Jump to content

Lemon Demon: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Fixed typo
Tags: Reverted Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Updated short description
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit Android app edit App description change
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
⚫
{{Short description|American geek rock band}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2022}}
⚫
{{Short description|American pop rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = April 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
Line 6: Line 5:
| name = Lemon Demon
| name = Lemon Demon
| image = Lemon Demon.jpg
| image = Lemon Demon.jpg
| caption = Lemon Demon performing in July 2006 at Lemonic Demonade
| caption = Lemon Demon performing in 2006
| image_size = 300px
| landscape = yes
| alias = {{flatlist|
| alias = {{flatlist|
* Trapezoid
* Trapezoid
Line 14: Line 13:
| origin = [[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| origin = [[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Pop rock]]
⚫
* [[Pop rock]]<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lemon-demon-mn0003803356|title=Lemon Demon|access-date=February 13, 2021|via=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
* [[alternative rock]]<ref name=allmusic/>
* [[alternative rock]]
* [[synth punk]]<ref name=allmusic/>
* [[synth-pop]]
* [[synth punk]]
* [[New wave music|new wave]]<ref name=allmusic/>
* [[geek rock]]<ref
* [[New wave music|new wave]]
⚫
* [[geek rock]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lemon-demon-mn0003803356|title=Lemon Demon|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref>
name=allmusic/>
}}
}}
| years_active = 2003–present
| years_active = 2003–present
Line 29: Line 28:
| website = {{URL|lemondemon.com}}
| website = {{URL|lemondemon.com}}
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| current_members = * [[Neil Cicierega]]<!-- Note that Professor iPod is a literal iPod and therefore is an instrument, not a member. -->
| current_members = * [[Neil Cicierega]]
* (see [[#Members|live members]])
* (see [[#Members|live members]])
}}
}}


'''Lemon Demon''' is a musical project and band created by American serial killer and psychopath [[Neil Cicierega]] in 2003 in [[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]]. Most Lemon Demon music is performed solely by Cicierega, who is the project's sole official member, but a full band is usually assembled for live performances. Cicierega previously released instrumental music and several remixes of video game music under the monikers "Trapezoid" and "Deporitaz" in the late 90s and early 2000s, whilst frequently active on [[Adventure Game Studio]].
'''Lemon Demon''' is a musical project and band created by American comedian and musician [[Neil Cicierega]] in 2003 in [[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]]. Lemon Demon's studio work is performed solely by Cicierega, who is the project's sole official member. Live performances also include a backing band, with previous performances consisting of Alora Lanzillotta, Charles Sergio, Anthony Wry, Dave Kitsberg, and Greg Lanzillotta. As of 2024, Lemon Demon has released [[#Discography|seven studio albums and five EPs]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Neil Cicierega 2006-07-30.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Cicierega wearing a Trapezoid [[name tag]] over a Lemon Demon shirt in 2006]]Neil Cicierega began releasing instrumental music and several remixes of video game music under the moniker Trapezoid in the late 90s and early 2000s, creating 3 albums whilst frequently active on [[Adventure Game Studio]].<ref name="XOXO">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB7fqT1uAII|title=Neil Cicierega, Internet Person – XOXO Festival (2016)|medium=[[YouTube]] video|publisher=XOXO Festival|date=November 17, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206172904/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB7fqT1uAII|archive-date=February 6, 2017|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref> The artist name was retroactively [[anagram]]med to "Deporitaz" as [[Trapezoid (band)|an existing band called Trapezoid]] demanded that he change it.<ref name="AudioPhix">{{cite web |last=Becker|first=Sarah|url=https://audiophix.com/posts/timeline-lemon-demon-nature-tapes-01hvcqsc2bq4|title=Timeline of Lemon Demon's 'Nature Tapes'|website=[[FanSided|AudioPhix]]|language=en|date=April 16, 2024|accessdate=April 16, 2024}}</ref> On January 21, 2003, Cicierega released Lemon Demon's first song, "Don't Be Like the Sun", later saying "eventually I started experimenting with singing, and once I felt ready to do that full time, I christened myself Lemon Demon and went into it head on".<ref name="Globe">{{cite web |last=Sweeney|first=Emily|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/media/articles/2006/06/22/hes_a_hit_with_internet_set/|title=He's a hit with Internet set|website=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=June 22, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626051314/http://www.boston.com:80/ae/media/articles/2006/06/22/hes_a_hit_with_internet_set/|archive-date=June 26, 2006|accessdate=November 12, 2023}}</ref> He then released his first four albums: ''Clown Circus'' (2003), ''Live from the Haunted Candle Shop'' (2003), ''Hip to the Javabean'' (2004), and ''Damn Skippy'' (2005).<ref name="XOXO"/>
Neil Cicierega released three instrumental albums under the name "Trapezoid," which was changed retroactively to "Deporitaz" as [[Trapezoid (band)|an existing band called Trapezoid]] demanded that he change it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cicierega |first1=Neil |url=https://trapezzoid.livejournal.com/168035.html |title=Circa 2000}}</ref> On the change to Lemon Demon, he said: "Eventually I started experimenting with singing, and once I felt ready to do that full time, I christened myself Lemon Demon and went into it head on."<ref name="Globe" />


