Violet Winter- Abuse Me Music Video

Photo courtesy of Lisa Marie Ogle

So, once in a while, we get to shamelessly promote ourselves at Front 312. Okay, so we do it all the time. We are promoters as well as DJs and musicians, after all. Recently, I directed a music video for up and coming Chicago band Violet Winter.

The video draws on a bizarre list of my influences from Fritz Lang, to Chris Cunningham, to The Red Shoes. Feel free to draw your own conclusions about the storyline.

Front 312 Photos are up at Glitterguts.com!

This month's Front 312 party at NEO could have been a total disaster due to the torrential downpour that started in the early afternoon and continued through the night. When we left the club, cars were stalled out, and you could barely pass under any of the Chicago's bridge underpasses to get home.

However, that didn't stop people from packing NEO this month, and the proof is definitely in the photos from Glitterguts. If you like what you see, check www.glitterguts.com for more!

Secret Service- Flash In the Night (Mr. Automatic Edit)

For the uninitiated, 80's band Secret Service enjoyed very little popularity in the United States when they released their biggest hit, Flash in the Night. In fact, I had completely forgotten about it until I attended a recent screening of the Swedish vampire film, "Let The Right One In". Not one to be content with merely playing a track out, I decided to keep the more sinister elements of the song and remove the filler, otherwise known as "verses" or a "chorus".

I like sharing, and since I probably will not find a legitimate way to make money off of this edit, here it is for your listening and DJing enjoyment!

Secret Service- Flash in the Night (Mr. Automatic Edit)

July 23rd is the next Front 312 at NEO Nightclub in Chicago!

Once, again, we packed NEO with a diverse crowd of awesome individuals. Here are a few choice picks from the last event:






Chicago's Premier electro/industrial/post punk dance party is back Friday july 23rd @ Neo.

Dj's
Le Sprite
Black Automatic
Eddie Riot
and
Peter Propaganda

will be tearing up the dance floor with classic tracks, new edits, and all the best in new wave, industrial, electro, post punk, house music, acid, italo disco and techno.

Rsvp for no cover before 11.

Photobooth by Glitterguts.com!!!

Hosted by Mayra Hernandez and the Front 312 crew.

Zola Jesus Video for "Night" Turns Goth Aesthetic on Its Head

We have been waiting for this video for quite a while now at Front 312. I am so glad to see Zola Jesus really pushing the limits of what has been traditionally referred to as goth. Sure, the band has been doing that with their sound ( I initially thought I was hearing the Cocteau Twins), but their latest "Stridulum EP" and resulting music videos have taken a gigantic leap from their demo recordings.

The music video is a blend of influences ranging from the gaudy and audacious (see Disco) to the work of neon artist Dan Flavin.

Click below to watch the music video for "Night".

Metroplis restored footage fills in the missing gaps.

So, while visiting Detroit, I decided to take in a screening of the now complete version of Fritz Lang's classic distopian tale of a future where the workers are kept under ground, while the more affluent caste lives above. Now, with 30 more minutes added (of 16mm footage which is in passable condition), the movie finally makes sense. All of the gaping plotholes and confusing character motivations are now brought to light and allow us to see this masterpiece finally as it was intended to be seen. I have been waiting for this since I first saw a 85 minute cut as a kid. Now, at 2 hours, thirty five minutes it is a completely different movie.

Check out Kino's website for movie showtimes in a city near you!
http://www.kino.com/metropolis/

Also, for those who will not be able to see the movie until it comes out on DVD, check out this lovely leaked Youtube clip including some of the footage:

Front 312 Returns to Neo Friday, June 25th with Heaven Malone and JoJo Baby!

Started in late 2008, Front 312 is a dance party featuring resident DJs Adam Black, Mr. Automatic and local designer and DJ Le Sprite, which aimed to bring back the days where a plethora of musical genres could be heard at a club in any given night. Inspired by 90's Detroit underground parties, infamous Chicago nightclub Medusa's, and local record store/label Wax Trax! co-founders Black and Automatic set out to throw a party that made new wave, goth,industrial, house music, acid, techno, italo disco and post punk relevant and accessible to the current dance scene.

