1 Man Army Records


Welcome to the world of 1 Man Army Records, Bristol's infamous underground electronic music label. We hope you enjoy the music!




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Wednesday 14 February 2007

FEBRUARY 2007 NEWS

Welcome to the new 1 MAN ARMY RECORDS blogspace!

This new website will be updated much more frequently than our old webpages so keep checking back for all the latest news and music from 1 MAN ARMY RECORDS.

There are some new features to this website and more will be added in the coming months.

Please feel free to post comments on this blog.
We want this to feel like a communal space for everyone.

Hope you enjoy the music!

PLUMMET 15/02/07

PLUMMET @ Timbuk2, Bristol
THURSDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2007

This month the lineup includes the mighty DOLPHIN & THE TEKNOIST from Ninja Columbo/Deathchant and our own MICHAEL J ROCKS.

This PLUMMET event promises to be a cracker!














See you all there!

EVENTS

1 MAN ARMY RECORDS is closely associated with LAPTOP BATTLE UK, PLUMMET, and KUANTUM_WINDOW series of new electronic music events in Bristol.


LAPTOP BATTLE UK


LAPTOP BATTLE 6
FRIDAY 30 MAY 2008 @ The Croft, Bristol



LAPTOP BATTLE UK is a new style of music event, featuring 8 producers, 3 judges, 2 VJs, and an MC. The focus is on showcasing new experimental music, not rivalry.



Check the LAPTOP BATTLE UK websites for details of upcoming events...

www.laptopbattleuk.com
www.myspace.com/laptopbattleuk

Click here to goto the LAPTOP BATTLE UK page
featuring sound clips, video clips, photos, and reviews!!





PLUMMET




PLUMMET is a Breakcore / Jungle / Electronica / Glitch /Mashup clubnight held monthly at Timbuk2, in Bristol.

Check the PLUMMET websites for details of upcoming events...

www.plummetevents.co.uk
www.myspace.com/plummetevents

Click here to goto the PLUMMET page!!




KUANTUM_WINDOW




KUANTUM_WINDOW was a series of live electronic music events in Bristol between 2004 and 2005.

Click here to goto the KUANTUM_WINDOW page!!

VIDEOS

EPOCH


EPOCH was the official launch night of 1 MAN ARMY RECORDS in Moles Club on Friday 7th February 2003.

This sold out night was a great success and featured the debut live performances from CHEMICAL DUB THEORY and LOZ KOLESZKO.
EPOCH became a trilogy of live electronic music events to showcase the new artists on 1 MAN ARMY RECORDS including HEADPHOBE, DEFAZED, and FLOOGLEBINDER.



CHEMICAL DUB THEORY @ EPOCH (07-02-03)




LOZ KOLESZKO @ EPOCH (07-02-03)



LAPTOP BATTLE UK


LAPTOP BATTLE UK is a new style of music event.
Here are some video clips from previous Laptop Battle UK events...



HEADPHOBE in the Final @ Laptop Battle 1




HEADPHOBE vs BINRAY @ Laptop Battle 1




HEADPHOBE @ Laptop Battle 2




SHINRA @ Laptop Battle 2



HEADPHOBE & DEFAZED were crowned Laptop Battle UK Team Champions in March 2007.
Here are some videos of them in action!!



HEADPHOBE & DEFAZED vs MADTEK (part 1) - Laptop Battle 3 Final



HEADPHOBE & DEFAZED vs MADTEK (part 2) - Laptop Battle 3 Final



HEADPHOBE & DEFAZED vs LRAB - Laptop Battle 3 Semi-Final

LAPTOP BATTLE UK v2 review

Laptop Battle v2 at the Croft was again a banging exhibition of electronic goods. As always a big thanks to all competitors, VJ's, MC and helpers. Also bigup to the BBC for the TV news coverage.

Quick whitted MC Gusto Fresh's banter accompanied interludes from scratching genius Asian Hawk(UK DMC DJ champion) as the two hosted the battle action out in the back room. Back to back VJ battling was supplied by Pixel Monkeys & Meek TV amidst the performance - nice one...


ROUND 1

Linear Systems vs Shoutput







Shinra vs Polestar

After a beat intensive battle between the first pair, Shinra and Polstar introduced a more laid back approach. Polestar showing of progressive trance like sounds couldn't beat down the jumpy breakbeats and samples form Shinra.




