Wikipedia

Big Electric Metal Bass Face

Big Electric Metal Bass Face is the second studio album by Die Warzau, released on October 1, 1991 by Atlantic and Fiction Records.[3][4][5][6] The band introduced elements of funk music and the speeches of American politicians into their sample library to musically articulate topics concerning race relations such as "Funkopolis".[7] Percussionist Chris Vrenna, who had performed on Nine Inch Nails' 1989 debut Pretty Hate Machine, joined the band to collaborate on tour and to record in studio.[8]

Big Electric Metal Bass Face
Studio album by
Die Warzau
ReleasedOctober 1, 1991 (1991-10-01)[1][2]
Studio
Various
    • Chicago Trax
    • (Chicago, IL)
    • D&D Studios
    • (New York City, NY)
    • Streeterville
    • (Chicago, IL)
Genre
Length63:20
LabelAtlantic/Fiction
Producer
Die Warzau chronology
Disco Rigido
(1989) 		Big Electric Metal Bass Face
(1991) 		Engine
(1995)
Singles from Big Electric Metal Bass Face
  1. "Funkopolis"
    Released: 1991
  2. "Never Again"
    Released: 1992

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [9]

Tim Griggs of AllMusic gave Big Electric Metal Bass Face a mostly negative review and called the songs "not as heavy as other industrial recordings; in fact, considering the name of the band and album title, some are wimpier than they should be."[9] Ben Thompson of The Wire was also critical of the album and said "the single 'Funkopolis' is something of a toe-tapper but much of the rest steers perilously close to the little-lamented early 80s college-educated tribal funk essays of Shriekback et al."[10]

A critic at Keyboard was more positive in their review, identifying the band's strength at rhythm arrangements and saying "their mixes are unusually bright: Samples punch, synth saxes honk, Moogish bass lines go yowp-yowp, drums thump, unidentified noises circle and take off, all of them clear and sharp."[11] Mondo 2000 praised the band for developing a jazzy and more quiet and kinetic energy, describing the album as "a dance – till – it – hurts mutant blend of industrial, rap, funk, and house."[12] Similarly, CMJ claimed that the album "not only avoids cliché but manages to evoke a fluid R&B feel throughout."[13]

In comparing the album to Disco Rigido, Tony Fletcher of Trouser Press called "stronger and smarter, a worthy blending of funky rock, chanted vocals, spoken-word samples and proto-electronica" and compared the band favorably to Red Hot Chili Peppers.[14]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Van Christie and Jim Marcus, except "Head" by James Woolley

No.TitleLength
1."Crack Radio"4:42
2."Funkopolis"3:59
3."Never Again"4:30
4."Shock Box"3:27
5."Brand New Convertible Car"6:25
6."Burning"4:34
7."All Cut Up"3:37
8."Coming Down" (live)4:33
9."My Pretty Little Girlfriend"6:20
10."Red All Over"4:55
11."Pig City"4:19
12."Dying in Paradise"5:31
13."Suck It Up"2:52
14."Head"3:34

Personnel

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Adapted from the Big Electric Metal Bass Face liner notes.[15]

Die Warzau

Additional performers

  • Dave Andrew (as The White Guy) – additional percussion
  • Burle Avant (as DJ (Durpilicious)) – turntables, additional vocals, backing vocals
  • Chris Bruce – bass guitar
  • Jim Romano (as Cheese) – additional vocals
  • Tom Stranich (as Wolverine) – additional vocals
  • Tim Titsworth (as Happy Titsworth) – additional vocals
  • Chris Vrenna (as Pooboy) – additional percussion
  • Jennifer Wilcox (as Levi) – additional vocals
  • James Woolley (as Bear) – percussion, additional keyboards, backing vocals

Production and design

Release history

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Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1991 Atlantic CD, CS 7 82295
Fiction 82295
Japan 1992 CD POCP-1206

References

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  1. ^ Barnhart, Becky (2000). "Schwann Spectrum". Schwann Spectrum. 7 (1). Stereophile, Incorporated: 39. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  2. ^ "Die Warzau: Big Electric Metal Bass Face". R.E.D. MusicMaster ... Deletions. Retail Entertainment Data Publishing. 2001. ISBN 9781900105217. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Huey, Steve. "Die Warzau > Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. ^ Christian, Chris (July 15, 1995). "Interview With Die Warzau at Club Soda in Kalamazoo, MI". Sonic Boom. 3 (5). Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  5. ^ Górnisiewicz, Katarzyna NINa (December 24, 2005). "Die Warzau – Interview". Fabryka Industrial Rock & Metal Encyclopedia. Fabryka Music Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  6. ^ Yücel, Ilker (May 1, 2012). "Jim Marcus InterView: Go, Going, Gone, Go Fight!". ReGen. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  7. ^ "Other Current Hits". Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World. 11. Bloomsbury Academic: 411. October 5, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (January 7, 2020). Raising Hell: Backstage Tales from the Lives of Metal Legends. Diversion Books. ISBN 9781635766486. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Griggs, Tim. "Die Warzau: Big Electric Metal Bass Face > Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  10. ^ Thompson, Ben (1994). "Die Warzau: Big Electric Metal Bass Face". CD Review Digest. 7 (4). Peri Press: 65. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  11. ^ "Die Warzau: Big Electric Metal Bass Face". Keyboard. 18 (1–6). GPI Publications: 25. 1992. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  12. ^ "Die Warzau: Big Electric Metal Bass Face". Mondo 2000 (11–13). Fun City MegaMedia: 115. 1993. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  13. ^ Glaser, Mark, ed. (11 October 1991). "Jackpot!" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. 28 (256). Great Neck, NY: College Media, Inc.: 10. ISSN 0890-0795. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  14. ^ Fletcher, Tony; Robbins, Ira (1991). "Die Warzau". Trouser Press. Collier Books: 191. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Big Electric Metal Bass Face (booklet). Die Warzau. New York City/Willesden, London: Atlantic/Fiction. 1991.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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