Este duo australiano no son extra?os en la escena electr?nica donde vienen intoxicando con su m?sica las pistas de baile pero tambi?n enviando un fuerte mensaje de reflexi?n en torno a asuntos de tipo social, econ?mico y religioso. David Thrussell a cargo de la voz, samples y programaci?n junto a Pieter Bourke en los teclados, samples, y ayudando en la programaci?n, han hecho de Snug un acto que se ha mantenido vigente y muy prolifico en los ultimos a?os, a pesar que sus integrantes desarrollan proyectos por su lado como Black Lung y posteriormente como Soma.
La propuesta de Snog es interesante pues recurren a ritmos muy bailables y bastante digeribles, a diferencia de sus contempor?neos que sin necesidad de distorsionadores de voz ni temas oscuros o macabros, Snog presenta igualmente una m?sica de denuncia que quiz?s sin proponerselo (o tal vez con toda intenci?n) sus temas son bastante corrosivos y con un alto contenido politico (muchas veces mas macabro que la misma ficci?n). Al final este duo logra colocarse en el gusto de un p?blico, que a la larga termina digiriendo el ritmo pegajoso de Snog quienes en el fondo aborrecen esa misma sociedad consumista y glotona del capitalismo a ultranza, lo que se convierte en una contradicci?n. El resultado es inesperado y como la portada del mismo disco lo indica, es una propuesta muy bizarra, de muchos matices y de altos contrastes.
ABOUT SNOG
Snog, hailing from the great continent of Australia, is the brainchild of DJ David Thrussell. Originally formed in 1988, they first hit the dance floors in 1992 with their classic electro hit, Corporate Slave, which combined elements of 90s electrodance with 70s funk and a strong anticapitalist message. This was followed up by their first full length CD, Lies, Inc., and two more dance hits, Shop, and Born to be Mild. Their lyrics show a strong disillusionment with the western ideals of materialism and mass ownership, a stance which is bound to enrage the “gimme” sensibilities of American capitalism.
Despite their apparently radical inclinations, David doesn’t regard his lyrics as political, but rather as simple and rather obvious social observations. He doesn’t claim to have any revelationary secrets, but sees his lyrics as a frank examination of our humanity struggling within itself.
Snog reppeared in 1994 with a harshly technofied sound, which defines their Cliche single. An Australian single, Hey Christian God was also released which included material that was later used for his Black Lung project.
In 1995, David Thrussell officially began his Black Lung project, which has so far released six CDs, one of which, The Disinformation Plague is currently available on Metropolis. He also appeared with Pieter Bourke (of Eden and Dead Can Dance) as Soma, whose releases include The Hollow Earth and The Inner Cinema.
1995 also saw the release of Snog’s second full length CD: Dear Valued Customer, which furthered the sound explored with Cliche and the politics espoused in Lies, Inc. If anything, Thrussell’s antipolitics had become more western-antagonistic, now tackling issues of religious domination and hypocrisy as well as socio-economic ones.
In 1996, Snog joined forces with Metropolis Records, releasing The Future, an EP of new material; Remote Control, a compilation/remix CD of Snog’s work to date; and Buy Me…I’ll Change Your Life, a successfully bizarre combination of electro and a vague country style of spaghetti western music.
In 1999 Snog returned to their classic electro sound with Third Mall from the Sun, filled with danceable electronics, controversial lyrics, and a cover bound to cause consternation in the corporate world. A re-mix CD for the album was released in 2000 titled Relax Into the Abyss, along with a double album featuring the re-releases of Lies Inc. and Dear Valued Customer together with bonus tracks.
Thrussell cites a number of influences in his musical styles, ranging from cinema to classic rock and folk to industrial music. Seemingly contradictory names such as Foetus, the Swans, Tom Waits, Cabaret Voltaire, Ennio Morricone, Kraftwerk, Lustmord, Pink Floyd, Leonard Cohen, Hawkwind, Nick Cave, Lassigue Bendthaus and Clock DVA appear on his list of musical influences; with film presences including Roman Polanski, Stanley Kubrick, Oliver Stone, David Cronenberg, John Carpenter, and an insatiable love of the “spaghetti western.? He unabashedly supports the right of sampling, and openly promotes the sampling of his own material by other artists.
2003 was a busy year for Snog. First they re-immerged with the album, Beyond the Valley of the Proles. It featured eleven mellow electronic ?spaghetti western? tracks similar to a mix of Lee Hazelwood and Leonard Cohen, rich musical textures, clean acoustic guitars, and David Thrussel?s deep bass vocals created a soothing atmosphere to calm the most restless spirit. Carefully merging electronic music with acoustic lounge pop, Beyond the Valley of the Proles generated a hybrid unlike no other. In addition to the auditory feed, Snog also presented his first piece of eye candy to the western world. The Adventures in Capitalism DVD was a collection of tuneful, sentimental music videos for your most relaxed viewing moments. On the must have DVD, SNOG took a number of their most appealing melodies and tender ballads that have special significance for everyone.
For 2006, Snog presents Sixteen Easy Tunes for the End Times, a greatest hits collection of Snog?s most influential works to date. Along with the 16 main tracks, there?s a bonus section with 16 additional mp3 tracks, as well as lyrics and a poster and artwork gallery. Also as a prelude to the upcoming album, there was a digital only single for Crash Crash.
For his newest album, Snog leaves behind the spaghetti western style that was prevalent in his last album, Beyond the Valley of the Proles, and regained the signature sound that he has been known for since his birth in the early 90?s. Vs. The Faecal Juggernaut Of Mass Culture is a musical exploration through the problems effecting society through the exploitation of mass media and utilization of disinformation as directed by political initiatives. Interesting electronic sequences are complimented by intriguing lyrics and wrapped around varying beat structures to create Snog?s most accessible and well balanced album to date. A digital only single The Kings of Hate followed in the fall as well as a North American tour.
SNOG
David Thrussell: voice, samples, programs
Pieter Bourke: keys, samples, programs
Tracklist:
Snog “The Kings Of Hate” (Digital Only Release) MET 443
Street date: August 15th, 2006
01. King Of Hate
02. King Of Hate (End Remix)
03. King Of Hate (Cabana Dee & the Calculators Remix)
04. Turn On Your Brain Baby (Oleg Kostrow Remix)
05. King Of Hate (Black Lung Remix)
06. Turn On Your Brain Baby ((Diverse) Remix)
07. Crash Crash (Manmademan Remix)
08. Turn On Your Brain Baby (Mantrix Remix)
09. Bourgeois (Tony D’Oporto Remix)
10. Shopping Man
11. Sedition Is Lust (Featuring Pankow)
12. Bourgeois (Squigg Remix)
13. Queen Of Hate (Anon + Cyrusrex Remix)
14. Turn On Your Brain Baby (Recently Deceased Remix)
15. King Of Hate (Spyweirdos Remix)
16. King Of Hate (Dr. Tooth Re-Invention)
17. Stomp Song