Company Fuck vs Spaghetti Machete

Company Fuck thrashed out a chowder of noise which made most of our company say what the fuck! Spaghetti Machette provided an upbeat set that led to a convincing victory.




Pseudoscience vs Headphobe

The luck of the draw saw two of the favorites go head to head in the first round. Pseudoscience was coming back with vengence after his defeat in the semis last time, but couldn't swing the crowd and judges his way. This was a technically impressive round.



SEMI-FINAL

Shoutput vs Shinra








Spaghetti Machete vs Headphobe









Valient 2nd round performances from Shoutput and Spagetti Machete were not quite enough to take down the crowd pleaser Shinra and the reigning champion Headphobe.



THE FINAL

Headphobe v. Shinra

With Headphobe being in the lime light due to his high profile BBC coverage, the pressure was on for him to retain the crown. A quality first laydown from Headphobe left Shinra to respond and with another production of good quality breaks leaving the crowd seemingly split down the middle. Shinras ability to repeatedly pull out the groovable beats from the bag meant Headphobes crown was lost...Long live the king!

KUANTUM_WINDOW

KUANTUM_WINDOW



KUANTUM_WINDOW was a series of live electronic music events at The Arc Bar, The Cube Microplex, Cosies, and The Cooler in Bristol between 2004 and 2005.

These events focussed on showcasing the entire roster of artists on 1 Man Army Records and placed a strong emphasis on the visual accompaniment to the live electronic music.

KUANTUM_WINDOW was founded by Simon Clayden (Flooglebinder), Ned Clarke (Headphobe), and Phil Collier in close association with 1 Man Army Records.









LAPTOP BATTLE UK v1 review

LAPTOP BATTLE UK v1

"The first event, June 22nd 2006 at the Croft was absolutely wicked and big thanks to all competitors, VJ's, MC and helpers alike. The response was amazing and showed that the format is truly a success and needs to be followed up.

Well this was a first for us and as far as we know a first for Bristol (and the UK)... The Croft acted as the perfect venue, a good close arena with the availability of escape if and when needed to fill up on the beer front. It was always going to be a truly experimental event treading new boundaries for a night out and the results were wicked. What appealed to us in the first place was the ability to have a night of experimental electronic music that would be both in your face and asking a few questions but also live. Interaction was the name of the game with crowd participation/reaction at the forefront of the judges minds, getting people involved in their night out, away from the simple spectators view of the norm.

With both live visuals and live performance on show the crowd were treated to a feast for the senses that demanded participation leaving nobody behind.

The producers stepped up to the challenge with an array of technical ability, musical prowess and the odd costume laying down there fight straight to the audience. It really does have to be seen in the flesh to appreciate what was happening and truly was a first time experience for producers and crowd alike.


ROUND 1

Loz Koleszko vs Pseudoscience

The first face-off saw Pseudoscience and Loz Koleszko lay down the gauntlet for a night of the unknown. Loz Kolesko had to begin and set up the night with fierce beats and unrelenting synths that was answered by Pseudoscience likewise. Pseudoscience ended victorious with octopus like dexterity tweaking more dials than you can shake a glowstick at.

Madtek vs Defazed

So the Battle had started and the next contenders at least had the advantage of seeing what the feck was going on and responded likewise. Next up were the Madtek boyz and Defazed which proved to be a true contest as two took on one. The MadTekboyz set in with the first breakbeats of the evening using well known samples as a backdrop and giving true momentum from the stage. This was answered from Defazed with a slow musical build up to an all engulfing sound. A slight learning curve from the MC on the timings went against Madtek but there is no mercy in battle and Defazed was triumphant.

Binray vs Headphobe

Next up Headphobe took to the stage with a mixture of biting film samples and a beat delivered from the keyboard with obvious live abandon. This was answered by Binray (sporting the headgear with an onslaught of noise showing there is no limit to the number of beats that can be fitted into two minutes. Headphobe proved victorious as his stage presence and accessible sounds lead the way.

Ebola vs Shoutput

The fourth round saw Shoutput take to the stage with fat jungletek sounds that brought a firing rythem to the night as the terrier showed his teeth. The answer from Ebola saw the undisputed visual victor decked out in boxing gloves, cod peice and monitor spell out the true meaning of Battle. A little unluckily dogged by extended technical difficulties, Ebola began with the theme from Rocky and played out with some extremely tight production. Shoutput took the victory as the judges patience was tested by Ebola leaving him rightfully to have to fight another day.


