In the world of Bleep & Booster:
- Art is for everyone
- The human spirit is more powerful than any drug
- To classify is to cheapen
- We created a god, the machine, and in god we trust
- Technology can be anything you want
- We hold the universe within a work of art....

Confused? You will be....

The city of Sheffield sleeps, but high above the dark, foggy streets and weatherbeaten rooftops, Bleep & Booster's nerve-centre is wide awake and fully functional. They gaze out over the giant cityscape and create music as a 'soundtrack' to what they they see.

One thing that no-one can accuse them of is being cynical. The project began as a hobby - something that they really wanted to do rather than some get-rich-quick idea. Bleep & Booster were working as producers and remixers for years, and in fact Steven Singleton of the band used to do a lot of production work for new romantic band, ABC.

The concept of Bleep & Booster has actually been around since 1990, when they independently released an 8 track maxi single featuring 'Electro City' and 'Genki'. A further independent 3 track single 'Technotropolis' was then released in 1991. Apart from these, the only other release the band have had since then, was on a CND compilation album which also included The Orb. Bleep & Booster have been basically enjoying working in their studio, experimenting with sounds, new ways of writing and exploring technology. One day they received a call from London records who had heard of their stuff, and wanted to sign them up - Proving the theory that you can't keep a good band down.

Bleep & Booster work on the philosophy that no machine is perfect, but these shortcomings of technology can help your music rather than hinder it. "We emphasise mistakes and embrace imperfection." Their music is full of happy mistakes. For example, a programmed sequence that is supposed to be playing a synth voice and is playing a percussion sound by some MIDI accident can often sound good.

The music seems to be a fusion of many different styles, Bleep & Booster take inspiration from everywhere. On one track entitled 'Amber to atoms', for instance, they have been influenced by a melody that is played in a Tokyo department store over the public address system. The nearer it gets to closing time, the more complicated and intense the melody becomes. Main musical influences however, I would say, are electric sounds of the late 70's to early 80's. In particular, Kraftwerk.

They have very successfully weaved these influences into their own sound, without the music sounding unoriginal or dated.

Future projects include planned live events consisting of visual information via costume, choreography, stage set, slide projection, video, lighting and TV screens. Behind this performance will be live Bleep & Booster soundtracks played in an exclusive, re-mixed style.

They also say that they will be including audience participation, with sound modules linked to triggering devices, touch sensitive pads and electronic beams. Apparently they are also writing and recording an 'electronic opera'. The performance, they say, will be like theatre, combining film and narration, telling a story about a city and it's inhabitants. "It touches on darkness, desolation, isolation, survival, mystery, unrequited love, romance and power, guns and shadows..."

Weird? warped? Perhaps, but one thing is for sure. These guys know what they're doing. They have technical expertise, ideas, and direction. They have taken their previously limited studio to its outermost creational border, and believe that no matter how little kit you have, you should take your ideas as far as they can go. Listen to the CD and make up your own mind. Whatever you think, this is only the beginning for Bleep & Booster.

The fruits of Bleep and Booster's lucubrations can be heard on the Re:Mix CD. The sounds were generated using the following kit:
Roland Juno 60
Yamaha DX7
Korg Wavestation
Korg MS20
Yamaha TX802
Akai S1000
Roland D110
Yamaha DMP7 digital mixer
Atari 1040ST running Cubase

- Bleep & Booster: Wonder of the World