Testube

Last updated

Testube
Origin Colorado, United States
Genres
Years active1994–present
Labels
  • United Endangered Front
  • DSBP
  • Glim
Spinoffs
  • Danos
  • Marble I/Orchard
Spinoff of
  • Wrack Process
MembersJeff Danos
Past membersBryan Elsloo
Website testube.com

Testube is an American solo electronic music project, founded in 1994 by Jeff Danos (born May 9, 1976). His music spans multiple subgenres of electronic music, including Industrial, Glitch, Experimental, IDM, Electroclash, Darkwave, Ambient, Synthpop and EBM. [1] [2]

Contents

History

Testube began in 1994 as a tribal-influenced experimental electronic side-project of the early 1990s Industrial music group Wrack Process. The earliest recordings occurred in 1994–1995 and featured musical contributions from Jeff Danos and Bryan Elsloo. From these early recordings, the two musicians released a self-titled Testube cassette in March 1996 on UEF Records. [3] Following the dissolution of Wrack Process later that year, co-founder Jeff Danos briefly produced solo material under the monikers "Danos" and "Marble I/Orchard". By April 1997, Jeff had re-assumed the Testube moniker for his solo music project. Testube originated in Englewood, Colorado and relocated to Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 2006. [4]

In 2011, Testube released a cover version of Pixies track "Wave of Mutilation" to raise charity donations for the Japanese Red Cross Society in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. [5]

In October 2021, Testube released a new song and video titled "Themself" as a charity fundraiser for Cyndi Lauper's True Colors United organization. [6]

Music charts

Reconstructive Surgery, an album of Testube songs remixed by Danos and other artists, appeared on the CMJ national RPM top-20 charts for six weeks in the Autumn of 2000, peaking at the number 4 chart position that September. [7]

Critical response

Australian journal Blatant Propaganda praised Testube's Bioplaza album for its "gothic-medieval melodies and dreamy electronic-body-music". [8] Chain D.L.K. website reviewed Corporation album stating it is "not for the timid or pop oriented, yet still fully functional on the dancefloor!" [1] Regarding Testube's Off-Purpose album, UK-based Sphere Magazine wrote "this collection has personality that cannot be turned off or even ignored." [9] StarVox Webzine proclaimed "Testube are an anomaly. Brilliant beyond measure, and yet criminally overlooked... How does this work, people? How is it that Testube isn't spoken of with the same reverence as Skinny Puppy? The material is that good, let me assure you." [10]

Remixing

Jeff Danos has remixed other electronic music groups, including Torrent Vaccine, Destroid, Ptyl, I,Parasite, Skin Contact, Pain Station, Burikusu!!!, Thine Eyes, Left Spine Down, the Unter Null side-project Stray, Diverje, B! Machine, Monstrum Sepsis, Paranoid Axis, Biopsy, White Trash Compactor, Leæther Strip (for the single Carry Me) and works by fellow Glim Records recording artist LowHero DLL. [3] Jeff's audio post-production is often credited as a Testube "remix" or "treatment". [3]

Live performance

Testube rarely plays in a live context, as it is primarily a studio music project. However, there have been a handful of live performances, the first of which was in 1996 at Cafe Euphrates in Denver, CO. Albuquerque, NM is the only other city to host live shows with Testube.

Film composing

Jeff Danos has contributed original music to motion picture soundtracks, including the cult film Sleeping Pills and the short film Refraction. [11] [12]

Record labels

Testube has been associated with UEF (United Endangered Front) Records (1996–1998), DSBP Records (1999–2007), [4] [13] and Glim Records (starting in 2008).

Discography

Below is a partial Testube discography:

Release TitleArtistRecords LabelFormat(s)Release DateNotes
Off PurposeTestubeGlim RecordsCD, digital downloadMay 2010 [14]
TreatmentsVarious ArtistsGlim RecordsCDSep 2009
CovertTestubeGlim RecordsCDJul 2008
RefractionTestubeClandestCINE Films 35mm, DVDOct 2007short film
Sleeping Pills Jeff DanosKinotonik Pictures 35mm, DVDDec 2003feature film
CorporationTestubeDSBP RecordsCDSep 2003
Bioplaza RevisitedTestubeDSBP RecordsCDNov 2000
Daisypusher EPMarble I/OrchardMP3.comCD, digital downloadAug 2000
Carry Me (Testube remix) Leæther Strip Metropolis Records CD SingleMay 2000remix
Carry Me (Testube remix) Leæther Strip Bloodline Records CD SingleMar 2000remix
Reconstructive SurgeryTestubeDSBP RecordsCDMay 2000reached No. 4 on CMJ RPM chart
BioplazaTestubeSelf ReleasedCDMay 1999
Circuit Noir Vol. 2Various ArtistsUEF RecordsCDFeb 1999
Vertigo GrimTestubeUEF RecordsCD-RSep 1998
PreyerTestubePromoCD-RApr 1998Promo Only
Circuit Noir Vol. 1Various ArtistsUEF RecordsCDFeb 1998
Post-ApocalypseTestubeUEF RecordsCD-RFeb 1998
Usable Frequency ResponseTestubeUEF RecordsCD-R, MiniDisc, CassetteJul 1997
Second SoulTestubeUEF RecordsCD-R, MiniDisc, CassetteApr 1997
SoulDanosPromoCassetteNov 1996Promo Only

References

  1. 1 2 Mondalf, TG (October 13, 2003). "Testube: Corporation". Chain D.L.K. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ Testube at Last.fm
  3. 1 2 3 "Testube Discography". Testube.com. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Testube Biography". Testube.com. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Testube cover classic Pixies track for charity, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross Society". Soundsphere Magazine. March 17, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  6. ↑ Van Isacker, Bernard (October 16, 2021). "Testube launches charity single 'Themself' to support True Colors United and improve the lives of homeless LGBTIQ+ youth". Side-Line. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  7. ↑ "RPM Charts" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. 64 (683): 26. September 18, 2000. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Testube: Bioplaza". Blatant Propaganda. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  9. ↑ "CD Review: Testube – 'Off Purpose'". Soundsphere Magazine. May 7, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Testube: Bioplaza/Reconstructive Surgery". StarVox Music Magazine. December 2000. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  11. ↑ Van Isacker, Bernard (February 8, 2008). "Testube scores music for 'Refraction' movie". Side-Line. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  12. ↑ Refraction at IMDb
  13. ↑ Van Isacker, Bernard (August 8, 2007). "Testube finally plans new material". Side-Line. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Testube album 'Off Purpose' out now on Glim Records". Side-Line. May 24, 2010. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
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