RIO Drop-In Centre

 

Hello,

Belgian chamber rock group and original Rock in Opposition member Univers Zero will headline the Sunday portion of FMPM 2008. Formed in the mid-1970s by drummer and leader Daniel Denis, Univers Zero has undergone several transformations during its existence, from dark acoustic chamber music inspired by B�la Bart�k and H.P. Lovecraft, to a more electronic sound with use of synthesizers in the 1980s, and finally a more melodic, refined chamber-rock for the new Millennium. The ten CD releases that catalogue these three periods are acclaimed by followers of new music and Univers Zero have influenced countless other groups being practically the blueprint for chamber-rock. After avoiding live performance for decades, the modern incarnation of Univers Zero embraced it, with powerful appearances at festivals in Europe and a headlining performance at NEARFest 2004. Their first ever live album was released on Cuneiform Records in 2006, and their first album "1313" is to be reissued by Cuneiform in mid-2008. The current line-up of Univers Zero features Daniel Denis (drums), Michel Berckmans (woodwinds), Andy Kirk (keyboards and guitar), Martin Lauwers (violin), Eric Plantain (bass), and Kurt Bud� (clarinet, sax). Univers Zero is currently working on a new studio album.

More information about Univers Zero: http://www.univers-zero.com/

The third edition of the FMPM takes place September 13 and 14, 2008. For more information about the FMPM please visit our web-site at www.fmpm.net

Regards,
Sean

 

 

 

And also look at that:

 

 

 

Another website that will interest some people here:

Deep Freeze Mice & related.

 

 

MoonJune Records announces the first studio album of the funambolic Belgians
THE WRONG OBJECT
"Stories From The Shed"
http://www.moonjune.com/MJR018.htm
(check above link for audio clip and more info)

Belgian heavy avant-prog-jazz-rock combo The Wrong Object returns with a brand new studio release of their trademark instrumentation and sonic landscapes. Laden with a full load of heavy and volcanic Frippesque tinted guitar riffs, extravagant jazz themes and electronic sounds, this CD marks a return to the rockier and densely overdriven stance that characterized the band's earlier productions. The sheer sonic texture of this album is driven by a combination of tight progrock sequences alternating with more open, freely improvised material. This explosive package consists of a solid, pulsing rhythm section capable of performing with versatility in any situation, aggressive guitar riffs and solos, unusual guitar-synth soundscapes, and fuzz bass guitar laced with a fiery horn duet. With influences ranging from Zappa's whimsical complexities to Squarepusher's glitchy electronics, "Stories from the Shed" will surprise prog rock fans and modern jazz aficcionados alike with its genre-defying compositions, eclectic jam improvisations and intricate arrangements. Eclectic band for fans of Frank Zappa, Soft Machine, Primus, King Crimson, Nucleus, Praxis, Aka Moon, Universe Zero and jazz-oriented jam-band scene.

"The Wrong Object has built a reputation for its astute interpretation of the music of Frank Zappa, but its members are strong and idiosyncratic composers in their own right. They're also intrepid improvisers who combine an appreciation of the jazz vernacular with a more aggressive rock stance." — All About Jazz, USA

"An amazing band performing surprisingly cohesive set of structured Zappaesque improv-jazz-avant-prog-rock. Truly on fire!
— Exposé Magazine, USA

 

Check their related release Elton Dean & The Wrong Object “The Unbelievable Truth”

 

 

Artist Profile:

Blending psychedelic jazz with modern rock sensibilities, the music of The Wrong Object is influenced by a vast array of artists ranging from Canterbury Scene prog-jazz-rock à la Soft Machine, Nucleus and Gong to Béla Bartok, Aka Moon, Charlie Mingus and Frank Zappa. While their repertoire contains mainly original compositions, they also play a special set of Zappa covers on demand. Since its creation in early 2002, The Wrong Object has played almost eighty concerts in various venues ranging from small pubs to big festivals. Some of them were augmented by guest performances by the likes of Ed Mann (of Frank Zappa hall of fame), Elton Dean (legendary Soft Machine and British jazz icon), Harry Beckett (British jazz legend), Annie Whitehead (who often plays and records with Robert Wyatt), Alex Maguire (of Hatfield & The North), Robin Verheyen, Marc Mangen, Domguè, Marco Maurizi, Nicolas Ankoudinoff, Clementine Gasser, Frogg Café, Jaap Blonk, and pataphysician-poet-vocalist Andrew Norris, whose work with the band culminated in a show held at the Galerie 2016 in Brussels on the occasion of Serge Vandercam's 79th birthday. After a successful mini-tour of the UK, they performed at the 2004 “Zappanale” festival where they played a special gig featuring Zappa's legendary percussionist Ed Mann, with whom they also hope to play a few more dates soon. The Wrong Object have since then played in many different countries (including England, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, , Slovakia, Luxembourg and even in their own country Belgium) and their live recordings have been favorably reviewed and aired by radio stations across the globe. They will continue to perform in pubs, clubs and theaters next year and will play Summer festivals abroad. Their side projects “Elton Dean Meets The Wrong Object” and “The Wrong Object feat. Annie Whitehead and Harry Beckett” were documented by two CD releases issued by Moonjune Records and Voiceprint. “Storied From The Shed”, being released on MoonJune records in February 2008, is the band’s first studio album.
Band websites: www.wrongobject.com www.myspace.com/wrongobject