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Caustic (band)

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Caustic
File:Caustic Band Fortie.jpg
Background information
OriginMadison, Wisconsin, USA
Years active2002 - present
MembersMatt Fanale

Caustic is an American industrial band based out of Madison, WI, created in 2002 by DJ Matt Fanale (AKA Eurotic), who is the sole consistent member[1]. The band's live lineup varies quite a bit, largely depending on the location of the show. Caustic's lyrics are typically really silly, while the music itself ranges between older styled industrial and more modern styled powernoise.

Caustic has performed live at a number of international industrial music festivals including the 2005 Providence Industrial Festival and the 2006 Blacksun, Reverence and the Providence festivals. Caustic has also toured with a number of other goth and industrial bands including: Terrorfakt and Null Device. In a sign of his rising influence, Caustic has been tapped to open for KMFDM and Combichrist for five midwest dates in early October of 2006.

Background

History

Originally the debut album, Unicorns, Kittens, and Shit, was supposed to be released by Static Sky Records in early 2006, but due to production issues surrounding the CD liner notes, the release of the album was pushed back until summer 2006. After Static Sky Records closed, Caustic moved to the Crunch Pod label. The debut album is listed as a co-release between the then defunct Static Sky Records and Crunch Pod. Caustic has enjoyed moderate success in 2006 with the release of Unicorns, Kittens, and Shit, which hit number 1 on Metropolis Records' mail-order site[2].

Genre and style

Caustic can largely be described as industrial and/or powernoise, with a more humorous and self-depreciating tone than similar acts:

I actually tried making serious music for a bit, but fortunately or unfortunately, nobody could take me seriously, so I went from wanting to be the next 'grr spit industrial' project to what I am now. I kind of like the juxtaposition of trying to be as badass on stage as possible while screaming, 'Tell me about my uterus!' As I've said before though, a good number of bands in the hard electronics scene are trying way too damn hard to be controversial and angry, spouting cliché after cliché, and it's become boring. I think having fun is a much better idea -- but being just as loud. I'd rather scream about handjobs than Christianity or Satan or Satanic Christianity any day, because at least that's something I like. Mmm...handjobs. However, I definitely don't want to be seen as a 'joke band,' but more like the Mr. Bungle of industrial -- without the talent.[3]

Influences Matt Fanale has referenced include Ministry, Andrew WK, Pop Will Eat Itself, Chemlab and Stromkern, as well as the comedians Doug Stanhope, Bill Hicks, and David Cross.

Live

Live performances are often noted for the often frenetic interaction with the audience and the band's surroundings, characterized by mild drunken belligerence. Forties are often on prominent display. Bizarre costumes and frenetic lightshows are also a staple:

I've pissed off some people at live shows.... Some [explitive] at my first Seattle show was grumpy about the Caustic live set because we were apparently 'making fun of the scene,' or something like that. I think my pal Krass, in drag and playing cowbell, and Darren (formerly of Backandtotheleft/Noxious Emotion) on drums, shirtless and rubbing his chest against the window of where we were playing, had something to do with it.

...

I believe in giving a show. I believe in having some live [explitive] actually going on, and I believe in having a good time. People avoid shows in this scene, and I'm talking industrial in general, because there isn't a show. Darren Miller once had sex with a squirrel. Most people [who perform] are just standing there twisting knobs and looking like they're checking their email. Boring. Bo-[explitive]-ring.

I like screaming at an audience, having them scream back and looking like a jackass. I'd rather show too much of my stupid personality than not, and be remembered for looking like a moron than just standing there like some bored chump. Mind you, there are exceptions to every rule, but when I pay to see a show I want to see an actual show, and that's what we try to do. We're incorporating video now, too, so the dumb possibilities are becoming endless.[4]

Discography

Full length albums and EPs

  • I Am On Fire EP Sonic Mainline (2005)
  • Unicorns, Kittens, and Shit Static Sky / Crunch Pod (2006)

Special releases

  • Meld Endif vs. Caustic split CDr Sonic Mainline Records / Thirdwave Collective (2005)
  • Rainbows, Puppies, & Crap special mp3 album available for download

Compliation appearances

  • Drag Show Gone Wrong on Electro/R/Evolution Volume 1 Static Sky Records (2005)
  • Your Stupid Fucking Face on Friends of Brokecore Vol. 2 CDr Brokecore (2005)
  • Rapidly Punching the Soft Spot on Das Bunker: Fear of a Distorted Planet 2CD Das Bunker (2006)
  • Digital Mangina on "Endzeit Bunkertracks: Act II" 4CD Alfa Matrix (2006)

Remixes

  • Enemy Within (Battle for New Orleans mix) on The Rogue Pair by C/A/T
  • Enhancer (Trible D Club mix) on ATF by C/A/T
  • Databass (Caustic Floorwhore mix) on The Blackout Remixes by PTI
  • Falling Behind (Catching Up mix) on Dialogue by Stochastic Theory
  • Sleeper Cell (meamthereaper mix) on Meld by Endif
  • Turn Signals Are Still Cool (Pimp My Rhyme Mix) on NESferatu by The Gothsicles

List of band members

Studio and Live

  • Matt Fanale (2002-present) -- vocals, programming, mixing

Live only

Though Caustic's studio production is essentially entirely from Fanale, when Caustic tours, other musicians often join the band for the live show. The following are some of the artists that have joined Caustic for one or more performances.

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