Since 2003, Cicierega has released seven full-length albums as Lemon Demon.<ref name="Globe">{{Cite news|author=Sweeney|first=Emily|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/06/22/hes_a_hit_with_internet_set/|title=He's a hit with Internet set|date=June 22, 2006|newspaper=Boston.com|access-date=2020-04-03|url-status=live|publisher=Boston Globe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001839/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/06/22/hes_a_hit_with_internet_set/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> In 2005, he and animator Shawn Vulliez released a Flash animated music video called "[[The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny]]" on [[Newgrounds]]. This had over 12 million views on Newgrounds as well as topping the "Funny Five" on ''The [[Dr. Demento]] Show'' for several weeks and becoming the No. 1 Request for 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dr. Demento - Streaming|url=https://www.drdemento.com/online.html?c=2006&s=s|access-date=2020-12-24}}</ref> The song was later included in the 2006 album ''[[Dinosaurchestra]]''. In April 2009, Cicierega released his first four albums as free downloads on his website.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Index of /Lemon Demon – First four albums|url=http://www.lemondemon.com/Lemon%20Demon%20-%20First%20four%20albums/|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.lemondemon.com}}</ref> An updated recording of "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" was released to the [[Rock Band Network]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Lemon+Demon |title=Lemon Demon on Rock Band Network |access-date=2011-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715194151/http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Lemon+Demon |archive-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In late 2005, Cicierega and animator Shawn Vulliez released a [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] animated music video for Lemon Demon's "[[The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny]]".<ref name="Dayton">{{cite web |last=Rini|first=Carol|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/56572956/dayton-daily-news/|title="Good guys, bad guys and explosions..."|website=[[Dayton Daily News]]|date=April 11, 2006 |accessdate=November 12, 2023}}</ref> The video amassed over 6.5 million views in 6 months on [[Newgrounds]] and topped the "Funny Five" on ''The [[Dr. Demento]] Show'' for several weeks, becoming the No. 1 Request for 2006.<ref name="Globe"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Hansen|first=Barret|url=https://drdemento.com/online.html?i=DDS0627|title="The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" (the show's #1 song of 2006 thus far)|website=[[Dr. Demento]]|date=July 2, 2006|accessdate=November 12, 2023}}</ref> The song was later included in Lemon Demon's fifth album ''[[Dinosaurchestra]]'' (2006).<ref name="Bandcamp">{{cite web |last=Cohen|first=Max|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/lemon-demon-dinosaurchestra-feature|title=Lemon Demon: The Man, The Meme, The Legend|website=[[Bandcamp]]|date=February 16, 2022|accessdate=November 12, 2023}}</ref> An updated recording of it was released to the [[Rock Band Network]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Lemon+Demon |title=Lemon Demon on Rock Band Network |access-date=2011-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715194151/http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Lemon+Demon |archive-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lemon Demon's sixth studio album, ''View-Monster'' (2008),<ref>{{cite web |author=The Collegian|url=https://tucollegian.org/spirit-phone-shows-lemon-demons-growth/|title="Spirit Phone" shows Lemon Demon's growth|website=[[University of Tulsa|The Collegian]]|language=en|date=March 7, 2016|accessdate=January 30, 2024}}</ref> features "Modify" as a bonus track, which later became a popular song on [[TikTok]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gray|first=Laura|url=https://www.gamepur.com/guides/roblox-music-codes-for-tiktok-songs|title=Roblox music codes for TikTok songs (November 2022)|website=Gamepur|language=en|date=October 31, 2022|accessdate=April 6, 2024}}</ref> A remix of [[the Beatles]]' "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]" is additionally included as a bonus track on the album.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LDUuIm74pdMC|title=The Beatles|publisher=Pedia Press|language=en}} p. 1334.</ref> Another notable track from ''View-Monster'' is ''Bill Watterson'',<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/3500065-Lemon-Demon-View-Monster</ref> about a fan obsessing over comic artist [[Bill Watterson]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/enwiki/w/watterson.htm|title=Bill Watterson|website=lambiek.net|access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>


