brainstatik sample mp3s (excerpts)
NOTE: Most of these selections are abbreviated versions of the originals, each of which generally clocks in at 7 to 10 minutes. With limited hosting space here at "Brainstatik Central," and also to allow for shorter download times for those of you without high-speed Internet access, we decided to serve up a batch of these more-digestible morsels so that everyone can have a little taste. Enjoy!
(2003 tracks coming soon!)
unreleased tracks (2002 sessions):
"persian kitten" 3:27
A middle-eastern-flavored song, with Rob and Ken jamming to a tabla and guitar-strum patch percolating from the Korg Karma. Full version is featured on the Gizmo cd (2003).
"fallen barriers" 3:57
This early 2002 song features some tasty and spontaneous changes of mood. One of the magical tracks from the first session with new drummer John. Full version is featured on the Gizmo cd (2003).
"deep sea venting" 3:42
Picture the farm that the aliens from The Abyss might have raised their animals on. Here's the soundtrack for it. Very percussive and hard-edged, with demented "electric violin" solo by Ken. Full version coming soon to cd.
"head first" 4:03
A happy little tropical jaunt that soon turns dark and mysterious. What does that person you just met really want? Another 2002 track from the first session with new drummer John. Full uncut version available soon on cd.
"tablation" 3:03
New for 2002, this shortened mix is still a little rough around the edges, but shows some interesting percussive interplay between Rob, Ken and John. Full version of this mid-eastern flavored ditty has not yet been released.
"steel kisses" 4:01
Discovered buried in the 1999 archives, Glenn proves that he is better than any stinkin' drum sequencer by providing a complex percussive groove live on the TrapKat, while Rob and Ken try to keep up with the shifting counterpoints. Full version available in 2003 on the new Repercussions cd.
"smell the coffee" 3:52
Along with intertwining choral washes by Ken, this dream-inspired improvisation features slowly-evolving guitar textures by Rob and restrained percussion by John. Recorded in 2002. Full version as yet unreleased.
"dancing dwarfs" 3:32
New track from June 2002. Led by wacky sample triggering by John on his vDrums, this is the newest of many band songs that we've categorized as dancing dwarf music. Picture the Seven "hi-ho-ing" in a mosh pit. Full version will appear on a future cd.
"bubble torus west" 4:46
Previously lost track from 1999. With Glenn's synth bell arpeggios on the TrapKat as a base, Ken and Rob take turns pitting "acoustic guitar" melodies against each other. Remastered version is featured on the Gizmo cd (2003).
from “kling” (2001):
"awaken asleep" 3:32
Rob and Ken trading slow, swirling textures. Very quiet and contemplative. Get up early and watch the sun rise to it. Full version is on the Kling cd (2001).
"we drone alone" 3:33
Ken creates the pulse, Rob finds the groove, and the song grows in intensity. Nice range of moods. Full version lurks on the Kling cd (2001), and will slowly draw you into its depths.
from “twister” (2001):
"miami nice" 4:07
When Glenn moved to North Carolina, we captured and looped previously-recorded drums on the newly-christened RoboGlenn drum sampler and carried on without him. This excerpt takes the music even further south to discover a bit of intrigue and danger-- thus the title. Ken adds lots of extra live keyboard-drumming to the mix, with Rob providing some tasty knife-edge guitar leads. Full version is on the Twister cd (2001).
"moonbeat" 4:04
With a guitar synth drone on and a RoboGlenn drum loop locked on autopilot, Rob and Ken are free to explore the barren landscape. Extra percussion by Ken; soaring space guitar by Rob. Longer version appears on the Twister cd (2001).
from “live 2000” (2000):
"on angels’ wings – live" 3:51
From Brainstatik's very first live outdoor concert. Rob and Ken set almost every synth patch to "Symphony" on this one, with Christine joining in on her custom 2-string electric viola. Listen closely and you can hear some of the little angels in the background. The crowd asked if some of this song was pre-recorded (it wasn't at all!). Much longer version available on the Live 2000 cd.
"song of india – live" 3:52
This all-out live concert jam from 2000 features the children of Chesterfield Township, NJ pounding out the rhythms on homemade drums, transforming the band into one big percussion ensemble, with Christine providing the vocal sample overlay. Full version of this yearly crowd favorite is captured on the Live 2000 cd.
from “concussion vol.2” (1998-99):
"the old grind" 2:19
This demented song holds the honor of shortest Brainstatik tune ever recorded, but the length seemed just right as Jim's bass line led the way down this short and twisted path. This version was released on the Concussion Vol.2 cd (1998-99).
"traffic jam" 3:26
Rob, Ken and Glenn offer little explanation for this brief but reckless orchestral exploration. Sometimes weird music just pours out, and the band members just look at each other and sputter: "Whoa, what just happened there?" Even the horribly-distorted, badly-recorded drums sound perfect in this context. This spontaneous, never to be duplicated band favorite can be found on the Concussion Vol.2 cd (1998-99), and on 2003's Gizmo cd.
from “concussion vol.1” (1997):
"ant machines" 4:10
A rollicking driving train ride, led by energetic nonstop drumming by Glenn and bass licks by Ron. Whew... this was all played LIVE--- it is NOT a fast drum machine track you hear!. Full version runs for an exhausting ten and a half minutes on the Concussion Vol.1 cd (1997).
"high score" 2:53
Starts out like a bizarre video game score, then devolves into a dense percussive jam between Glenn and Ken, while Rob's haunting guitar melody keeps it churning along. Full version appears on the Concussion Vol.1 cd (1997)
from “spike” (1997-98):
"egypt" 4:08
Could serve as an alternate soundtrack for that mummy movie. Just Rob and Ken feeling regal and orchestral. Full version available on the Spike cd (1997-98).
"theme for synthia" 4:02
Slowly building in intensity and morphing over time, this 1997 track features some nice bass work by Ron. Classic case of the band's tight improvisations turning into something unexpected. Full version can be heard on the Spike cd (1997-98).