Midnight Juggernauts

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Midnight Juggernauts
Sydney, October 4 2007. MTV's The Lair. Left to right: Andy, Daniel and Vincent.
Background information
Origin	Melbourne,  Australia
Genre(s)	Alternative Dance Electronica Electropop Dance-Punk
Years active	2004–present
Label(s)	Siberia Records Capitol Virgin Charisma Astralwerks EMI Inertia
Website	Official site
Members
Vincent Vendetta Andrew Szekeres Daniel Stricker

Midnight Juggernauts are a band originally from Melbourne composed of Andrew Juggernaut, Vincent Vendetta, and Daniel Stricker.^[1] Although the band is often classified as psychedelic electronic/electropop and described as anything from 'prog dance meets cosmic film scores',^[2] 'slasher-flick disco' to 'deadpan landscape',^[3] it is hard to define the band's sound as all the instruments are played live through a range of samplers, pads and various acoustic instruments. Following the release of numerous 7", 12" vinyls, and limited edition EPs, the band released their debut album Dystopia. After playing festivals and headlining tours worldwide during late 2007-2008,^[4] the band has started working on their follow-up album.^[5] The group also runs the label Siberia Records, through which they release their own music and in the future plan to release other artist's material.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Origins 1.2 EPs and vinyl 1.3 Dystopia (2007-present) 2 Discography 3 References 4 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Origins

The band was formed in 2004 by Vincenzi Vendetta and Andrew Szekeres who met in school. They were later joined by Daniel Stricker in late 2006 who has met the two whilst playing in various groups over the years. In early shows the band had many different names and the lyrical content changed from show to show – one time when playing above a Chinese restaurant using the name of items from the menu in the lyrics of a few songs.^[6]

[edit] EPs and vinyl

Following a self-titled EP featuring “Raised By Wolves” in 2005, and the EP Secrets of the Universe in 2006, the band started to quickly gain a following in and out of Australia with the song "Shadows" becoming a hit in clubs and on the Internet. It was originally released as a 12” on friends label Cutters and re-released on Institubes in 2008 along with a host of limited edition vinyl. It and other songs were also featured on many compilations including Modular's Leave Them All Behind, FBI’s Kill Your Idols CD, Kitsune Maison, !K7's DJ-Kicks, Cut Copy’s Fabric Live 29 and a Christmas compilation with Institubes. It was on this Christmas compilation that then French up and coming act Justice (who were also on the compilation) heard the band and declared them their new favourite act,^[7] later inviting them to tour with them around the world.

[edit] Dystopia (2007-present)

In August 2007, the band released their debut album Dystopia in Australia on their own label Siberia Records debuting at #21 on the ARIA Charts. Although not yet released overseas, some of its songs were being played on UK and US radio stations thanks to the many vinyl releases on different independent labels and many compilations, along with support from other artists. Because it was not yet released, the bands music such as "Shadows" was being played on BBC Radio 1, as "Tomorrow Today" on Modular Records which was incorrect.^[8] It also received reviews not only in Australia but in the US and UK (before its release) as well stating Dystopia was an "euphoric hammering together of Krautrock grooves, psychedelic flights of melodic fancy and post-Justice grindy synth noises",^[9] even being declared album of the year in 2007 by Pedro Winter in XLR8R magazine^[10]

At this time the band decided to do a license deal with EMI Records for their label Siberia Records.^[11]

In October 2007 the band were invited to tour with Justice around North America, leaving their mark on the CMJ Festival playing with !!!, Holy Fuck and Klaxons across the UK and Europe.^[12] They then returned to Australia where they played the main stage of the Big Day Out festival alongside acts such as Björk and Arcade Fire.^[13]

[edit] Discography

Album

• Dystopia (2007), Siberia Label/Inertia Distribution

EPs

• Midnight Juggernauts EP (2005)
• Secrets of the Universe (2006), Siberia/Inertia
• Shadows EP (2008), Siberia
• Into the Galaxy EP (2008), Siberia

Singles

• "45 And Rising" 12" (2006), Cutters Label
• "Road to Recovery" (2007), Siberia Label
• "Shadows" 12" (2008) Siberia Label
• "Into the Galaxy" 12" (2008) Siberia Label

Videos

• "Raised By Wolves" from Midnight Juggernauts EP (2005)
• "45 and Rising" from Secrets of The Universe EP (2006), directed by Krozm
• "Shadows" from Secrets of The Universe EP (2006), directed by Krozm
• "Road To Recovery" (2007), directed by Krozm
• "Into the Galaxy" (2008), directed by Krozm
• "Tombstone" (2008), directed by Krozm

Remixes^[14]

• The Presets: "Down Down Down" (2006)
• Dragonette: "I Get Around" (2006)
• K.I.M.: "Wet N' Wild" (2006)
• Damn Arms: "The Cormorant" (2007)
• Sébastien Tellier: "Divine" (2008)
• Cansei De Ser Sexy: "Left Behind" (2008)
• Cut Copy: "Hearts On Fire" (2008)
• Johnny Cash: "Port Of Lonely Hearts" (2008)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Midnight Juggernauts Official Site
• Myspace
• Facebook Page
• iLike Page
• Youtube Channel
• Online store
• Article from the New York Times - May 25, 2008