SEMI-FINAL

Headphobe vs Shoutput

The second round saw the bass take on the beats and proved too much for Shoutput. Headphobe's stage presence and easily visible technique took the crowd by storm leading him to victory over a worthy adversary.



Defazed vs Pseudoscience

This bout proved to be the Battle of the big sounds as rolling synths and build up came into play. The sound was massive and the fight was hard but Defazed came out on top as his compositions proved too good setting up for an almighty final.


THE FINAL

Defazed vs Headphobe

So the final was here and two sets of five minute bouts gave the producers time to build and break to an awesome deathmatch. Defazed showed his merits as a composer building the sound for some heavy drops with extensive production and musicality bearing its head. Headphobes answer was again to take to the stage as a true performer getting the whole crowd in awe as he mashed up the keyboard producing cutting beats and searing sounds. Defazed's musicality ended in second place with no shame as the live manipulation from Headpobe proved too much. Crowned as Champion of Battle I Headphobe played the night out in true crowd pleasing fashion leaving everyone asking what would be in store for Battle II......







Massive respect to both of the finalists and all who took part as the boundaries of music were stretched to there limits giving a true spectacle for the crowd and judges alike." Jason Paine

RELEASES

ALL OUR RELEASES CAN BE ORDERED FROM OUR DIGITAL DOWNLOAD & MAILORDER SHOP


LOZ KOLESZKO


THE MORE I SLEEP



01. The More I Sleep
02. Irioles
03. 9-13
04. Equalator 6B
05. January 18
06. The Kussmaul Parabola
07. OPD

ONEMAR007EP
MP3 AUDIO

Released: July 2007

Loz Koleszko releases his follow-up EP 'The More I Sleep' in July 2007 on 1 Man Army Records. 'The More I Sleep' was written in early 2003 just before the launch night of 1 Man Army Records and the debut live show from Loz Koleszko, and has finally been released from the vaults and made available as a free download from this website.

This ambient EP marks a temporary shift in style from previous releases on 1 Man Army Records and should be listened to from start to finish in one sitting. Beautifully cinematic, this EP takes influence from Minimalist composers such as Michael Nyman and Brian Eno, while maintaining Koleszko's own inimitable style.

www.lozk.co.uk
www.myspace.com/lozkoleszko




ANORAK


IN-CAPSULATE



01. Find Out
02. In-Capsulate
03. Info Wars
04. Indescretion

ONEMAR006EP
CD / MP3

Released: August 2007

Anorak has just released his debut EP 'In-Capsulate' on 1 Man Army Records in August 2007.

Mutant-jungle, mashup mayhem!!!
These 4 tracks will have you kicking your own face off!!


www.myspace.com/johnanorak



DEFAZED


VOLATILE SYSTEMS


01. Bastard Breaks
02. Bosh The Gurn
03. Synkros
04. Trip To Bihjan

ONEMAR005EP
MP3 AUDIO

Released: May 2007

Defazed releases his follow-up EP 'Volatile Systems' in May 2007 on 1 Man Army Records. This is the 1st MP3 EP on the new 1 Man Army MP3 shop and reminds us off how brilliant Defazed's production is. This EP features 4 epic tracks which can all be downloaded individually as 256kbps mp3 files.

www.defazed.com
www.myspace.com/defazed




MICHAEL J ROCKS


GEOMETRICIDE



A1. The Geometers Of Samos
A2. Insecticide
B1. Karloff's Revenge
B2. Jostle Sock
B3. Hyperbolic Descent

ONEMAR004EP
12" VINYL / MP3

Released: November 2005

Michael J Rocks have committed 'Geometricide' with their debut 12" vinyl EP, released in November 2005 on 1 Man Army Records.

Bristol based duo Michael J Rocks produced this bold new EP of epic proportions with 5 fresh tracks of mashup Jungle/Breakcore mayhem. 'Geometricide' is fast, furious, fucked-up, and high-tech.


A1. The Geometers of Samos is a dark breakcore dancefloor spazzfest, with cutting synth stabs, pounding bass, and alien sonic architecture.