On January 2016, Cicierega announced ''[[Spirit Phone]]'', a full-length Lemon Demon album which was released on February 29, 2016.<ref name="Cicierega">{{Cite web|url=http://neilblr.com/post/137705396948|title=Neil Cicierega Tumblr. {{!}} NEW LEMON DEMON ALBUM "SPIRIT PHONE" CALLING...|last=Cicierega|first=Neil|date=January 20, 2016|website=neilblr.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614115215/https://neilblr.com/post/137705396948|archive-date=June 14, 2019|access-date=2016-01-21}}</ref> The album was the No. 1 best-selling album on Bandcamp for the first week of its release.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Lemon Demon|url=https://lemondemon.bandcamp.com/|access-date=2020-08-24|website=Lemon Demon}}</ref><ref name="Bandcamp">{{Cite web|url=http://bandcamp.com/|title=Bandcamp|date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042944/http://bandcamp.com/|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-03-11}}</ref> On July 10, 2018, it was announced that copies of the album on CD, cassette, and vinyl would be sold through [[Needlejuice Records]], who would later distribute remastered versions of Lemon Demon's EPs ''I Am Become Christmas''<ref name="needlejuicerecords.com">{{Cite web|url=https://needlejuicerecords.com/black-friday-sales-lemon-demons-i-am-become-christmas-out-now/|title=BLACK FRIDAY SALES! Lemon Demon's I Am Become Christmas OUT NOW!|accessdate=June 20, 2023}}</ref> and ''[[Nature Tapes]]''<ref name="Preorder Lemon Demon's Nature Tapes">{{Cite web|url=https://needlejuicerecords.com/pre-order-lemon-demons-nature-tapes/|title=Preorder Lemon Demon's Nature Tapes|accessdate=June 20, 2023}}</ref>'','' along with his albums ''View-Monster'',<ref name="Lemon Demon - View-Monster">{{Cite web|url=https://needlejuicerecords.com/lemon-demon-view-monster/|title=Lemon Demon – View-Monster|accessdate=June 20, 2023}}</ref> ''[[Dinosaurchestra]]'',<ref name="Dinosaurchestra and Spirit Phone Pre-Orders">{{Cite web|url=https://needlejuicerecords.com/dinosaurchestra-and-spirit-phone-pre-orders/|title=Dinosaurchestra and Spirit Phone Pre-Orders|accessdate=June 20, 2023}}</ref> ''Damn Skippy'', and ''Hip to the Javabean''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=weirdojace |date=2023-01-24 |title=LEMON DEMON's 20th ANNIVERSARY! |url=https://needlejuicerecords.com/lemon-demons-20th-anniversary/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Needlejuice Records |language=en-US}}</ref> "Touch-Tone Telephone" became Lemon Demon's most-played song, the first to surpass "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" and, as of July 2023, has garnered over 60 million plays on [[Spotify]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lemon Demon's Spotify page|website=[[Spotify]] |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/4llAOeA6kEF4ytaB2fsmcW}}</ref>
Cicierega released ''[[Spirit Phone]]'' as Lemon Demon's seventh studio album on February 29, 2016.<ref name="XOXO"/> The album was the No. 1 best-selling album on Bandcamp for the first week of its release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bandcamp.com/|title=Bandcamp|date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042944/http://bandcamp.com/|archive-date=March 6, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref> On July 10, 2018, it was announced that copies of the album on CD, cassette, and vinyl would be sold through [[Needlejuice Records]], who would later physically distribute remastered versions of all of Lemon Demon's studio work dating back to 2005.<ref name="Bandcamp"/> "[[Touch-Tone Telephone]]" later became Lemon Demon's most-streamed song, surpassing "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" in September 2020. This was then surpassed by "Fine" in July 2024, which had garnered over 75 million streams on [[Spotify]] at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/4llAOeA6kEF4ytaB2fsmcW|title=Lemon Demon {{!}} Spotify|website=[[Spotify]]|access-date=July 27, 2024}}</ref>


