting attention from Rolling Stone and Triple-J and recognition as a national ‘live’ electronic act. Soma Rasa attracted some big name tours in the late ‘90s, with support slots for Fugazi, Fatboy Slim, Roni Size and Regurgitator. Their live show was in full effect when Moby picked them up for his Australian tour in 1999.

Further releases including the single Future Of Der Funk and album I Mix Therefore I Am gained critical acclaim, scoring high rotation on national radio. The success of their 2003 On The Run EP on their Freefall Records label, and the vocal additions of Kina and MC Handy in the live show set a slate for a fresh and progressive sound to Soma Rasa on YouTube: become clear. In June 2005 Soma Rasa met and recorded with legendary L.A. hip-hop www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nKBGxOTcaM act Digital Underground and released the single Say What You Say. Spending twelve weeks in the AIR charts, the track was a true meeting of the minds and a pulsing dance floor anthem.

THE MEGAMEN

The Megamen had a steady cult following amongst the Brisbane new romantic and synthpop club scene, performed on TV for Channel 7, and supported national touring bands including The Reels, Real Life and Deckchairs Overboard before going their separate ways in the late ‘80s. The band is reforming specially for the BNE performance.

Megamen on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy89nEBIE6M

DJ JEN-E Jen-E is synonymous with Brisbane’s fondest memories of the ‘90s club and party scene. Since her first party gig at one of the infamous Adrenalin parties in 1992, Jen-E has gone on to feature in most major party line-ups; not only in Brisbane, but also in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Cairns... basically Australia-wide.

Jen-E has made herself a favourite of Queensland’s dance scene, due to the sincerity which goes into each and every set she plays; as proven by being voted #1 favourite DJ in a poll run by The Tube, and also taking out the title of People’s Choice Best DJ (QLD) at the National Dance Music Awards 2001.

About the BNE book/archive

BNE is a coffee-table style book packaged with a USB-device music archive; featuring 140 bands & artists and over 260 tracks. The book features artist chronologies, history, and opinion, and includes contributions spanning the years 1979 to 2014.

The BNE book is incredibly detailed and is a definitive statement of artistic endeavour and cultural creativity from a scene that has flown “under the radar” for too long, in a city better known for its punk and alternative rock output. The book features extensive artist chronologies, history, and opinion and includes contributions from over 140 participants in the scene, including Dave Smith (Boxcar), Lawrence English (Room40), Phill Thomson (nAM-sHUB of eNKI / Monster Zoku Onsomb!), Noel Burgess (Vision Four 5), John Willsteed (John-e Xero / ZIP / Go-Betweens etc), Andrew Kettle (Kettle / Poota / Atmospheric Disturbances), Craig Sue (Paramour / Genetic), Ande Foster (Clan Analogue / Soundhive) and many more. See below for the full list.

The BNE Deluxe Edition will be available from September 6 at selected Brisbane independent book and record stores, as well as through the BNE Project website at http://projectbne.com. The special first edition is expected to sell out quickly, so pre-orders on the site are recommended to secure a copy.

All profits from the book release are being donated to the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, which aims to improve the wellbeing of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of the Brisbane community.

For more information and photos: Visit http://projectbne.com or contact Dennis Remmer, Label Co-Director / BNE Project Co-ordinator, Trans:Com Email [email protected], Mobile 0404 004103