Front 312 Returns to Neo Nightclub on June 25th with special guest Heaven Malone. Heaven has promoted and DJed with a wide range of talent including Ministry, Marky Ramone, Hey Champ, Peaches, Thrill Kill Kult, Justice, IAMX, Ladytron, and the Ting Tings to name a few.

Front312 consists of seven members, including djs and promoters from all of the tribes in chicago, photographers, artists and writers, and is currently involved with several events located around the city. Front.312.com, a blog discussing gothic, industrial, steampunk, music, fashion, and nightlife trends both locally and abroad launched in late 2009. The events have been featured in Timeout magazine, Metromix, Kilter magazine, I.E., Myopenbar.com
and the Chicago Reader.

In March, the collective moved their successful party to Neo nightclub; packing the dance floor with Chicagoans young and old, from all walks of life. Tucked down an alley off of Clark street, Neo has debuted and propagated the best in underground dance music styles for over 30 years.

Featuring resident djs, Peter Propaganda, Eddie Riot, Le Sprite, and Black Automatic, and Hosted by nightlife staple Jojo Baby, the FRONT are pulling no punches this time around. Expect to hear everything from Cashmere, Motor,
Nitzer Ebb, The Cure, The Clash, The Presets, Devo, to Fad Gadget and Lords of Acid.

FRONT 312 debuts @ Neo Friday, June 25th @ 10pm.
cover is $5.

Free before 11pm w/rsvp to Front312 Facebook Account

Drink specials all night long!

check www.Front312.com for details and updates

Soul, Psychedelic, and Garage Rock night takes over Beauty Bar in Chicago

 

It's not often we get to really dig deep into our records crates and play music we grew up on or genuinely, passionately love.  In two weeks, the Front 312 crew is going to be doing just that.  We will be playing soul, rare groove, psychedelic, and garage rock records from our collections at Beauty Bar on Wednesday, May 26th.  It should be a great time.  Expect to hear anything from classic Tamla Motown records to obscure funk from late 60's/early 70's Italian cinema.

-Mr. Automatic

Official Press Release:

Front 312 co founders Adam Black & Mr. Automatic bring a new concept to the fabulous new Beauty Bar. Sponsored by Untitled Clothing & Dewars 12 year old scotch, these two local dj's and promoters present a night of Mod Jazz, Garage Rock, Soul, Motown, and Psycadelia that is sure to unite generations.

Featuring a complimentary 12 year old scotch tasting hosted by Dewars from 9 - 11.

as well as complimentary Hair Styling provided by Jessie Boi (I'll Cut You Studios) and Helena "boh!" Bena.

Join us for a night of sophistication and debauchery, rare groove, and classic tracks.

featuring $6 Tall boy of Pabst Blue Ribbon + Jameson Shot

Free Entry All Night!

Beauty Bar
1444 w Chicago Ave
http://www.beautybar.com

http://www.untitledshop.com
http://www.Front312.com

Italo Disco Computer Love Mix Now Available!

Mr. Automatic feat. Le Sprite- Computer Love Mix

1.  Space- Carry On, Turn Me On (Bottin Remix)
2.  Cyber People- Void Vision (Jake Bullit Edit)
3.  Telex- L'Amour Toujour (Razormaid Mix)
4.  Doctor's Cat- Feel The Drive (Inst.)
5.  IMS- Runaway
6.  Fun Fun- Happy Station
7.  Mr. Flagio- Take A Chance (Extended Mix)
8.  M G- When I Let You Down
9.  Stopp- I'm Hungry (Bootleg Original Mix)
10.Electra- Are You Automatic (Cosmic Cuts Edit)
11.'Lectric Workers-Robot is Systematic
12.Secret Service- Flash in the Night (Mr. Automatic Edit)
12.KOTO- Visitors (Mr. Automatic Edit)
13.Fancy- Lady of Ice (Yes, we went there)

Although we here at Front 312 so very often focus on dark, dark dance music, occasionally we like to break out the classic jams.  Le Sprite and I are starting a new bi-monthly this month called Computer Love, a night of Italo Disco at Rodan.  The event will be April 29th, but to get a taste of what we are all about I decided to make a mix devoted to my love of melodic synths, cheesy FM stabs, and vocals that make little to no sense.