On June 19, 2020, Needlejuice Records released ''Needlejustice'', a charity compilation album featuring 22 songs from artists they represent (including Lemon Demon) for the benefit of the [[NAACP Legal Defense Fund]]. Cicierega contributed a song to the album titled "Funkytown", which had originally been uploaded to his [[Patreon]] page in 2017. It features homages to popular songs from the 1970s and 1980s, including the titular "[[Funkytown]]" by [[Lipps Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Needlejustice, by Various Artists|url=https://needlejuice.bandcamp.com/album/needlejustice|access-date=2020-08-24|website=Needlejuice Records}}</ref>
Cicierega uploaded the song "Funkytown" to his [[Patreon]] page in 2017, later contributing it to the 2020 charity compilation album ''Needlejustice'', which benefits the [[NAACP Legal Defense Fund]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://needlejuice.bandcamp.com/album/needlejustice|title=Needlejustice {{!}} Various Artists|publisher=[[Needlejuice Records]]|website=[[Bandcamp]]|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> It would later be released as an official single alongside "One Weird Tip" on January 21, 2023.<ref name="AudioPhix"/>


==Viral successes==
==Viral successes==
Line 48: Line 47:
{{main|The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny}}
{{main|The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny}}


On December 22, 2005, Lemon Demon and animator Shawn Vulliez released the Flash [[music video]] "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" on [[Newgrounds]]. The video features cartoon versions of dozens of real-life celebrities and fictional characters, largely from 1980s and 1990s [[pop culture]], in a large century-long brawl where "...only one will survive."<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/1108664581.html?dids=1108664581:1108664581&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+26%2C+2006&author=Shauna+Rempel&pub=Toronto+Star&edition=&startpage=H.3&desc=Copy%2C+paste%2C+animate|title=Copy, paste, animate|publisher=The [[Toronto Star]]|access-date=April 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507104737/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/1108664581.html?dids=1108664581:1108664581&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+26%2C+2006&author=Shauna+Rempel&pub=Toronto+Star&edition=&startpage=H.3&desc=Copy%2C+paste%2C+animate|archive-date=May 7, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> It gained a [[cult following]] among web enthusiasts.<ref name="auto"/> and became the "user's choice" on December 28, 2005, on [[Newgrounds]] where it has been viewed over 13.1 million times.<ref>{{citation|publisher=Boston Globe|date=June 22, 2006|title=He's a hit with Internet set|author=Emily Sweeney}}</ref> It appeared on several other websites including [[Albino Blacksheep]].<ref>{{citation|publisher=Dayton Daily News|date=April 11, 2006|title=Seen & Overheard|author=Bob Batz}}</ref>
On December 22, 2005, Lemon Demon and animator Shawn Vulliez released the Flash [[music video]] "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" on [[Newgrounds]]. The video features cartoon versions of dozens of real-life celebrities and fictional characters, largely from 1980s and 1990s [[pop culture]], in a large century-long brawl.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rempel|first=Shauna|url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20060826/283510791421587|title=Copy, paste, animate|website=[[Toronto Star]]|date=August 26, 2006|accessdate=January 30, 2024}}</ref> It gained a [[cult following]] among web enthusiasts and became the "user's choice" on December 28, 2005, accumulating 6.5 million views within 6 months.<ref name="Globe"/> It appeared on several other websites including [[Albino Blacksheep]].<ref name="Dayton"/>


