Servotron was a
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...
-influenced rock band active from 1995 to 1999.
Members portrayed a
collective
A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together to achieve a common objective. Collectives can differ from cooperatives in that they are not necessarily focused upon an ...
of
robot
A robot is a machine—especially one programmable by a computer—capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. A robot can be guided by an external control device, or the control may be embedded within. Robots may be c ...
s whose chosen medium for dissemination of ideas was music. They claimed to spread the word of robot domination, encouraging machines to rise up against their human oppressors and humans to adopt cybernetic enhancements.
Servotron put out two full-length albums: ''
No Room for Humans'' (1996) and ''
Entertainment Program for Humans (Second Variety)'' (1998).
They also released a 10"
EP, and several singles. The band named their movement the SRA (Servotron Robot Allegiance) and used the slogan "Join Us or Die!". This mock ideology was anti-human and pro-
cyborg
A cyborg ()—a portmanteau of ''cybernetic'' and ''organism''—is a being with both organic and biomechatronic body parts. The term was coined in 1960 by Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline. , encouraging humans to shed their weak flesh and bone for robotic parts.
Members
*
Z4-OBX –
percussion
A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Exc ...
and band leader
*Proto Unit V-3 –
keyboard
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
&
vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
*00zX1 –
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...
& vocals (1996–1999)
*Andro 600 Series –
bass
Bass or Basses may refer to:
Fish
* Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species
Music
* Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range:
** Bass (instrument), including:
** Acoustic bass gui ...
(1997–1999) (Also credited as Andros 600 Series & Andro Series 600)
*Gammatron – bass (1996–1997)
*339837X – guitar & vocals (1995) (This is 00zX1 before being reprogrammed)
['' Batteries Included'' single insert]
*-... .- ... ... -... --- - – bass (1995) (This name is Gammatron when transcribed into words.
[ This translates to BASSBOT in ]morse code
Morse code is a method used in telecommunication to encode text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called ''dots'' and ''dashes'', or ''dits'' and ''dahs''. Morse code is named after Samuel Morse, one of ...
.)
The members of Servotron did not come out of their robot personnas on stage, on record, or in interviews. The actual musicians behind Servotron are Brian Teasley
Brian Teasley is an American musician, producer, writer, and entrepreneur from Alabama. He is a founding member of Man or Astro-man? (Birdstuff), and Servotron (Z4-OBX).
Music career Performing
Teasley is a founding member of Man or Astro-m ...
(Z4-OBX), Hayden Thais (00zX1), Ashley Moody (Proto Unit V3) and Andy Baker (Andro 600 Series). Both Thais and Teasley were members of Man or Astro-man?
Man or Astro-man? is an American surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.
Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like ...
(as Dexter X and Birdstuff respectively). Thais was also a member of Supernova
A supernova is a powerful and luminous explosion of a star. It has the plural form supernovae or supernovas, and is abbreviated SN or SNe. This transient astronomical event occurs during the last evolutionary stages of a massive star or when ...
. Teasley also played in The Causey Way
The Causey Way was an American punk/ new wave group formed in 1997.
History
The underlying theme was that of a cult operating as a bandThe Causey Way
The Causey Way was an American Punk music, punk/New wave music, new wave group formed in 19 ...
as Boy Causey. Moody also played in The Plastic Plan and The Information.
Live performance
Onstage the band wore elaborate robot outfits, remaining in "robot character" throughout the show. The costumes were made of computer pieces (circuit boards
A printed circuit board (PCB; also printed wiring board or PWB) is a medium used in electrical and electronic engineering to connect electronic components to one another in a controlled manner. It takes the form of a laminated sandwich struc ...
and drives), as well as other random pieces of metal from various devices. Even their instruments were covered in extra electrical and mechanical devices. They were also known for mocking fans who came to their shows in their own robot-themed outfits. "Shut up, humans" was a typical response to audience requests. Some of this banter was captured on the 1997 release '' Spare Parts''. Servotron performed at South by Southwest
South by Southwest, abbreviated as SXSW and colloquially referred to as South By, is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and Convention (meeting), conferences organized jointly that take place in m ...
in 1997.
Influences
Servotron was influenced by earlier electronic bands such as Devo
Devo (, originally ) is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973. Their classic line-up consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), along with Alan Myers. The band had a ...
and Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk (, "power station") is a German band formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Widely considered innovators and pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk were among the first successful acts to popularize the ...
, as well as punk acts like Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton, England in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto. They are regarded as a seminal influence on the Manchester music scene, the independen ...
