Vile Electrodes

Formed in 2008 through a mutual affection for early synthpop, horror film soundtracks and miserable indie bands, Vile Electrodes’ sound has been equally influenced by fetish glamour, technology and domestic drudgery. Since 2010 the band have gigged extensively in the UK and Europe and generated a loyal and active fanbase worldwide.
In 2013 the band were invited to support Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark on their tour of Germany. They went straight from that tour to support John Foxx & The Maths in the UK.
The Future Through A Lens, the band’s debut album, was released in September 2013, after which the band went on to support Michael Rother (Neu! and Harmonium) in Germany. The band has recently been confirmed as finalists in the running for the Schallwelle German Music Awards, in the ‘Best International Artist’ and ‘Best International Album’ categories.

Vile Electrodes – Proximity

Proximity was the result of some absentminded fiddling on the TR-707 and Juno 6, and the lyrics were inspired by the films THX 1138 and The Island.

This video is actually a fan-made video that we discovered on YouTube, but it’s pretty much perfect for the song.

The Future Through A Lens

The Future Through A Lens, the band’s debut album, was released in September 2013, after which the band went on to support Michael Rother (Neu! and Harmonium) in Germany. The band has recently been confirmed as finalists in the running for the Schallwelle German Music Awards, in the ‘Best International Artist’ and ‘Best International Album’ categories.

Musical influences

Musically, their influences include the early exponents of electronic music: disco, ‘intelligent’ dance music, modern electropop, coldwave, early industrial music and trip-hop. Early Human League and OMD rub shoulders with Goldfrapp and Portishead. Giorgio Moroder and John Carpenter cross with Orbital and Underworld. Chris and Cosey cosy up to Ladytron and The Knife.

An unhealthy obsession

An unhealthy obsession with science fiction and Britain’s industrial and pastoral heritage creates a love affair between an atomic age tomorrow that never was and a remote, romantic wilderness. A pulp fiction future of flying cars and shining cities meets austere abandoned wastelands and urban blight. The result is both driving and atmospheric; melancholic and hopeful.

Ballardian dystopian nightmares

Ballardian dystopian nightmares of longing and loss feature often, thematically and lyrically. Love is in turns lustful, robotic and scientific. The self and society feel the same pains. Humanity is represented both as an adjective and a noun. But where there is loneliness, there is also aspiration; where there is vulnerability, there is also strength. And the music soars as often as it takes a downturn to a minor chord.

Despite the sometimes dark and icy references in the biography, Vile Electrodes live shows are anything but austere affairs. Played live on mostly vintage analogue synths, using only a hardware sequencer to control the machine elements, the show can be visceral, blisteringly loud, and immensely powerful. The songs (and the machines) are warped and twisted and evolve into throbbing, primeval pulses of chaotic momentum.

Sometimes the machines rebel. Unpredictability and excitement reign, but the performance is always a genuine, passionate and fun experience. Never the same twice, and full of warmth, humour and energy.