=== "Brodyquest" ===
==="Brodyquest"===
On June 1, 2010, Cicierega released a video titled "Brodyquest" onto his main YouTube channel which pictured famous actor [[Adrien Brody]] going about his daily life in a comedic manner.<ref>{{cite web |title=BRODYQUEST | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygI-2F8ApUM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ygI-2F8ApUM |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=11 October 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The video became a famous meme and was released as a single and placed on the ''[[Nature Tapes]]'' EP. The video would be brought up by [[Stephen Colbert]] during his interview with [[Adrien Brody]] in a 2016 episode of ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adrien Brody Appreciates "Brodyquest", Among Other Fine Art | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndcXS7hFnpw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ndcXS7hFnpw |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=11 October 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The video was also featured on Polygon's list of the greatest achievements in dumb internet video.<ref name="Polygon Brodyquest">{{cite web|title=The Greatest Achievements In Dumb Internet Video|website=Polygon|date=June 2021 |url=https://www.polygon.com/22417321/viral-videos-flash-youtube-all-time}}</ref> It has since been viewed on YouTube over 12.1 million times.
On June 1, 2010, Cicierega released a video and single titled "Brodyquest" on his main YouTube channel, picturing famous actor [[Adrien Brody]] going about his daily life in a comedic manner.<ref>{{cite web |last=Holliday|first=Laura|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/youtubes-comments-are-an-internet-treasure-we-must-protect|title=YouTube's Comments Are an Internet Treasure We Must Protect|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=June 26, 2023|accessdate=January 30, 2024}}</ref> The video became a [[viral video|viral]] meme, later receiving placement on the EP ''[[Nature Tapes]]'' (2014).<ref name="AudioPhix"/> It would be brought up by [[Stephen Colbert]] during his interview with [[Adrien Brody]] in a 2016 episode of ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]''.<ref name=Zach>{{cite AV media |last=Colbert|first=Stephen|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndcXS7hFnpw|title=Adrien Brody Appreciates "Brodyquest," Among Other Fine Art|publisher=[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]|medium=[[YouTube]] video|language=en|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref> The video was also featured on [[Polygon (website)|''Polygon'']]'s list of the greatest achievements in dumb internet video.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Broderick|first1=Ryan|last2=Davis|first2=Sarah|last3=Kesvani|first3=Hussein|url=https://www.polygon.com/22417321/viral-videos-flash-youtube-all-time|title=The Greatest Achievements In Dumb Internet Video|website=Polygon|date=June 1, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2023}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
{{col-start}}
⚫
=== Studio albums ===
{{col-2}}
⚫
'''Studio albums'''
*''Clown Circus'' (2003)
*''Clown Circus'' (2003)
*''Live from the Haunted Candle Shop'' (2003)
*''Live from the Haunted Candle Shop'' (2003)
Line 63: Line 64:
*''[[Spirit Phone]]'' (2016)
*''[[Spirit Phone]]'' (2016)


=== Compilation albums ===
'''Compilation albums'''
* ''Almanac 2009'' (2009)
* Almanac 2009 (2009)<ref>{{Citation|last=Lemon Demon|title=Almanac 2009|date=2009|url=http://archive.org/details/LemonDemonAlmanac2009|access-date=2020-12-24}}</ref>
{{col-2}}