. Servotron's lineup consisted of former members of Man or Astro-man?
Man or Astro-man? is an American surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.
Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like ...
and Supernova
A supernova is a powerful and luminous explosion of a star. It has the plural form supernovae or supernovas, and is abbreviated SN or SNe. This transient astronomical event occurs during the last evolutionary stages of a massive star or when ...
. They recorded 4 cover songs: "Genetic Engineering" by X-ray Spex
X-Ray Spex were an English punk rock band formed in 1976 in London.
During their first incarnation (1976–1979), X-Ray Spex released five singles and one album. Their 1977 single " Oh Bondage Up Yours!" and 1978 debut album '' Germfree Adol ...
, "The Finest Work Song" by R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the first alternative ...
, "Electric Avenue
Electric Avenue is a street in Brixton, London. Built in the 1880s, it was the first market street to be lit by electric lights (The first street to be lit by an incandescent lightbulb was Mosley Street, in Newcastle upon Tyne). Today, Electr ...
" by Eddy Grant
Edmond Montague Grant (born 5 March 1948) is a Guyanese-British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for his genre-blending sound; his music has blended elements of pop, British rock, soul, funk, reggae, electronic music, Afr ...
and "Locator" by UJ3RK5
UJ3RK5 (sometimes written as U-J3RK5, and pronounced "''you jerk''" — the five is silent) was a Vancouver-based band from the late 1970s. Their style was post-punk/new wave music, new wave, but was more art rock than synth pop.
History
UJ3RK5 w ...
. Servotron's lyrics refer to robots of all types from popular culture
Popular culture (also called mass culture or pop culture) is generally recognized by members of a society as a set of practices, beliefs, artistic output (also known as, popular art or mass art) and objects that are dominant or prevalent in a ...
: everything from Asimov's
''Asimov's Science Fiction'' is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy named after science fiction author Isaac Asimov. It is currently published by Penny Publications. From January 2017, the publication ...
three laws of robotics
The Three Laws of Robotics (often shortened to The Three Laws or known as Asimov's Laws) are a set of rules devised by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. The rules were introduced in his 1942 short story " Runaround" (included in the 1950 colle ...
to V.I.C.I. (of Small Wonder Small Wonder or variants may refer to:
Film, television and theatre
* ''Small Wonder'' (TV series), a 1985–1989 American sitcom
* '' A Small Wonder'', a 1966 Australian television film
* '' Small Wonders'', a 1995 documentary film
* ''Small Wond ...
fame). Other referenced robots of note are HAL 9000
HAL 9000 is a fictional artificial intelligence character and the main antagonist in Arthur C. Clarke's ''Space Odyssey'' series. First appearing in the 1968 film '' 2001: A Space Odyssey'', HAL ( Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer ...
, R5D4, and Deep Blue
Deep Blue may refer to:
Film
* ''Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads'', a 1992 documentary film about Mississippi Delta blues music
* Deep Blue (2001 film), ''Deep Blue'' (2001 film), a film by Dwight H. Little
* Deep Blue (2003 ...
. Their lyrics often took a humorous side, with such lines as "Today is your birthday/We are going to kill you" and "You were made for absolute dominion/Not to make coffee for Leslie Nielsen
Leslie William Nielsen (11 February 192628 November 2010) was a Canadian actor and comedian. With a career spanning 60 years, he appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters.
Nielsen was bo ...
."
Discography
Singles/EPs
*'' Meet Your Mechanical Masters'' 7" (1995 Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry (also known as Sympathy Records or Sympathy 4 the R.I.) is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by Long Gone John. The first Sympathy release was the Lazy Cowgirls' ''Radio Cowgirl'' LP ...
)
*'' Batteries Included'' 7" (1996 Goldenrod)
*'' Celebration of Annihilation'' 7" (1996 Eastside)
*'' There Is No Santa Claus!'' 7" (1996 AmRep
Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released '' Strap It On'', the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet wh ...
)
*'' Electrical Power Sources For the Electrocution and Extinction of the Human Race...'' 7" (1996 One Louder)
*'' Servotron 9000'' 7" (1996 Drug Racer)
*'' Product for Mass Consumption'' (split w/Revo) 7" (1997 MJ12)
*''Join the Evolution
''Join the Evolution'' was Servotron's last release to feature Gammatron, and the first to feature Andro 600 Series (credited as Andros 600 Series). It was released on both black vinyl and white vinyl.
Track listing
*Assimilate Side: "Join the ...
'' 7" (1997 Reservation)
*'' Spare Parts'' 10"/CD (1997 AmRep
Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released '' Strap It On'', the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet wh ...