I originally found out about Italo Disco from talking to Detroit Techno and House DJs about the old party scene.  Back in the day, high school and backyard parties embraced music by Parliament, Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, Telex, Capricorn, Fad Gadget, Kano, Yaz, and Prince among others.  The Italo Disco played along with this other music would go on to influence the creation of Techno, from the fake accent and fashion references of "Sharevari" to the distopian future depicted by Juan Atkins in "Alleys of Your Mind".  Meanwhile, in Chicago Italo was beginning to be played at venues such as The Music Box and The Warehouse.  The last venue ended up being the most critical in this scenario, because Italo and similar music began to be labeled "House Music" specifically by the now defunct record store Imports, etc.

Most of the influence in this mix comes from old tapes of the Hot Mix 5 on WBMX that I have found posted around the internet.  Taking that as my jumping off point, I utlized a combination of vinyl and Ableton live, adding in some of my own re-edits as well as a few from other producers, and later Italo tracks that depict a more clean and pro studio sound.

So, feel free to download this, pop it into your ipod, roll down your car windows, and go cruising down Lake Shore Drive.  Trust me, that's the only way to listen to this mix.


Mr. Automatic feat. Le Sprite- Computer Love Mix

Proenza Newgoth

THRILLED to see that the psuedo-goth-with-style look is not going anywhere soon. Thanks Proenza, for validating my chosen societal subculture. I'm not being ironic either!

 

This fall, I have a feeling that a few staples might be a sheer black button-down blouse, highly tailored skirt, and dark lips. This pleases my inner spookiness.

April Ceremony Photos

Hey guys, here are the photos from the April installment of Ceremony on 4/1/2010 at Liar's Club. A good time was had by all! Thanks to Perfect Kiss for rocking out, and Christina Death for setting up a memorial for Rozz Williams. Click the thumbnails for the higher-res versions.

Front 312 Easter Dinner at Castile De Automatique.

"S@#$, if this is gonna be that kind of party, I'm gonna stick my dick in the mashed potatoes"

Happy Easter From the folks at Front 312!!!

Perfect Kiss Joins Front 312 for Ceremony at Liar's Club

That's right, we are doing it again.  Last time, we all had so much fun, and this time looks to be even bigger!

For the second installment of Ceremony, local favorites Perfect Kiss will be performing. Perfect Kiss have been playing clubs and undergrounds around Chicago for a few years now, and have consistently rocked whatever venue they have played. Their sound comes from a wide range of influences including early Depeche Mode, late-eighties alternative, and the new school of Electro.

Through the rest of the night, DJs will be playing classic 80's new wave, alternative dance favorites, cold-wave and dark wave rarities, Italo re-edits, and an assortment of classic and new-school synth pop.

While there, check out Liar's Club's newly renovated dance floor and banging sound system. As if that was not enough, cover is a mere $2 dollars! Specials range from the ultra-affordable $2 PBR to the dangerously enticing $6 Delirium Tremens drafts that will be on tap all night.

$2 PBR
$3 Jim Beam
$6 Delirium Tremens (awesome!)

Only Two Dollar Cover! Free Live Music!

Djs:
Peter Propaganda
Eddie Riot
Black Automatic
Le Sprite
Live performance by Perfect Kiss

Hosted by Le Sprite and Adolf Hipster

Photos by Lattershed Photography

Located at the Liar's Club
1665 w Fullerton
Chicago, IL

RSVP on Facebook now

NEO Nightclub hosts Front 312 Friday, March 26th!