=== Extended plays ===
'''Extended plays'''
*''Live (Only Not)'' (2011)<ref name=":1" />
*''Live (Only Not)'' (2011)
*''I Am Become Christmas'' (2012)
*''I Am Become Christmas'' (2012)
*''[[Nature Tapes]]'' (2014)<ref name=":1" />
*''[[Nature Tapes]]'' (2014)
⚫
*''Something Glowing'' (2020){{efn|group=lower-alpha|Compilation of songs previously released on ''View-Monster'' on [[7-inch]] vinyl, mainly bonus tracks}}
*''Something Glowing'' (2020)
*''Acrobat Unstable Record'' (2022)
*''Acrobat Unstable Record'' (2022){{efn|group=lower-beta|Compilation of bonus tracks previously released on ''[[Dinosaurchestra]]'' on [[7-inch]] vinyl}}
{{col-end}}
⚫
(Something Glowing and Acrobat Unstable Record being compilations of songs previously released on other albums on 7 inch vinyl, mainly bonus tracks)
{{notelist}}

==Members==
==Members==
===Official members===
'''Official members'''
*[[Neil Cicierega]] – vocals, keyboards, guitar, programming, percussion, songwriting, production {{small|(2003–present)}}
*[[Neil Cicierega]] – vocals, keyboards, guitar, programming, percussion, songwriting, production {{small|(2003–present)}}


===Live members===
'''Live members'''
*Alora Lanzillotta – bass guitar, vocals {{small|(2004–2012)}}
*Alora Lanzillotta – bass guitar, vocals {{small|(2004–2012)}}
*Charles "Chooch" Sergio – guitar {{small|(2006–2012)}}
*Charles "Chooch" Sergio – guitar {{small|(2006–2012)}}
*Anthony Wry – drums {{small|(2007–2008)}}, guitar, vocals {{small|(2012)}}
*Anthony Wry – drums {{small|(2007–2008)}}, guitar, vocals {{small|(2012)}}
*Dave Kitsberg – guitar, vocals {{small|(2008–2012)}}
*Dave Kitsberg – guitar, vocals {{small|(2008–2012, 2016)}}
*Greg Lanzillotta – drums {{small|(2009–2012)}}
*Greg Lanzillotta – drums {{small|(2009–2012)}}
<!-- Note that Professor iPod is a literal iPod and therefore is an instrument, not a member. -->
<!-- Note that Professor iPod is a literal iPod and therefore is an instrument, not a member. -->
Line 92: Line 96:
Alignbars = justify
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/2003 till:08/03/2023 # it is best not to use auto-updating timelines as it can cause problems when the graphic updates on a daily basis
Period = from:01/01/2003 till:03/07/2024 # it is best not to use auto-updating timelines as it can cause problems when the graphic updates on a daily basis
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
Line 105: Line 109:
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:EP value:gray(0.5) legend:Other_albums
id:EP value:gray(0.5) legend:EP


LineData =
LineData =
Line 118: Line 122:
at:02/29/2016
at:02/29/2016
color:EP
color:EP
⚫
at:11/01/2009
at:04/28/2011
at:04/28/2011
at:12/21/2012
at:12/21/2012
at:03/24/2014
at:03/24/2014
at:09/04/2020
⚫
at:01/01/2022


BarData =
BarData =
Line 134: Line 139:
PlotData=
PlotData=
width:11
width:11
bar:Neil from:01/01/2003 till:08/03/2023 color:vocals
bar:Neil from:01/01/2003 till:03/07/2024 color:vocals
bar:Neil from:01/01/2003 till:08/03/2023 color:guitar width:7
bar:Neil from:01/01/2003 till:03/07/2024 color:guitar width:7
bar:Neil from:01/01/2003 till:08/03/2023 color:keyboards width:3
bar:Neil from:01/01/2003 till:03/07/2024 color:keyboards width:3
bar:Alora from:01/01/2004 till:11/02/2012 color:bass
bar:Alora from:01/01/2004 till:11/02/2012 color:bass
bar:Alora from:01/01/2004 till:11/02/2012 color:vocals width:3
bar:Alora from:01/01/2004 till:11/02/2012 color:vocals width:3
Line 144: Line 149:
bar:Anthony from:08/02/2012 till:11/02/2012 color:vocals width:3
bar:Anthony from:08/02/2012 till:11/02/2012 color:vocals width:3
bar:Dave from:03/22/2008 till:11/02/2012 color:guitar
bar:Dave from:03/22/2008 till:11/02/2012 color:guitar
bar:Dave from:11/29/2015 till:02/29/2016 color:guitar
bar:Dave from:02/15/2016 till:03/15/2016 color:guitar
bar:Dave from:03/22/2008 till:11/02/2012 color:vocals width:3
bar:Dave from:03/22/2008 till:11/02/2012 color:vocals width:3
bar:Greg from:10/31/2009 till:11/02/2012 color:drums
bar:Greg from:10/31/2009 till:11/02/2012 color:drums
Line 154: Line 159:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.lemondemon.com/}}
*{{Official website|http://www.lemondemon.com/}}
*[https://lemondemon.bandcamp.com/ Lemon Demon on Bandcamp]
*[https://lemondemon.bandcamp.com/ Lemon Demon on Bandcamp]
*[https://needlejuicerecords.com/pages/lemon-demon Lemon Demon on Needlejuice Records]
*[https://needlejuicerecords.com/pages/lemon-demon Lemon Demon on Needlejuice Records]
*[http://wiki.mumbergo.net/index.php/Main_Page WikiLemon]
*[http://wiki.mumbergo.net/index.php/Main_Page WikiLemon]

