Scott Landes - Guitars, Background Vocals, Programming...
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Influences
Life in Los Angeles and past/present experiences. Musically speaking, the following bands have influenced
us: Nine Inch Nails Marilyn Manson David Bowie Depeche Mode Slowdive Miranda Sex
Garden The Sisters of Mercy Neurosis Nausea Godflesh Tiamat Iron Maiden Judas
Priest Overkill King Diamond/Mercyful Fate WASP Otep The Beatles Eminem The Ramones The
Misfits Kraftwerk Skinny Puppy Ministry KMFDM Switchblade Symphony Front Line
Assembly
Pink Floyd Led Zeppelin Nirvana Ohm Cake
Portishead Massive Attack Atari Teenage Riot The Sounds Siouxsie and the
Banshees Joy Division Interpol Ikonoklast Babyland Dismantled The Dresden Dolls and a lot of
other bands....
When people who haven't heard of Mankind is Obsolete ask for a description of what they sound like, things get tricky. The super short description would be Coldwave, since their sound fits better with bands like 16 Volt, Luxt, and Christ Analogue than any other genre. Songs like "Parasite" and "Trapped Inside" spit, growl, and drag you through the cataclysmic heavy fallout world that this band thrives in.
But the second they're placed in that category, lead singer Natasha will belt out soft lilting vocals on a song like "Troubled Dreams" or the band will pull back their heavy exterior for a more acoustic close and personal song like "Fading" and suddenly that label falls apart.
This multifaceted sound is readily apparent on Mankind is Obsolete's newest release entitled "Trapped Inside". Produced by the immensely talented Sylvia Massy and Jim Wood, "Trapped Inside" is the bands biggest accomplishment to date and also stands out as being their first fully collaborative cd.
In order to describe their sound it's important to know the people that create the aural firework display that's rises, falls, and explodes when you least expect it. Already mentioned, Natasha is the incredibly versatile female front who co-founded the band with her longtime friend and sonic drummer Jon Siren. Together, their amorphic sound is joined by keyboardist Brian DiDomenico, guitarist Scott Landes, and bassist Joe D'Ambra.
Five individuals fused together to form one cohesive vision. Each unique and each bringing with them an energy level that allows them to tour relentlessly yet still blow the doors off of any venue regardless of its size or location. Drop this band off in front of 200 people in a cornfield, or a sold out show in Arizona, or a flooded basement club in Detroit and they will tear down the walls (or corn stalks) and play as if it's the last show they will ever get to play on Earth.
Reviews
From Regen Artist Spotlight: “…From their early efforts, one can detect the power of Natasha's vocals to be alternately smooth and aggressive, and the instrumental composite of the band's trademark coldwave, industrial and hard rock styles would only intensify to make the band's sound what it is today. The band gained its momentum by creating a solid sound, doing shows at any venue regardless of size, and performing alongside scene favorites such as KMFDM, Collide, and Genitorturers. While they are now thoroughly established on their native west coast, MKIO is sort of a best-kept secret on the east coast. This is gradually changing, however, as the band has emerged with a bigger, more intense sound than ever before with their latest album, Trapped Inside, which they are currently promoting on a year-long national tour, with more stops along the east coast.”
From www.ebm.gr: “This ambitious band from Los Angeles are back with their 2nd full length CD! They take their style of Industrial rock/metal/dark electronica to another level and show more progression on all fronts. The songs are heavier and instantly get your attention.
Natasha's amazing voice intertwines between clean, melodic singing to harsh screams and everything in between. They are one of the best LIVE Bands on the underground circuit right now and are touring the USA all through December. 11 tracks rock you!”
From Matthew Robert Goad'x: “MKIO’s new work ushers in the dawn of a new era. To grasp it, you must first understand that Trans-humanism is the postulation that we can evolve past our basic, special primacies, through emerging technologies such as nanobots and cellular regeneration, while Post-humanism is the theory that there are humans among us who have evolved beyond the rest, and are no longer considered to be a part of our collective race. The album in question will take you through these sentiments, using the medium of sound in a way unlike any other.
I met these guys about four years ago while filming a documentary at Seattle’s traditional grunge club, The Funhouse. I never considered that they would have risen to the heights they have now achieved. There are three separate sites dedicated to this band. A myspace link, their own web page, and a live journal forum. The myspace link alone has already amassed almost forty-five thousand adherents. But before I become their public relations manager, let me clue you into their heart.
The two best songs are ‘Silent Killer’ and ‘Passing Through’. The former is a bloody catharsis of death and betrayal, while the latter invokes aleatory synthetic riffs that transcend brutal lyrics. Their cover art is also revolutionary. The myths of the stork having brought you as a baby, like something out of The Matrix, immortal and hypnotic, comes into play. Go beyond the pale and listen to this stuff under a full moon, for the most fully quixotic effect”.
From BlackTapeMedia.Net , Wayne Cyn1c: “TRAPPED INSIDE, Mankind is Obsolete's second full release is nothing like their first CD, RISE. The sound structure displayed by MKIO is never a constant, it's a shifting, changing process done tastefully and their most recent release, TRAPPED INSIDE is proof, itself, that even music evolves. I've been listening to MKIO since late 2005, right around the time I actually went into college radio, I remember this because RISE was one of the albums I couldn't go a single show without playing. Much like their METAMORPH [EP], TRAPPED INSIDE is a darker, more industrial/rock and synth-based sound but it's heavier, way heavier. I've listened to the whole CD and from beginning to end, the album itself seems to grow, take shape or evolve - This isn't just a CD they decided to go in and record, a lot of work went into this album and it's displayed through their sound.
I believe there's a guide for "101 things necessary to survive a zombie phenomenon", without MKIO's new album there's only 90!! Definitely check this album out - you'll thank for it later ;)”
From the Southeast Missourian newspaper, “What’s on my playlist” column: “This band has to be one of the best unknown and unsigned bands in America. Their style really has something for everyone.”
From J. Sohn, BannedPromotions.Com: “This band continues to get better and better as time goes on. Jon Siren (drums/programming) and Natasha (vocals/guitars) have restocked their arsenal with new members and unloaded a bomb in the musical underworld. I describe this new disc to friends as Sonic Insanity, by that I mean if a CD could be diagnosed as bi-polar then this would be the disc. Moments of beauty pull you in to only pulverize you with intensity. Every song has been wisely crafted to capture and embrace all elements of human emotion.
The band recorded with world famous producer Sylvia Massy and Jim Wood, who have worked with ands like Tool and System of a Down. The group effort is the best MKIO release to date and is leaving fans to wste the world over. Mankind Is Obsolete will be touring North America for the next few months. I urge you to venture to one of their shows and enjoy this emerging force.”
Hey you crazies! Hope all is well. Glad to see that you guys will be here in August! I am there, and I will pass the info along to Mystacopolis too! Do me a favor and go throw down some votes for Jaysun! He is in the running to open up for Linkin Park at Fiddler's Green on August 12th! It's www.addictedtonoise.com/profile/jaysunmorgan
