Cyberphunk Party with Dominic Lamb & Frank' E

Sunday 11th of March


 We arrived at the venue at about 9:30 and immediately we got in. No much crowd in the door and not at all a que... weird ?!? Moving "deeper" into the venue the place was not empty but certainly not packed. Kostas was playing some warm up tunes and no signs of Dominic or Frank either. At about 10:00 o'clock the guests arrived and the crowd started to gather too. Kostas handed the decks to Dominic who kicked off like a hurricane. He started with a funked up cut and then off he went into some speedcore psychedelic trance that go the floor into orbit.

Things got harder and Dominic won the crowd big time. Moving gradually to more traditional motor driven cutz the crowd seemed to enjoy the music, dancing and having a good time. Speaking for the crowd I would say that it was good, no kiddies (not that this is actually a problem but u know the score) lots of ladies and funky birdies doing their thing. They seem to enjoy the music and having a laughter in the floor.

Crazy man and overall good guy Frank' E followed after Mr. Lamb and played a set full of quality. Musically it was very good (I would actually like him to move into more experimental waterz) and really psychedelic with analogue (or digital) noises bouncing off and into the mix, creating a stunning "out there" atmosphere. The thing though that really amazed me was the flow of the set, it was fantastic the fluidity between tracks was awesome, one of the best sets I've heard this year and the last track Frank played -before giving decks back to Dominic for a Back 2 Back session- was outstanding.

Checkpoint! Dominic took over and played some EQed to death tracks that are more underground and dark than the subway itself. Subtle drum - programming and boosted bass frequencies, almost no high frequencies and some brain boggling pads composed an alien atmosphere. My only argument here is that with that sort of tracks the lights should be all down. Unfortunately we couldn't stay for the back 2 back session as my throat (there is a fucking flue around u know) had a different opinion about psychedelic music. We did though had some time to speak with Frank' E about the past, present and future of one of the most influential bands in the psychedelic scene, Koxbox (not Kobox as the scroller on the video wall insisted saying)

First question for Frank was what happened with Peter Candy (ex member of Koxbox). Frank said that Peter moved into other things and his is not interested in music any more, "he is only making music for friends..." Frank replied. This is the reason why "Dragon Tales" (the band's second album) sounds so different from track to track. We also asked him about the decision on keeping the Koxbox project and not just sticking to Psychopod (Frank' E and Ian Ion), on this subject Frank said that they are not doing it for commercial reasons but why they see a different sound emerging for these two projects. He also said that they are looking for a record label to release their 4th Koxbox album (if this is not good news then what is) and they will start working on it as soon as possible.

For the Psychopod project they have some remixes pipelined for the Rhino crew and some releases here and there. Musically they adopted the digital age by using the world - famous Pro Tools © software and hardware combination, giving them more freedom to utilise ideas. "The sound was outstanding out of Pro Tools" said the man and he couldn't hide his excitement about it!

Further more we ask him about the set he was about to play and said that he was about to blur boundaries playing lots of different styles (he promised much material from Logic Bomb). By me his set was outstanding, it was a full psychedelic story with Frank's personal DJ laser/needle writing. Once more he proved what a great DJ he is by managing to keep satisfied both the experimental and traditional trancers.

Next question was about most influential band in the psychedelic scene by him. The answer I must say amazed me. Frank replied that his all time favourite band was Eat Static. For those that want to check more, Eat Static have recently released some material on Atomic Records and Mesmobeat, so give a search on the Chaishop Bazaar you may find something that interests you. At the present time, Koxbox are occupied making score music for a Danish film. Most of the tracks are ready and some of them can be heard at the Koxbox site on the film music link. Also Frank's favourite Koxbox remix (out of the Major Problem in Australia double 12" pack) is by the Saafi Bros, a dubbed out ambient remix of the bombastic trancefloor smasher "Crunchy Moles (A major problem in Australia)".

Finally Frank told us about a great party he had in a festival with five tends playing all types of music. Frank said how much he enjoyed playing for a more mature and older crowd than the usual and how people treated all kinds of music with the same respect, unlike most of the U.K. press. My comment about Frank is the he is a very nice guy indeed, friendly with no attitude (infact he looked embarrassed when a couple of girlies asked for an autograph) and willing to ask our questions. It was an honour for us talking to a guy that we really admire (you should by now know that we love Koxbox here in Chaishop.gr). Personally I believe they are the best psychedelic band ever in the trance scene and that "Forever After" is more than a classic, I imagine people teaching this opus in schools in the year 3020.

Overall we had a great time and most of the crowd seem to me that felt the same way that night. Once more I have to thank Adreas for making it happen and all the Cyberfunk crew for their efforts on bringing quality DJs and bands... Last question Frank... is there any chance in experiencing Koxbox live ?

Koxbox / Psychopod (or Saikopod) essentail releases :

1. Koxbox "Forever After" - (Harthouse Records) 2xLP/CD

Sven Vath's nearly mythical trance label released a record that took the psycehdelic scene by storm back in 1994.

2. Psychopod "Dreampod/Tripod" - (T.I.P Records) 12"

T.I.P's press release was raving about a 12" that introduced Psychopod on the trance map.

3. Koxbox "Dragon Tales" - (Blue Room Records) 2xLP/CD

Second visit of the Danish guys finds Peter Candy moving away from the band but the album was a trip we will never forget.

4. Psychopod "Headlines E.P" - (T.I.P Records) 2x12"/CD

One of the best E.Ps I have heard in my life, "Headlines" defines and ends the term pyschedelic techno with the collaboration of Psychopod and Steve Psyko in "Stop the Carnage".

5. Koxbox "Forever After" - (Matsuri Productions) Re-Release CD

Matching their efferts for quality at that time R.I.P label Matsuri re-release "Forever After".

6. Koxbox "The Great Unknown" - (Liquid Audio Recordings) 3xLP/CD

Long awaited third album from the duo shakes some butts with its phunkie cuts.

Visit official Koxbox site at : www.koxbox.dk

Sequential-X for chaishop.gr

-->Back to news<--