⚫
{{Neil Cicierega}}{{Authority control}}
{{Neil Cicierega}}
⚫
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Musical groups established in 2000]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2000]]
Line 165: Line 173:
[[Category:Musical groups from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American synth-pop groups]]
[[Category:American synth-pop groups]]
[[Category:Newgrounds people]]

Latest revision as of 04:36, 12 December 2024

Lemon Demon
Lemon Demon performing in 2006
Lemon Demon performing in 2006
Background information
Also known as
  • Trapezoid
  • Deporitaz
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active2003–present
Labels
Members
Websitelemondemon.com

Lemon Demon is a musical project and band created by American comedian and musician Neil Cicierega in 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. Lemon Demon's studio work is performed solely by Cicierega, who is the project's sole official member. Live performances also include a backing band, with previous performances consisting of Alora Lanzillotta, Charles Sergio, Anthony Wry, Dave Kitsberg, and Greg Lanzillotta. As of 2024, Lemon Demon has released seven studio albums and five EPs.

History

[edit]
Cicierega wearing a Trapezoid name tag over a Lemon Demon shirt in 2006

Neil Cicierega began releasing instrumental music and several remixes of video game music under the moniker Trapezoid in the late 90s and early 2000s, creating 3 albums whilst frequently active on Adventure Game Studio.[2] The artist name was retroactively anagrammed to "Deporitaz" as an existing band called Trapezoid demanded that he change it.[3] On January 21, 2003, Cicierega released Lemon Demon's first song, "Don't Be Like the Sun", later saying "eventually I started experimenting with singing, and once I felt ready to do that full time, I christened myself Lemon Demon and went into it head on".[4] He then released his first four albums: Clown Circus (2003), Live from the Haunted Candle Shop (2003), Hip to the Javabean (2004), and Damn Skippy (2005).[2]

In late 2005, Cicierega and animator Shawn Vulliez released a Flash animated music video for Lemon Demon's "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny".[5] The video amassed over 6.5 million views in 6 months on Newgrounds and topped the "Funny Five" on The Dr. Demento Show for several weeks, becoming the No. 1 Request for 2006.[4][6] The song was later included in Lemon Demon's fifth album Dinosaurchestra (2006).[7] An updated recording of it was released to the Rock Band Network in 2010.[8] Lemon Demon's sixth studio album, View-Monster (2008),[9] features "Modify" as a bonus track, which later became a popular song on TikTok.[10] A remix of the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is additionally included as a bonus track on the album.[11] Another notable track from View-Monster is Bill Watterson,[12] about a fan obsessing over comic artist Bill Watterson. [13]

Cicierega released Spirit Phone as Lemon Demon's seventh studio album on February 29, 2016.[2] The album was the No. 1 best-selling album on Bandcamp for the first week of its release.[14] On July 10, 2018, it was announced that copies of the album on CD, cassette, and vinyl would be sold through Needlejuice Records, who would later physically distribute remastered versions of all of Lemon Demon's studio work dating back to 2005.[7] "Touch-Tone Telephone" later became Lemon Demon's most-streamed song, surpassing "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" in September 2020. This was then surpassed by "Fine" in July 2024, which had garnered over 75 million streams on Spotify at the time.[15]

Cicierega uploaded the song "Funkytown" to his Patreon page in 2017, later contributing it to the 2020 charity compilation album Needlejustice, which benefits the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.[16] It would later be released as an official single alongside "One Weird Tip" on January 21, 2023.[3]

Viral successes

[edit]

"The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny"

[edit]
Main article: The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

On December 22, 2005, Lemon Demon and animator Shawn Vulliez released the Flash music video "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" on Newgrounds. The video features cartoon versions of dozens of real-life celebrities and fictional characters, largely from 1980s and 1990s pop culture, in a large century-long brawl.[17] It gained a cult following among web enthusiasts and became the "user's choice" on December 28, 2005, accumulating 6.5 million views within 6 months.[4] It appeared on several other websites including Albino Blacksheep.[5]

"Brodyquest"

[edit]

On June 1, 2010, Cicierega released a video and single titled "Brodyquest" on his main YouTube channel, picturing famous actor Adrien Brody going about his daily life in a comedic manner.[18] The video became a viral meme, later receiving placement on the EP Nature Tapes (2014).[3] It would be brought up by Stephen Colbert during his interview with Adrien Brody in a 2016 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[19] The video was also featured on Polygon's list of the greatest achievements in dumb internet video.[20]

Discography

[edit]
  1. ^ Compilation of songs previously released on View-Monster on 7-inch vinyl, mainly bonus tracks
  2. ^ Compilation of bonus tracks previously released on Dinosaurchestra on 7-inch vinyl

Members

[edit]

Official members

  • Neil Cicierega – vocals, keyboards, guitar, programming, percussion, songwriting, production (2003–present)

Live members

  • Alora Lanzillotta – bass guitar, vocals (2004–2012)
  • Charles "Chooch" Sergio – guitar (2006–2012)
  • Anthony Wry – drums (2007–2008), guitar, vocals (2012)
  • Dave Kitsberg – guitar, vocals (2008–2012, 2016)
  • Greg Lanzillotta – drums (2009–2012)

Timeline

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Lemon Demon". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Neil Cicierega, Internet Person – XOXO Festival (2016)" (YouTube video). XOXO Festival. November 17, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Becker, Sarah (April 16, 2024). "Timeline of Lemon Demon's 'Nature Tapes'". AudioPhix. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Sweeney, Emily (June 22, 2006). "He's a hit with Internet set". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Rini, Carol (April 11, 2006). ""Good guys, bad guys and explosions..."". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  6. ^ Hansen, Barret (July 2, 2006). ""The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" (the show's #1 song of 2006 thus far)". Dr. Demento. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Cohen, Max (February 16, 2022). "Lemon Demon: The Man, The Meme, The Legend". Bandcamp. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Lemon Demon on Rock Band Network". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  9. ^ The Collegian (March 7, 2016). ""Spirit Phone" shows Lemon Demon's growth". The Collegian. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  10. ^ Gray, Laura (October 31, 2022). "Roblox music codes for TikTok songs (November 2022)". Gamepur. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. ^ The Beatles. Pedia Press. p. 1334.
  12. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/3500065-Lemon-Demon-View-Monster
  13. ^ "Bill Watterson". lambiek.net. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "Bandcamp". March 6, 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "Lemon Demon | Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Needlejustice | Various Artists". Bandcamp. Needlejuice Records. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  17. ^ Rempel, Shauna (August 26, 2006). "Copy, paste, animate". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Holliday, Laura (June 26, 2023). "YouTube's Comments Are an Internet Treasure We Must Protect". The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Colbert, Stephen (February 25, 2016). Adrien Brody Appreciates "Brodyquest," Among Other Fine Art (YouTube video). The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Broderick, Ryan; Davis, Sarah; Kesvani, Hussein (June 1, 2021). "The Greatest Achievements In Dumb Internet Video". Polygon. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lemon Demon.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Lemon_Demon&oldid=1262590101"