terça-feira, 28 de dezembro de 2004

RECORDAÇÃO - BLASTED MECHANISM


Blasted Mechanism are one of the greatest live music revelations in recent years in Portuguese alternative pop music. Leaded by three look-a-like George Lucas «Star Wars» characters – Valdjiu (guitar, gittler and bambuleco – an 8 string masterpiece self-created that blends the guitar / bass performances), Karkov (lead vocals and Karkovian – a very particular language created by himself) and Ary (bass and sound effects), Blasted Mechanism formerly appeared in 1994 in Lisbon, Portugal. Playing with this «movie trio» are Fred Stone (a very smooth Brazilian drummer) and Luis Simões (the head behind the band Saturnia, who worked in earlier ti mes at Blasted Mechanism’s remixed album - «MIX 00» - now playing live: guitar, electric sitar and sound effects).
Since the beginning their music was different, something like a rough-hewn fusion of the outer edges of contemporary electronic pop and global dance-floor grooves, blended with raw rock riffs. Acclaimed by Portuguese music media, their music freshness is frequently compared to creative Artists as Beck, Talvin Singh, Femi Kuti, and Goran Bregovic. Someone even wrote that Blasted Mechanism’s music would be perfect to fit in any Emir Kusturika movie.
But if Blasted Mechanism’s music is surprising, what could we say about their shows? Marked by elaborate, extravagant costumes, their theatrical, attention-grabbing image is a trade mark that originated the buzz around the band’s music and permitted Blasted Mechanism to gradually build an audience through near-constant touring, working their way up to the Portuguese Summer Festivals in 1996 and 1997, which really expanded their audience. Their live shows are as surprising as irresistible, and the band performs with such energy that the crowd just loves to be there, jumping and dancing. Since 1996 Blasted Mechanism billed all the major Festivals in Portugal (Festival do Sudoeste 1997 & 2002, Festival de Paredes de Coura 1997, Festival Super Bock Super Rock 1998, Festival do Ermal 2001, Festival de Celorico de Basto 2001, Festival Imperial ao Vivo 1998, Festival do Tejo 2001 & 2002, Festival Noites Ritual Rock 2001) sharing the stage with major acts such as Beck, Moby, Rage Against the Machine, Marilyn Manson, Cure, Nick Cave, Muse, Sofa Surfers, Cinematic Orchestra, amongst others.Besides this, year after year they headline the most important Student Festivals in Portugal (Coimbra, Porto, Lisboa, Faro) playing for more than 30.000 people attendance in each one of them.
Blasted Mechanism’s record release career is also very prolific. In 1996 the band self-releases «Blasted Mechanism EP», a three-song piece with the band’s first radio hit «Swinging with the monkeys». Included in this EP could also be found the most exciting and preferred song played at live shows - «The Atom Bride Theme» - a tribal masterpiece with raw guitars and furious groove dance beats.This EP caught the attention of the Media and also of the Portuguese Independent Label Música Alternativa, which signed Blasted Mechanism in 1997, immediately releasing «Balayashi», an EP with 5 songs, that included the 3 songs from the debut EP, plus 2 new tracks.
1998 puts Blasted Mechanism together with Mário Caldato Junior, well-known producer from the Beastie Boys. He produces «Tejo Beat» - a compilation with several Portuguese emerging talents.
Finally, in 1999, Marsten Bailey produces «Plasma», the debut Album from Blasted Mechanism. Here, the real Talent of the Band can be found in 10 new tracks. Leading the airplay charts as well as the crowd at the shows «Karkov» is the power-song. World dance music with some Goran Bregovic style.
Year 2000. New costumes – more futuristic. A new show – more extravagant than before. A new record – remixes from «Plasma». The name «Mix 00». «Swinging with the monkeys», «The atom bride theme» and «Karkov» remixes jump over the charts. Success. More than 100 shows in the «Mix 00 Tour». Portugal is becoming too small for Blasted Mechanism. The crowd gets overwhelmed with the Band. Sold-out venues all over the country. “We want to go out of bounds” - they say.
2002 will bring them what they asked for – the international debut show at London’s Cargo in November is the first step for their dream – get international, take Europe with Blasted Mechanism’s powerful music and image. At Cargo they smash the crowd at an unexpected sold out venue.
2003 is the key. A new Album - «Namaste» - hopefully released all over Europe. A tour in the Netherlands in January – including a showcase at the «Eurosonic 2003» in Groningen, broadcasted by radio to several countries over Europe. And finally, in September / October the first European Tour, in Clubs and, with some luck, Festivals. «Namaste» will be available at Portuguese stores on March 10th 2003.
Blasted Mechanism is now more than a Band’s name. Is a way of living. More than 15 diferent musicians played at the Band’s shows and records. Most part of them have now promising projects in Portugal.
When you read this you’ll have just a small idea of what Blasted Mechanism are. Try to find them in a venue close to you and get ready for a wild night. A raw and wild night. Dancing.

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