A2. Insecticide brings a shifting landscape of synths, hyper-glitches and rhythms, which twists through ragga, jungle, triple-tech and breakbeat.

B1. Karloff's Revenge is a slab of the freshest breakcore you're likely to hear, combining melting melodies with intense, intricate drum patterns.

B2. Jostle Sock slams in with hard, fast breaks and dirty synths building towards an unexpected breakdown and a forceful gabba climax.

B3. Hyperbolic Descent rounds things off with swirling feedback, chopped up breaks, metal guitar stabs and a sinister melody, on a layer of sweet noise.


Michael J Rocks are pushing all the right buttons with 'Geometricide' by producing this new underground dance music that rips up the dance music rule book.

"Awesome!!" (Simon Underground).

www.michaeljrocks.com
www.myspace.com/michaeljrocks




HEADPHOBE


METANOIA



A1. Turaing <
A2. Subway Hack
B1. Metanoia
B2. Nobody Left To Kill Me

ONEMAR003EP
12" VINYL / MP3

Released: November 2005

'Metanoia' is the debut release from Headphobe and pulls together the raw atmosphere and the excitable energy of his live show onto record for the first time with these 4 new explosive tracks of seemingly effortless Jungle/Gabba/Breakcore/Mashup!!!!!

This is full-on high-tempo hardcore electronic dance music and is now released on heavyweight 12" vinyl record with sleeves designed by Paradukt.


A1. Turaing is a rough self spawning synth-ganism, roaming freely, slicing through uncut space. Growling bass and screaming breaks at 230bpm+

A2. Subway Hack is an anarchic fusion/fission of drum n bass and gabba-techno. Gabba-style kick drums are fused with a big fat bouncing bassline.

B1. Metanoia is a precisely executed dark and euphoric spiral hardcore dance track that was produced to evoke multiple levels of paranoia on the dancefloor. Dark choirs spiral downwards into 4X4 beats.

B2. Nobody Left to Kill Me is a solid horror hardcore track with a pulsating bassline and lacerated breaks that fire out at synaptic speed. A heart-pumping adrenaline fuelled chase through the bowels of hell to a slamming gabba breakcore soundtrack.


Headphobe (aka Ned Clarke) has been rinsing the underground music scene at clubnights, parties, and raves in Bristol and across the southwest for 4 years.

His music has had people dancing in a frenzied state for hours and hours to his unique dancefloor sounds at all the best local underground clubnights including... Epoch, Kuantum_Window, Plummet, Toxic Dancehall, Dissident, DMT, Monkey!Knife!Fight!, P.R.A.N.K., Kuntz... supporting many highly respected producers including... Venetian Snares, Hellfish, Mu-Ziq, Crystal Distortion, Chris Clark, D'Kat, Hammer Damage, Black Sun Empire.

www.headphobe.com
www.myspace.com/headphobe




DEFAZED


CORTEX RUN



A1. Cortex Run
A2. Adrenochrome
B1. Thermal Metafaze
B2. Afterlife

ONEMAR002EP
12" VINYL / MP3

Released: November 2004

The debut 12" vinyl record by Defazed on 1 MAN ARMY RECORDS is a physical and cerebral assault of fractured breaks and fierce sounding basslines. Savage, drilling, bio-tech rhythms, exploding from dark organic undercurrents. Music that encapsulates a slice of daily life in Bristol. This is a new form of future dance music for the next generation of hardcore electronic music fans. Defazed has arrived!


A1. Cortex Run is a hypermanic cybertrip of mashup beats in a vortex of howling synths and hardcore bass. This is a heavy dance track to drop.

A2. Adrenochrome is a hardcore drum and bass track with splintering breaks, massive sub-bass lines, and some wicked breakdowns and build-ups.

B1. Thermal Metafaze is another ferocious dance track that rips apart time and space with some frenetic breakcore and snarling narcotic synths.

B2. Afterlife transcends through cascading spirals of euphoric bliss emerge from sub-tangents of entangled realities perforated against a backdrop of serene darkness.


"Hey.... i picked up a copy of your record from soundclash in milwaukee. good work! really like the track 'afterlife' as well as the main cut 'cortex run'. keep it up."(Doormouse - Addict Records).

"Incredible breakbeat driven hard drum n bass from this currently unknown producer. A high quality press for this young label out of Bristol and great artwork. All together a very polished product that deserves to be in both your home collection and record bag."
(Urban Decay).