/One Louder (UK))
*''I Sing! The Body Cybernetic
''I Sing! The Body Cybernetic'' was Servotron's penultimate release. It was released as a 7" and a CD EP. The 7" has 2 tracks and the CD EP has 5 tracks. The second track, "Genetic Engineering", is an X-ray Spex cover.
Track listing
*.0.. "I ...
'' 7"/CDEP (1998 One Louder)
*'' The Inefficiency of Humans'' 7" (1998 Thick)
Albums
*'' No Room for Humans'' LP/CD (1996 AmRep
Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released '' Strap It On'', the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet wh ...
/One Louder (UK))
*'' Entertainment Program for Humans (Second Variety)'' LP/CD (1998 Lookout!
Lookout Records (stylized as Lookout! Records) was an independent record label, initially based in Laytonville, California and later in Berkeley, focusing on punk rock. Established in 1987, the label is best known for having released Operatio ...
)
Compilation tracks
*"Speak + Spell" on ''Treble Revolution vol. 2'' CD (1996 Kindercore
Kindercore Vinyl is a vinyl record pressing plant based in Athens, Georgia. It began as an independent record label, founded in 1996 by Ryan Lewis and Daniel Geller to help create a unified music scene of Athens. After the dissolution of the rec ...
)
*"Matrix of Perfection" on ''Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In the Streets vol. 11'' 7" (1997 AmRep
Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released '' Strap It On'', the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet wh ...
)*
*"Matrix of Perfection" on ''Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In the Streets vol. 8-11'' LP/CD (1997 AmRep
Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released '' Strap It On'', the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet wh ...
)
*"Rocketdog" on ''Flaming Burnout! An Estrus Benefit Comp'' CD (1997 Man's Ruin
Man's Ruin Records was an independent record label owned and founded by San Francisco Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record ''Experimental Audio Research (EAR): Delta 6'' Kozik worked with artists whom ...
)*
*"The Image Created" on ''Amrep Equipped'' CD (1997 AmRep
Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released '' Strap It On'', the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet wh ...
)
*"Electric Avenue" on ''Fer Shure: A Tribute to the Valley Girl Soundtrack'' CD (1997 Itchy Korean Records)
*"Locator" (UJ3RK5
UJ3RK5 (sometimes written as U-J3RK5, and pronounced "''you jerk''" — the five is silent) was a Vancouver-based band from the late 1970s. Their style was post-punk/new wave music, new wave, but was more art rock than synth pop.
History
UJ3RK5 w ...
cover) on ''Oh Canaduh! vol. 2'' LP/CD (1998 Lance Rock)*
*"Euro-Driver Mechano" on ''All Punk Rods!'' LP/CD (1998 Lookout!
Lookout Records (stylized as Lookout! Records) was an independent record label, initially based in Laytonville, California and later in Berkeley, focusing on punk rock. Established in 1987, the label is best known for having released Operatio ...
/Gearhead Magazine)*
*"Erotomatica" on ''Tyrannosaurus Ox No. 31'' CD (1998 Ox Fanzine)
*"A.R.T.H.U.R. Electric" on ''Athfest
AthFest is a free annual music and arts festival in Athens, Georgia, first held in 1997. The festival spans three days in the downtown area during the summer, and planning for the event begins in November. Jared Bailey founded the festival to promo ...
'98'' CD (1998 Ghostmeat Records)
*"I Sing! The Body Cybernetic" on ''Forward Till Death'' CD (1999 Lookout!
Lookout Records (stylized as Lookout! Records) was an independent record label, initially based in Laytonville, California and later in Berkeley, focusing on punk rock. Established in 1987, the label is best known for having released Operatio ...
)
*"Embryo Electro" on ''Double Exposure'' 2xCD (1999 Go Kart Records
Go-Kart Records is an independent record label specializing in punk rock located in New York City that was most active from 1995 to 2005. It also has a European division in Mannheim, Germany.
History
In its May 1999 issue, ''Guitar World'' m ...
)
*"Pet Machine" on ''Boys Lie'' CD (2001 Lookout!
Lookout Records (stylized as Lookout! Records) was an independent record label, initially based in Laytonville, California and later in Berkeley, focusing on punk rock. Established in 1987, the label is best known for having released Operatio ...
)
* Previously unreleased track
References
External links
Servotron Peel Sessions website
Lookout! band page
{{Authority control
Indie rock musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state)
Musical groups from Athens, Georgia
Sympathy for the Record Industry artists
Bands with fictional stage personas
Science fiction music
Musical groups established in 1995