Well, we have finally brought our Front 312 one-offs to Neo Nightclub.  We are very pumped about this night, as NEO has a reputation that goes back a few decades as being one of Chicago's classic havens of dark dance music.  Every band you can imagine has spent time here at one point in their career. People like David Bowie and even Bono used to frequent the club while in town on tour.  With a background like that, it's safe to say that this party is going to be our best yet.  Please come out and join us as we celebrate Chicago's past and look forward to the future.

-Mr. Automatic (Front 312 Co-Founder)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a time when electronic dance music has become ubiquitous amongst nightlife and youth culture and the homegrown music styles pioneered in the midwest during the 1980s and 90s have given way to the vague east coast/miami sound of "indie electro," Front312 cofounders Adam Black and Mr. Automatic are sticking to their guns.

Started in late 2008, Front 312 is a dance party featuring resident DJs Black, Automatic, and local nightlife maven Le Sprite, which aimed to bring back the days where a plethora of musical genres could be heard at a club in any given night. Inspired by detroit nightclubs, infamous Chicago nightclub Medusa's, and local record store/label Wax Trax! co-founders Black and Automatic set out to throw a party that made new wave, goth,industrial, house music, acid, techno, italo and post punk relevant and accessible to the current dance scene.

Front312 has since grown to seven members, including djs and promoters from all of the tribes in chicago, photographers, artists and writers, and is currently involved with several events located around the city of chicago. Front.312.com, a blog discussing gothic, industrial, steampunk, music, fashion, and nightlife trends both locally and abroad launched in late 2009. Our events have been featured in Timeout magazine, Kilter magazine, I.E., Myopenbar.com
and the Chicago Reader.

Beginning Friday, March 26th, the collective is pleased to announce that the monthly Front312 dance party will be held at Neo nightclub. Tucked down an alley off of clark street, Neo has debuted and propagated the best in underground dance music styles for over 30 years. We are priviledged to bring the movement home.

Featuring resident djs, Peter Propaganda, Eddie Riot, Le Sprite, and Black Automatic, and Hosted by Adolf Hipster, the FRONT are pulling no punches this time around. Expect to hear everything from Cashmere, Nitzer Ebb, The Cure, The Clash, The Presets, Devo, to Fad Gadget and Lords of Acid.

Mainstay of the Chicago Club scene for over 30 years, Zander Mander, is joining us to celebrate his birthday with Front312's very own Adam Black. While Michael Alig was leading the way for club kids and revolutionizing nightlife in New York , Zander Mander was doing his own thing, Chicago style. Zander is preparing to make a debut to the stage after 10 years, and announcing a national club tour celebrating his 30 year anniversary. We are honored that such an iconic figure chose to work with and spend his special day with us.

FRONT 312 debuts @ Neo Friday, March 26th @ 9pm.
cover is $5.
rsvp to Front312@gmail.com for guestlist.

check www.Front312.com for details and updates

A NOTE FROM ZANDER:

I know a lot of you have been waiting for everything I have coming up this year. This party is the kick-off to it all! I am working with FRONT 312 as I know they are going to pull off an AMAZING party and I want you all to join in. A lot of you are coming from out of state and I promise you that it will definately be worth the trip.

So join us and COME AS YOU ARE!! this means EXPRESS YOURSELF to the FULLEST....it's gonna be a hell of a night!

WARNING: There will be celebrity sightings & many of the nightlife's best and well know personalities attending!

check www.Front312.com for details and updates

Ceremony Photos

Thanks for coming out to Ceremony! Here are the photos I did from that night. Click the thumbnails for the high-res versions. Enjoy!

Led Er Est Takes Us Back to the Beginning

I have lately cited Led Er Est as being part of the new movement of dark dance emerging from New York City.  Their label, Weird records, has a roster of talent that includes Xeno and Oaklander, Martial Canteral, and Automelodi.  All of these bands hearken back to the early days of dark synthpop and the development of dark wave.

Led Er Est itself is a three-piece, consisting of SHAWNNoEQ SAMUEL KkLOVENHOOF + OWEN STOKES.  The band emerged initially as an experimental act, but their most recent release has taken them in a slightly different direction.  The screams, yelps, and droning synths are still all present, but this release sees them taking a similar road to Cabaret Voltaire in the late seventies.

