Digital Poodle

Last updated
Digital Poodle
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Electro-industrial/EBM
Years active1986 (1986)–1995 (1995)
Past members
  • Heiki Sillaste
  • Pupka Frey
  • Reduct

Digital Poodle was an electro-industrial/EBM band, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 1986 and remained active until about 1995.

Contents

Background

Formed in 1986 by vocalist/programmer Heiki Sillaste (aka Mouth 392), the project was considered Toronto's answer to the established Vancouver-based industrial acts like Skinny Puppy, and Front Line Assembly. [1] Digital Poodle's sound can be best described as house/techno mixed with European Electronic body music (EBM) and occasionally skirting experimental and ambient soundscapes. Sillaste's lyrical themes and choice of audio sampling typically covered the ending of the Cold War, as well as the following political independence struggles in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. [2]

Digital Poodle originally released a series of cassette tape demos and full release albums on Sillaste's own Shadow recording label. The first CD release was "Work Terminal" in 1992, which was distributed in North America under the Death of Vinyl label and in Europe on Germany's Hyperium Records label. The band's final release was the "Combat!" EP in 1997, which contained mainly remixed material from previous releases.

Other Digital Poodle studio members have included keyboardists Pupka Frey (of the band D.I.N.) and Reduct. Keyboard players Jean-Claude Cutz and Dave Rout were also associated with the band. [3] Post Digital Poodle, both joined a later configuration of Rational Youth. Live shows of Digital Poodle featured the drummer/percussionists Kristian Helstrom and Andreas Gregor.

In 1995, Sillaste co-founded the Nice+Smooth Ultramedia label and has gone on to create 45 synthesizer-based albums and 120 compilation appearances. He has worked on other music projects in the genre of electronic dub, down beat, and house/techno music such as Kinder Atom and Lazer Caps, and is an accomplished graphic designer. He has also worked on music and sound for television shows such as CSI: Miami and commercials for Nissan. [4]

On July 15, 2022, Digital Poodle reunited for a one-off performance as part of the Bombshelter Records' 35th anniversary event. Original members Heiki Sillaste, Kristian Helstrom, Andreas Gregor, and Dave Rout took part in a 5 song set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4AQv0lsX8Q

Discography

AlbumFormatLabelYearNotes
Pay AttentionCSShadow1987
Poodle CrematoriumCSShadow1988Limited edition 250 copies
SnivelCSShadow1989
Live DeathCSShadow1990Recorded live at the Slither Club, Toronto, March 4, 1989
Soul CrushCSShadow1991
CDDeath of Vinyl Entertainment (DOVe)1991
Soul Crush 12"12"Shadow1991
Work TerminalCDDOVe, Hyperium Records1992Germany
Crack12"DOVe1993
Elektronik EspionageCD EPDOVe1993
Division!CDCleopatra1994
12" 2x12"DOVe1994
Work TerminalCDMetropolis Records1994reissue
NoiseaCDCleopatra1995
Combat!CD EPCleopatra1997

Compilation appearances

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References

  1. Digital Poodle's entry at Metropolis Records
  2. "Industrial Revolution", by Dave Thomas ISBN   0-9636193-0-6 (Cleopatra) (1994)
  3. Discogs, Profile of Digital Poodle. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  4. Heiki Sillaste's user profile on Nice+Smooth.com