FREAKS....
have now completed production of their fourth studio album, Psych, which continues where their previous album "The Man Who Lived Underground," left off – Ranting and raving about life in general !! Founder members, Luke Solomon and Justin Harris along with singers, Stella Attar and Diz, find humour in the things that irk them in day to day life and meld these thoughts with their freaky formula of music. Almost a "Part 2 " to “The Man Who Lived Underground”, which followed a story of a man called Weaver, who decided to opt out from social life and build a new one underground (Jon Peel was inspired enough to play 2 tracks on his show); the theme on Psych follows a similar path but bases itself around a fictitious band called Black Shoes White Socks who, coming from an electronic background, find themselves battling against current trends of music and what’s cool and what’s not. Musically, it takes its roots from 70's ,80's and 90's dance acts just to prove a point. Bands such as Skyy, Talking Heads, the B52's and Green Velvet. Combining electronic rhythm with live instruments, Freaks set about fusing the new with the old and flying the flag for "dance music" (ultimately music you can dance too). Freaks were originally born in 1994, the brain child of Justin Harris and Luke Solomon. They began recording for Phono, home of Herbert and Swag and their first few releases, which came in three parts, saw them journey through filter disco (The Shrunken Head), quirky mid tempo house (Journey's Through Happiness), and minimal techno (The Milwaukee Stance). Then came the time to set up their own label and they kicked off the Music For Freaks imprint by releasing a series of 4 12 inches, each with a collectable sleeve. MFF was also home for their albums, Meanwhile Back At The Disco, The Beat Diaries and The Man Who Lived Underground and tracks such as “Turning Orange”, “The Creeps” and “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out” have since become Freaks seminal records (one of which blasted out of the underground and even found itself in the top 20 in Belgium, no less !!!!!!!!!!!!!). Freaks has also garnered support from the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Arthur Baker and Derrick Carter and throughout the years and the music, they have built a faithful and obsessive fanbase throughout Europe and Japan. So there came a point when Justin and Luke knew that Freaks wasn’t just about 2 blokes twiddling some knobs in a studio and hoping for the best. They always knew there would be a band but it had to be a case of the right place at the right time and so it all began a long time ago with their early work on their first album, the Beat Diaries, which featured Stella Attar on vocals. Then Diz came along, the male vocalist. Then Rub, the bass player and brain surgeon!! Then Jonny Rock, the guitarist, a long time DJ cohort. To the most recent member, Sasha Darroch, the drummer. This had become the beginnings of a band with a purpose... thankfully that means Psych doesn’t just play out of your stereo or ipod but rocks your live stages too.
For all forthcoming gigs, news and general info, visit: musicforfreaks.com
Management: Louise smith (l s management) Office : + 44 (0) 208 931 9868 Mob : + 44 (0) 7957 882998 louisesmith929@btinternet.com.
Live bookings : James bullock (elite management) Direct: +44 (0) 777 1800 596 Office: +44 (0) 1273 621 999 Fax: +44 (0) 1273 623 999 Skype / MSN / .. jrjbullock mailto:james@elitemm.co.uk
LUKE SOLOMON
Luke’s involvement in the music industry began almost ten years ago, when in 1992 he was hired to buy dance tracks for an old soul record shop in North London. Not content with toiling away in a retail position, he soon formed a recording partnership with his co-worker Ty Holden and completed remixes for labels such as Freetown and Black Sunshine. Soon after, Freetown picked up the young Luke to work in promotions for their rapidly expanding dance label that went on to sign such acts as Robert Owens, Master at Work, Kerri Chandler, Ron Trent and Lee John.
Meanwhile, Luke’s DJing career was taking off after a humble start playing at his university in Middlesex. By 1995 he was a resident DJ on the now legendary pirate radio station ‘Girls FM’, where he met his partner in crime, Kenny Hawkes. This partnership spawned their residency at ‘Space’, in central London’s Bar Rumba. By this point Luke had also moved on from Freetown to work in A&R for Roger Sanchez and Marts Andrups. In 1996, Luke began recording with Rob Mello from Sensory Productions, under the artist names of ‘Heaven and Earth’ and ‘Purple Haze’ with tracks released on Prescription Underground, Freetown and Guidance.
They also released tracks on Luke’s new label, Classic Music Company, which was formed with Chicago house music don Derrick Carter, and Luke’s own label spin-off Acid. Justin Harris soon entered the arena and they began producing under the guises of Freaks, The Electric Imbalance Allstars, Robotic Movement and The Unknown. By 1999, the label Music For Freaks was established which unleashed their own freaky, formidable creations on the world and has grown alongside Classic to become one of the most highly regarded dance labels of its time.
Luke has now hung up his title as Classic company director. Derrick Carter and he are bringing Classic's 12 inch output to an end. In September of last year they released a retrospective double CD entitled 'A Classic Decade', the follow up to the big selling 'Thanks for Coming By' and are now focusing their efforts on their newly formed publishing company. Luke also recently released a mix CD for KSR in Japan, entitled 'Mix This'. Still as busy as ever, Luke continues to travel the world as a DJ, while his longstanding Classic residency at The End continues to go from strength to strength.
JUSTIN HARRIS
Justin has been DJing since 1987. He started producing records in 1994 and three years ago, teamed up with Luke Solomon to create the Freaks project. Twenty-eight EP's and over thirty remixes later, the Freaks are steadily gaining respect and rave reviews from the global house music scene. On their own 'Music For Freaks' label they have released ten EPs along with their first album 'The Beat Diaries; all of which received high critical acclaim and are continuing to sell worldwide. Harris and Solomon will also release a label compilation entitled 'Some Freaky Stuff' followed by their second album early next year.
During his musical career Justin has also recorded with Luke Solomon under various guises such as Robotic Movement, Freesoul (with Diesel) and Oliloqui to name but a few. Their tracks were for such seminal house labels as Classic, Phono, 20/20 Vision, Large, Seasons and SSR. Justin has also recorded his own solo projects as himself or Philippe Maurice for Classic Sensory Productions, Monkey Fruit and Refried amongst others.
Justin regularly DJ's at Space (Luke and Kenny Hawke's legendary Wednesday nighter at Bar Rhumba in London), various dates all over Europe including some exclusives nights in Paris (The Rex, Bateau Fas) and Oslo's Club Skanssen. Justin currently has residency at LYME.fm's GET PAID night at London's AKA bar.
STELLA ATTAR
An artistic songwriter and vocalist, Stella fronts and writes for Freaks, Stella co-wrote club anthems 'Where Were You When The Lights Went Out' and 'Creeps'. The band are currently working on their 4th album and touring their live show.
Stella's other dance collaborations include the current releases for Fallen Angels 'City Life' for Ministry of Sound, Tapestar's 'Nice n Slow' for Incentive and Paradise Soul's 'Wake Up' for Kinky Vinyl. Stella also co-wrote 'Critical' with DJ and producer Rob Mello which was the final release on the Derrick Carter label Classic Records.
Whether it's pop co-writes or her own projects, Stella has worked on material with the grammy award winning production duo ESL (Phil Larsen (Erasure, Kylie Minogue) and Bruce Elliot-Smith (Dannii Minogue, Angel City)), Julian Jonah (187 Lockdown), James Christopher (Ashtrax), Simon Hulbert (Friday Hill), KK (Dido, Bjork), Lawrence Oakley (St. Etienne), Mike Monday (Paradise Soul), Pete Hammond (PWL) and Marcello.
Stella has recently been writing tracks for new Icelandic singer Bryndis with Baby Ash and other pitches with Tim Gordine for established and new artists.
www.myspace.com/stellaattar