Their full-length LP, Dust on Common, is a collection of dark disco.  Port Isabel, probably their most well-known track, is a dance-floor nightmare.  It is simultaneously haunting and infectious.  Take a listen in this video clip from a recent performance:

FRONT312 presents: CEREMONY, an evening of new wave, synth pop, and alternative dance.

 

Ceremony is a new monthly, occurring on Thursdays at Liar's Club, beginning with Thursday, February 25th at 9pm.

For the first installment of Ceremony, members of Clique Talk will be premiering their new synth pop project, VALIS.  VALIS is different from Clique Talk, in that the emphasis is more on keyboards and synthesizers, with pop leanings reminiscent of early Human League or Cabaret Voltaire.

Through the rest of the night, DJs will be playing 80's new wave dance favorites, post-punk rarities, and an assortment of classic and new-school synth pop. As if that was not enough, the event is completely free, and specials range from the ultra-affordable $2 PBR to the dangerously enticing $6 Delirium Tremens drafts that will be on tap all night.

$2 PBR
$3 Jim Beam
$6 Delirium Tremens (awesome!)

No Cover! Free Live Music!
Djs:
Peter Propaganda
Eddie Riot
Black Automatic
Live performance by VALIS (members of Clique Talk)

Hosted by Le Sprite and Adolf Hipster

Located at the Liar's Club
1665 w Fullerton
Chicago, IL

RSVP on Facebook now

Angels and Kings' Disappear Here Night Features Black Automatic

So, Adam and I are playing for the Disappear Here crew at Angels and Kings next Thursday the 18th of February.  This event is always a good time.  As a special treat, we are premiering a new Yeah Yeah Yeahs remix that night, and you can download the exclusive leak of the track here at Front 312!  Angels and Kings is located on Clark St. just north of Rock and Roll McDonalds in Chicago's River North.  Come early, because it gets packed pretty quickly.  There is no cover, and several amazing drink specials are available.

Download the exclusive new remix from Mr. Automatic of Black Automatic now!
 
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Skeletons (Mr. Automatic Remix)

Absolute Body Control: The EBM Blueprint

Before performing in "The Klinik", an influential second wave EBM act, Dirk Ivens was working on a project in the vein of Suicide and DAF called Absolute Body Control.

Pre-dating the move to synthesizers for inspiration, Dirk had been in a handful of new wave and punk bands. The project originally feature Mark De Jonghe (synths) and Veerle De Schepper (backing vocals), though Mark was replaced in 1981 by Eric Van Wonterghem.

The project released a number of cassettes, but only one 7" (Is There An Exit?) and no studio albums during its brief period of musical output. In retrospect, however, their music sounds very forward-thinking in its approach. Their cover of Brian Eno's "Baby's On Fire" both pays tribute to the original while breaking new ground in what would eventually become EBM. Even the name of their group, Absolute Body Control, indicates that they were aware of what was coming very soon around the musical bend.


Absolute Body Control-Baby's On Fire


Absolute Body Control-Figures

Zola Jesus

I normally don't post about music - I stick with sartorial musings, generally - but I've stumbled across a musician that is so spectacular that I must share her with you all. Her name is Zola Jesus, and she sounds like a cross between Diamanda Galas, Elizabeth Fraser, and Karin Dreijer - if their collective music was trudged through a pile of molasses.

Zola Jesus is the work of Nika Danilova. What's amazing is that she's only 19 and she's already come into her own. From what little I've been able to gather about her over the internet, I've learned that she's a classically trained musician and comes from Madison, Wisconsin. It's true... the cold, gray flatness of the Midwest brings out the spookiness in all of us. Her music is terrifying, arresting, lush, and beautiful all at the same time. She screams and wails and sings with passion and pain, really lovely stuff. I highly encourage you all to check out her 2009 LP The Spoils, released on Sacred Bones Records. Certainly one of my favorite albums that came out in 2009. I haven't seen in records stores, but I was able to purchase from the iTunes music store.

