Pressbook (pdf - 15 Mo)

A ROCK’N’ROLL BAND
LAUSANNE
SWITZERLAND
2013 PRESSBOOK
HEJSAN SVEJSAN EVERYBODY.
the so special atmosphere of the place,
with only vintage audio gear, excellent
tea, and not one computer or new bullshit at all. The Giant Robots were also
very proud to record their new songs
in the city that saw The Beatles -among
other- having big successes in the
Swinging London period.
Now sit down on your sofa, take a drink
and put the needle on the vinyl to
enjoy a piece of history while reading
this booklet. You’ll discover their new
label Soundflat, The Toe Rag Studio, the
discography of the Robots, the Robots
themselves (with the new members
Maude and Guy) - well you probably
won’t discover anything new at this
stage if you’re into rock’n’roll music.
Here is the new Giant Robots LP, released But this small booklet is your guide to
understand the delightfully refreshing
on Soundflat Records on November 1st
world of Switzerland top garage rock
2013. What a thrill! After the world sucact The Giant Robots. Cheers.
cess of «Too Young To Know Better, Too
Hard To Care» that went out in 2006 on
HURRAROP NOW!
Voodoo Rhythm, it has been seven years
of drinking, smoking and lazying in order Hey, here’s what you’ll find into
to have the Giant coming with some new this 2013 bookshit:
material. But wait, not just a new LP, it’s
Official Biography.................page 2
a killer album recorded in one week at
Discography ........................page 4
the now very famous «Toe Rag Recording
Toe Rag / Soundflat...............page 6
Studio» in London under the conductor
Liam Watson. You know, this studio where Technical Revue....................page 7
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?.......
a roster of great rock’n’roll names went
over to record unforgettable tunes. From .............................................page 8
Thee Headcoats to April March, The Kai- Tanze Samba mit mir...........page 14
sers or The White Stripes. They all loved The Venues..........................page 16
Giant Robots
The
Official Biography
Hejsan svejsan,
The Giant Robots are a Rock’n’Roll
band and are ready to conquer the
World. Born in February 2006 (or was
it in 1996, 1976 or 1966 ?), the Giant
Robots have already done many
gigs in their hometown Lausanne, all
around Europe and they’ve released
several records. But let us tell you the
full story of that incredible band:
“One snowy day, Tanguy was
skiing down the “Petit-Chene” street
in Lausanne and suddenly saw the
purple Milka-cow. To avoid this famous Swiss symbol, he turned and
crashed his beautiful face into an old
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garage door.
Because of the violence of the shock,
the door got opened.
“O surprise”, the garage was
full of dusty musical instruments: he
realised that he was inside the rehearsal place of the mythical local heroes
“Les Aiglons”. Nobody walked into
this room for more than thirty years.
His first reaction was to tell it to his
friend Michel (27, an unknown guitar
player), who at the time was surfing on
the famous freezing spot of the Château de Glerolles on the Lake of Geneva. Immediately they were convinced
that they had to bring back the spirit &
sound of their wild rockin’ancestors.
They asked the two most beautiful &
gorgeous girls in town (Julia & Maude),
to play bass and organ in their newly
founded band:
The GIANT ROBOTS were born.”
After the debut 7’’ ‘‘Introducing...’’
done in 1996 and ‘‘Invasion’’ CD in
1998, The Giant Robots made a one
year break due to Michel’s surf trip
in the Pacific Ocean in 1999 (Niuatoputapu, Vava’u, Tanna). In 2000
The Robots striked back with a new
single (A Super Robot E.P., released
in april) which has included, for the
very first time, a hit song in french!
Then, they released the world acclaimed ‘‘Too Young to Know Better...
Too Hard to Care’’ on the unfamous
Reverend Beatman’s Voodoo Rhythm
label.
Nowadays, they’re proud to present
their new opus “Delightfully Refreshing’’ on the Soundflat Records,
the tittyshaker label aus Cologne.
Recorded in 5 days in the Toe Rag
studio in London by the analogic
guru Liam Watson, this new album
brings back the spirit of mid-60’s
rock’n’roll - yéyé!
Last but not least, Guy the english
guy, has fullfilled the minimum requirement to be now the GR second
guitar smasher! Welcome to the club!
The Giant Robots are now ready to
conquer the Universe!!!
And a new 7 inch EP is planned to be
released soon. Stay tuned!
If you’re a modern dude, please check:
Official website: http://www.thegiantrobots.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thegiantrobots
MX3: http://www.mx3.ch/artist/the_giant_robots
But the easiest way to contact the band is per email:
[email protected]
Giant Robots
The
Official Discography
GFR3/OR004 7’’ EP (1996)
‘‘Introducing...’’ is the very first recording of the Giant Robots.
2 covers on it: ‘‘Take Me Away’’ (from american popstars
Ween) and ‘‘City of People’’ (The Illusions). But there is a song
which made the charts: it is the well known instru ‘‘Exhibition
64’’ related to the big Swiss exhibition ‘‘EXPO 64’’ which took
place in Lausanne. This is clearly a wink to Les Aiglons, but
musically totally different. Last but not least ‘‘Don’t Leave Me
now’’ complete the list of the four tracks on this EP.
GFR4/DAB015 CD (1998)
‘‘Invasion !’’, their first album was recorded in 3 days in the old
cave of the Château de Corseaux on the lakeside of the Lake
Geneva. The Giant’s have been able to capture the live energy
of the band and a raw sound similar to those heard on the first
Rolling Stones or Sonics. On this album, the Giant Robots have
shown their love and respect for some garage classics (Like
a Rolling Stone, Ski Bum, Say You Love Me). They putted some
sexy thrill on Come See Me of the fabulous Pretty Things with
the charming voice of Julia. They also “improved” Supersonic
of the little British band Oasis. And finally they were proud to record the song (Shame On
Jane) that the great Jim Pewter, the surf music God, wrote for them. And there are plenty
of great songs (Mr. Ray, Wild Girl, I Don’t Come Back, etc...) written by the Robots.
GFR5/OR009 7’’ EP (2000)
To respond to the popular demand, The Giant Robots decided
to record a song in french on their second 7’’ ‘‘A Super Robot
EP’’. ‘‘Viens Chez Moi’’ is a typically story of a guy wanting
to invite a girl at his place. But... he has
no home and must lie! The King Bees’
‘‘I Want My Babe’’, ‘‘What’s the Matter’’
(instrumental) and the fuzzy ‘‘Devil Girl’’
complete the track listing.
CONTINENTAL MAGAZINE BANZAI
PAGE 4
Excellent US
surf
music
mag
with
plenty of exciting song
on the free
CD. Exclusive
Cut of ‘‘Exhibition 64’’.
More on Banzai on page 14
(in german).
Garage and
60’s
music
on the bonus
CD with also
a version of
Exhibition 64.
j’aime beaucoup
ce que vous
faites.
Very rare track of the
Robot’s on this V/A
comp (DAB): ‘‘Shake
My Babe Around’’
Giant Robots
The
Official Discography
CD: VR1234; LP: VR1234VOODOO RHYTHM (2006)
in the Tradition of 60’s French Pop Garage comes this Band
from the French Part of Switzerland, Michel a Ultra Die Hard
Mod from the romandie still believes in the 60’s.The way of
Live was a thousand times better than today.. and he is right
or not !!! people did REVOLUTION not only talk about it like
we do today and the Spirit of the 60’s you find also in thes
Recordings no Hi Fidelity shit with crap sub bass shit, it’s LO
in recording and HI in Listening Pleassure. the Giant Robots
exists since 1996 and one of their main inspiration are the
Aiglons a french/swiss band from the mid 60’s. What’s good on the Giant Robots is
that its Garage Beat.. these days everybody says from black flag over to the hives
they do garage punk.. but what it’s all about you here in this record, Back to the
Grave Garage Punk with a French touch it’s not aggressive it’s music to get girls and
boys to bed and fuck with them and this it’s what its all about or not ? music to get
Girls to bed with you, and if you ain’t gonna Dance at least after the 3rd song then
you definitely need some Viagra action up your Butt.
(Original text from Voodoo Rhythm Label!!!)
LISTENING TIPS:Track 2 Mauvaises Nouvelles; Track 5 Get Away; Track 7 Elle
Est Partie; Track 11 My New Datsun
Dans la tradition des 60’s French Pop Garage band (en anglais dans le texte) voici
un groupe qui nous vient de la partie francophone de la Suisse. Ce groupe de Lausanne existe depuis 1996 et leur principale source d’inspiration est le groupe the
Aiglons un groupe Franco / Suisse du milieu des 60’s. Au programme de ce quatuor,
Garage Beat Pop ; Jerk, YéYé Beat, Demolition Surf, Fuzz, Twist le tout garanti Fox
Guitar et Orgue Farfisa.
Eén van de conclusies die ik in mijn stukje over de dvd over het label Voodoo Rhythm
trok was dat hun platenbaas een goede smaak heeft bij de keuze van zijn artiesten.
Mijn stukje was nog niet geplaatst of er dient zich een album aan om dit met feiten te
controleren. Het album is van het Zwitserse (Lausanne om precies te zijn) The Giant
Robots. Twee dames, twee heren, ze spelen samen sinds 1996 en zijn nu aan hun twee
volledige album toe getiteld Too Young To Know Better. Too Hard To Care. Het is een
mix van garagerock, surf waar naast het gebruik van gitaar, bas en drums ook een sixties-orgelsaus overheen gegoten is, maar waar een aantal nummers zo hun oorsprong
ROUGE-GORGE (2006)
Here’s a very rare compilation
where the Giant Robots perform
a sixties cover of Stella’s Cauchemar Auto Protestateur! Another french track with some fuzz
and an irriting farfisa’s sound!
CARGO REC.
Elle Est Partie
appears also on
a Cargo compilation together with tracks
from the Thermals, the Bell-Rays or
Motorhead (!)
PAGE 5
Giant Robots
The
Official Discography
Here’s the all latest album of The Giant
Robots, released on November 1st 2013
on Soundflat Records.
Track listing Side A:
1. Sixteen Ghosts
2. Hold Her Tight
3. Tell Me Something New
4. C’est Pas Vrai
5. Shake It Shake It Shake It
6. Attracted To Me
Track Listing Side B:
1. Snuff Factory
2. Something Else Kind Of Woman
3. She’s The Girl
4. Your Gona Break My Heart
5. Five-O-Two
6. The No-Name Man
7. Get A Rid Of You
All songs by The Giant Robots except
#B2 by The Torquays and #B4 by The
Abstract Sound.
Available as SFR-051 LP Version and
SFR-CD-024 CD Version.
It’s all here – yes, THE GIANT ROBOTS
have all the music you need for the perfect long playing party.
PAGE 6
Recorded in London at Toe Rag Studio
by Liam Watson.
The studio was founded in 1991 by
Liam Watson and Josh Collins in the
Shoreditch area of London. In 1997, the
business relocated to Hackney. Toe Rag
offers clients music production using
eight-track multitrack recording technology, and all recording media is magnetic tape. Recording is centred around
an EMI mixing console (originally from
Abbey Road Studios) and Studer A80
tape machine, as well as microphones
by Neumann, Reslo and STC. Vintage
backline includes Vox and Fender amplifiers, and instruments include Farfisa
and Hammond organs, as well as a 1965
Ludwig drum kit.
Soundflat Records is own
by Marco Traxel aka Traxman
who has also established
a name for himself as a disc jockey of
distinction (Garage/Psych/R&B/60’s Soul/
Tittyshaker & more). The headquarters
are located in Cologne Germany. The
range of music stretches from Garage and
Beat, Punk’n’Roll to Power Pop. Bands like
The Montesas, The Incredible Staggers,
The Satelliters, Les Playboys (a.o.) have
already recorded some unforgettable
material for the label.
So if you’re looking to gain some pretty
quick coolness points in the eyes of your
friends, or you’d just like to help two real
nice-but-wasted-vinyl-junkies to keep up
their pretence of having a hip, pretentious
record label - hey, you’ve come to the right
place!
http://www.soundflat-records.de
Text by Suzie Creamcheese
Giant Robots
The
for the great sound engineer
NOTICE: THE MORE VINTAGE GEAR YOU HAVE, THE BETTER IT IS.
Drumkit:
Tanguy plays the drums:
Good Luck!
AMPEG
AMP
FENDER
AMP
Julia is our
Basswoman:
She just found a
vintage Hofner
bass which
sounds great. The
amplifier is an old
Ampeg-style one
with a very big
speaker. She need
a mic to place on
the speaker and
a DI. Julia will
also (try to) sing
in her own Shure
545SD microphone.
Please place a
monitor near her.
1. KICK
2. SNARE
3. HIHAT
4. TOM
5. FLOOR
6. RIDE
7. CRASH
5
6
4
2
3
VOX
AMP
FA R F I S A
AMP
1 7
Michel
plays rhythm
guitar & sings: he
uses a Fender ‘63
Vibroverb guitar
amplifier and will
bring his own
Shure 545SD vocal
microphone with
stand. For the guitar,
take any guitar mic
you have. He needs
a monitoring of his
voice and (mainly)
his guitar.
Guy plays
solo guitar & is
performing some
backing vocals: he
uses a Vox AC15
guitar amplifier and
shout in his own
Shure 545SD vocal
microphone with
stand. Take a good
amp mic. He is very
satisfied with a
loudy monitor in his
feet.
PAGE 7
Maude
plays the Farfisa
Organ (Model
CC-24 Compact De
Luxe). She’ll connect
the output to her
Dynacord Leslie
Amplifier. She needs
3 microphones to
capture the stereo
sound + 1 DI. Please
place a monitor
(side fill or floor) for
her.
Salut les french-speaking-people, nous sommes les Giant Robots et parlons aussi
le francais. Regardes ces quelques commentaires sur notre oeuvre:
PAGE 8
Si les Giant Robots ont attendu depuis si longtemps pour exploser à la face du monde, c’est simplement parce
qu’ils voulaient que le public soit prêt à les apprécier à leur juste valeur ! Aujourd’hui, après qu’Astro, Goldorak,
les Golgoth de la planète Vega, Robocop ou autre Tripods aient fait leur travail préparatif à la venue de l’Ultime
machine, l’heure de l’invasion finale a sonnée ! « Too young to know better, too hard to care ! », une bombe
garage en puissance, assez mal jouée pour être crédible et d’une énergie phénoménale ; sans doute ce qu’il a
manqué à tous ceux qui les ont précédés depuis le début de l’ère de la musique électrique.
PAGE 9
Lords of Rock: Critique Too Young To Know Better, Too Hard To Care !
Enfin ! Enfin ce groupe unique en son genre se décide à sortir son deuxième LP
après une absence des bacs durant au moins 8 ans ! Et Enfin ! Enfin ils sont signés
sur le label le plus respectable, le plus underground, le plus intègre, le plus trash,
le plus fiable qui soit : Voodoo Rythm. Il était temps que ces deux entités se rencontrent, car tous deux partagent un amour sans limites pour les 50’s - 60’s, pour
les mélodies simples, pour la surf music (ce terme pour éviter celui de garage
utilisé à outrance et aussi pour ce que fait The Hives, bien loin du groupe qui nous
intéresse ici), et une aversion profonde pour ce qui touche de près ou de loin à, je
cite : Hi Fidelity shit with crap sub bass. Le ton est donné. Maximum plaisir.
Bon, pourquoi tout ce foin ? Parce qu’ils sont uniques en leur genre : mods dopés
au yé-yé (Get Away), Dutroncs déguisés en France Galles déguisés en Beach
Boys (Share My Love With You), exagérément rétros (le très Shadows Echoes From
Canyon) et aussi parce qu’ils ont cette facilité à vous amuser et vous mettre de
bonne humeur (ceux qui se souviennent de leur formidable reprise de Supersonic
comprendront), parce qu’il est si facile de danser sur leur musique même pour
ceux qui ont deux pieds gauches (Jukebox) et parce que Bye Bye Baby a un son
hardcore d’époque - fuzz s’entend. Ressortez les mange-disques... et restez trash !
PAGE 10
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BASSA FEDELTA (I)
GEARHEAD (USA)
NEW GANDY DANCER (UK)
PAGE 12
POINT BREAK (USA)
Nueva entrega de la etiqueta Ritmo Voodoo, esta vez lejos de introducirnos en los ritmos oscuros y pantanosos de oscuras bandas
no dan a conocer a una banda de su país Suiza. Dos chicos y dos
chicas que se hacen llamar Giant Robots, un cuarteto deudor de
los sonidos mas ye-yes de los sesenta en Francia y con un toque
a medio camino entre el surf y el 60´s sound mas maniático el
resultado es un disco de garaje en toda regla. Lo cierto que tras
diez años de trabajo, un par de singles y un primer cd . Pocos
sabían de la existencia del grupo fuera de Suiza. Este segundo
disco grande en la carrera de la banda, solo apto para fans de los
sonidos sesenteros y fans de la música sin demasiados prejuicios,
encontramos temas do colorido sonoro y ante todo diversión,
empiezan con un ataque de frente con un pildorazo de garaje punk
en toda regla, puro pebbles en sus mejores volúmenes con ese
“Come On Back” para desfogarse base de pop frenético “Mauvaises Nouvelles” en francés, surfean sin ver una sola ola “The Striker” sin nada que envidiar a mis queridos MOAM, Lo cierto que
gracias al Beat_Man ya somos muchos los que andamos colgados
por estos chicos y de temas como “Share My Love With You” con
un inquietante sonido de órgano, “Get Away” y de nuevo otro
instrumental con un sonido muy peculiar en “Echoes From Canyon” y de nuevo mas pop con tintes garageros en francés “Elles
Est Partie” con un consistente trabajo de farfisa (y un fraseo que
no resultara desconocido a muchos*), Le dan al fuzz sin cortarse
un pelo en “Bye Bye Baby” o “”Tell Me What To Do”, pero donde
de verdad en me gusta es cuando hacen juegos entre guitarra,
órgano y voces, entrecortando el ritmo y sonando tremendos como
en ese fantástico “Jukebox” ó “My New Datsun”, de nuevo con el
protagonismo de las teclas Stephanie dando un dinamismo a los
temas bastante notable y siendo uno de los pilares de esta banda
sin ninguna duda. Cerrando otro instrumental “Malaga Twist” con
unas guitarras muy inspiradas y en donde uno puede dejar de imaginarse a las dos féminas de esta banda de esta banda surfeando
en topless, grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!
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PAGE 14
NEVER TRUST A ROBOT
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