"Cortex Run 12" E.P., 4 tracks of relentless breakcore drum 'n babble, gabba rave with acid klaxons, intense darkcore jungle & the kind of dedication to outright musical mayhem that would have Shitmat yelling 'glibber gackwedge arse trumpet' down the phone at 'em in Flemish. Wicked." (Norman Records).

"WOOHOO -- wikid hardtek / breakcore from bristol" (Trakheadz).

"This record is a certified killer. Its been on my playlist since I got it two months ago.It properly pushes the jungletek boundaries forward and gives all us other aspiring underground producers something to live up to. Excellent work, whens the next one out?"
(Ironside - PRANK).

"This is one of our favourite releases this year so far and is well arranged. 1 Man Army and Defazed have come out of nowhere (well, Bristol actually) to bring one of our favourite releases of the year so far. Well produced and exciting hard drum n bass (and an ambient track!), very high quality pressing and fantastic artwork. These boys deserve to go far!!!" (Urban Decay).

www.defazed.com
www.myspace.com/defazed




LOZ KOLESZKO


THE MONKEYS DANCED LIKE CUBOIDS



01. Piblokto
02. Baclofen Helix II
03. Small Insects In The Peripheral Vision
04. Destructiventerotoxemiaoflambs
05. Spongiform VI
06. The T Stands For The

ONEMAR001EP
DigipakCD / MP3

Released: February 2003

LOZ KOLESZKO goes for the jugular with his very first EP release
'THE MONKEYS DANCED LIKE CUBOIDS'.

This is the debut release on 1 Man Army Records and was released in February 2003 at EPOCH, the record label launch night, showcasing the debut live set from Loz Koleszko.

Loz Koleszko offers us a glimpse into his world of dark atmospheres, sugar coated melodies, and an impressive array of progressive breaks and beats that are twisted and spiked with digital distortions and a curious sense of humour.

The Loz Koleszko Corporate Machine: www.lozk.co.uk

Since the release of his debut EP, The Monkeys Danced Like Cuboids, on 1 Man Army Records in 2003, Loz Koleszko has continued to win over new music fans with his quirky electronica and legendary underground live sets around the UK.

Loz has performed his unique brand of electronica at events such as Toxic Dancehall, Monkey!Knife!Fight!, Plummet, Ordio Enjinn, Supertrigger, Ghost Explorers, and Club Choke and has been seen around the country performing alongside artists such as Plaid, Cylob, Mike Dred and B12.

http://www.myspace.com/lozkoleszko




MANUFACTURING


Our releases are professionally mastered at OPTIMUM MASTERING in Bristol by Matt Colton. We press our releases onto high-quality heavyweight 12" vinyl records at professional manufacturing houses, before they are packaged and shrinkwrapped for general sale.

Optimum Masting, Bristol




















We believe in producing high-quality products so we never cut costs on manufacturing to ensure that you have a great listening experience from 1 MAN ARMY RECORDS.

Thanks for listening.

Friday 9 February 2007

LAPTOP BATTLE UK

LAPTOP BATTLE UK is a new style of music event, featuring 8 producers, 3 judges, 2 VJs, and an MC. The focus is on showcasing new experimental music, not rivalry.

The producers are paired up at random and entered into an elimination style laptop music battle. The producers are given 3 minutes slots to influence to crowd and the judges with their chosen sounds. The winner of each round will move up through the table to eventuate as Laptop Battle champion!

The idea behind the event is to push the envelope of live manipulation of self-composed electronic music. Therefore the "judges will be looking for originality, composition, improvisation, live manipulation and performance". Technical craftsmanship needs to be partnered with the ability to generate a positive crowd response.

Laptop Battle UK champions:

Bristol Battle 5 : DEFAZED
London Battle 1 : RANDOMOIDZ
Bristol Battle 4 : THE FEZ
Bristol Battle 3 : HEADPHOBE & DEFAZED
Bristol Battle 2 : SHINRA
Bristol Battle 1 : HEADPHOBE



Check the LAPTOP BATTLE UK websites for details of upcoming events...

www.laptopbattleuk.com
www.myspace.com/laptopbattleuk













Click here to read the LAPTOP BATTLE II Review


Click here to read the LAPTOP BATTLE I Review