Zola Jesus will be performing at the Empty Bottle on February 13th, 2009, and will be an in-store at Permamant Records that same day. She will also be performing at Beat Kitchen on March 13th, 2009. Her myspace is here, where you can hear a few of her songs. "Sink the Dynasty" is my personal favorite.

Ann Demuelemeester Fall/Winter 2010 Men's Ready-to-Wear

What a fantastic men's collection from Ann Demuelemeester. This collection was shown at Men's Fashion Week in Paris recently, and has been critically acclaimed for her use of leather textures, soft drapes, subtle sheen and color pallete, and excellent use of hardware accessories.

The draped, architectual look is a good look - it's modern and flattering on men and women. I'm thrilled to see that fashion is stepping away from too-tight clothing in favor of looser fits and simple colors. Even her structured men's jacket aren't too sharply tailored. It's a look that I've been experimenting with myself recently. I must say, it's a nice change of pace to wear garments that don't hug the body too tight, and instead just follow natural human curves.

As the pictures above show, the best way to offset a loose, draped look is with a pair of more severe boots or accressories. Ann's signature combat boots provide a nice contrast to the flow of her garments. I'm sure your goth stomping boots can achieve a similar effect, we all have a pair in our closet somewhere!

Head over to The Fashionisto to view the full collection.

Cyberoptix Tie Lab

If you are not yet familiar with the work of Bethany Shorb or her super fancy Cyberoptix tie lab, I highly suggest you inquire.

For years, this Detroit-based designer has created an extensive line of unique, elegant silk screened ties. Her playfully dark designs draw inspiration from a large variety of influences such as industrial waste, Victorian wood cuts, human anatomy, and old school computer graphics (read: lace-like brain neurons and 8-bit blood trails.)



While Cyberoptix has has been up in running for years (check her site for closest store locations) her newest mini collection has particularly sparked my interest...
Introducing: bow ties!



CUTE, no?
I'm loving "Topographical error" in ivory and "exhaust" in charcoal.

All ties and other wares can be found here:

http://cyberoptix.com
http://toybreaker.etsy.com
http://trunkt.org/cyberoptix

I could elaborate for pages on about her other projects in fashion, photography, and music, but I will let you discover for yourself.

You can read about such endeavors here:
http://toybreaker.net/blog

Last but not least, I certainly couldn't mention Ms. Shorb and her work without giving a shout-out to her Detroit based DJ group: DETHLAB!
We were lucky enough to host them at Front312 sometime last year, and their performance was nothing short of ultra-fun.

Check them out here:
http://dethlab.net
http://myspace.com/teamdethlab


Stay tuned for future posts featuring both Bethany and the Dethlab crew.

Eddie Riot's I Heart NEO Tues, Feb. 2nd

In two weeks, it will be time once again for I Heart NEO! For the month of February, Eddie Riot will be celebrating his day of birth with all of us. Come out for a monthly event that is steadily gaining momentum and becoming one of the hottest 1st Tuesdays in Chicago

DAF: Der Raeuber Und Der Prinz

I'm not sure at what point it became uncool to deal with homoerotic themes in industrial music and ebm, but I am going to guess it happened when they started throwing distortion and cowboy hats into the mix.  I was not around, so I really have no way to know first hand how it happened.  All I know is that it's all right to reference DAF if you are into "electro" but not okay if you are talking about industrial music.  I have been ridiculed several times for being into DAF, with the reasoning of the opposing party being pretty much rooted in American misconceptions about masculinity.  Of course, the opposing party was also usually wearing really wide-leg pants with cyber-goth dreads.

What I don't quite understand is this...

Why is it okay to like Nitzer Ebb, but not okay to like DAF?  Before they turned to synths, DAF were an intense band that were hardcore before hardcore even existed in the US.  The entire second half of their second album from '79 involves a performance where they yelled at the audience for a good thirty minutes because the audience were attacking them and throwing things at them.

Regardless of what the haters might think, this music video from 1981 is pretty awesome, and extremely creepy.  I am amazed it was ever played on MTV.

Also, check out this live clip: