Cassetteboy
Encyclopedia
Cassetteboy is the stage name of Mark Bolton and Steve Warlin (an author from Brixton). It was only upon the confirmation of their third album's release date in 2008 that they came forward and made their identities known. Their initial appearance was on the Di and Dodi Do Die 7" Record
released in 2000 on the record label
Barry's Bootlegs which is somehow related to the electronic music
label Spymania
. As well as producing two albums of their own, they have appeared on an album with DJ Rubbish entitled Inside A Whale's Cock Vol 1, which includes humorous cover versions of songs by Alanis Morissette
and Jennifer Lopez
(a skiffle
cover of Jenny from the block
), along with a parodical
take on a song by The Streets
.
Their musical approach can be traced from the origins of sampling
, musique concrète
and the modern approach sometimes called Plunderphonics
. Most pieces are painstakingly constructed from thousands of audio snippets taken from TV, radio, film and popular music; The Parker Tapes
was constructed using the laborious, primitive process of manually splicing segments of audio together via a two-deck tape system, or "ghettoblaster"; later albums are constructed digitally using sound editing software.
Their newest album entitled Carry On Breathing
has been described as "a concept album, but don't worry, it still has knob gags". The concept of this album is that it loosely follows the human life from birth to death, through work, childhood, growing up and depression. This album showcases the most philosophical of their work to date ("The only cure for existence is death") while still being humorous.
One half of Cassetteboy released the book Earth Inc., a satirical novel about consumerism, under the pen name Michael Bollen. The book took six and a half years to write, and was released in 2008.
The context of their work is often political, but always maintains a humorous
aspect. Their most watched YouTube video is Cassetteboy vs The Bloody Apprentice and currently has had over 2 million views as of September 2010.
Cassetteboy contributed some of the video clips for spoof clip show
2009 Unwrapped with Miranda Hart
.
On 7 May 2010, a video clip by Cassetteboy appeared on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
using clips of Alan Sugar.
Cassetteboy is credited on at least one episode of BBC Radio 4
's spoof clippings show Listen Against.
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
released in 2000 on the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Barry's Bootlegs which is somehow related to the electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
label Spymania
Spymania
Spymania is a British independent record label, which has released music by Squarepusher, Jamie Lidell, MDK, Si Begg, Wafta, Cassetteboy, Spandex, and Steven Taylor ....
. As well as producing two albums of their own, they have appeared on an album with DJ Rubbish entitled Inside A Whale's Cock Vol 1, which includes humorous cover versions of songs by Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
and Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
(a skiffle
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
cover of Jenny from the block
Jenny from the Block
"Jenny from the Block" is a song by American singer Jennifer Lopez, featuring American rappers Styles P and Jadakiss. Written by Lopez, Troy Oliver, Mr. Deyo, Samuel Barnes, and Jean-Claude Olivier and produced by Cory Rooney, Oliver, and Poke & Tone, it was released to radio in late September 2002...
), along with a parodical
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
take on a song by The Streets
The Streets
The Streets were a British rap/garage project from Birmingham, United Kingdom, led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Skinner and has included a myriad of other contributors most notably drummer Johnny Drum Machine, vocalist Kevin Mark Trail and the Italian-American beatmaker Leroy.The...
.
Their musical approach can be traced from the origins of sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
, musique concrète
Musique concrète
Musique concrète is a form of electroacoustic music that utilises acousmatic sound as a compositional resource. The compositional material is not restricted to the inclusion of sounds derived from musical instruments or voices, nor to elements traditionally thought of as "musical"...
and the modern approach sometimes called Plunderphonics
Plunderphonics
Plunderphonics is a term coined by composer John Oswald in 1985 in his essay Plunderphonics, or Audio Piracy as a Compositional Prerogative. It has since been applied to any music made by taking one or more existing audio recordings and altering them in some way to make a new composition...
. Most pieces are painstakingly constructed from thousands of audio snippets taken from TV, radio, film and popular music; The Parker Tapes
The Parker Tapes
The Parker Tapes is the debut album from UK group Cassetteboy. The duo claim it took them 7 years to finish. It contains many short tracks and a long tracklisting.- Overview :...
was constructed using the laborious, primitive process of manually splicing segments of audio together via a two-deck tape system, or "ghettoblaster"; later albums are constructed digitally using sound editing software.
Their newest album entitled Carry On Breathing
Carry On Breathing
-Overview:This is Cassetteboy's latest album, released on Barry's Bootlegs in 2008. It follows the life of a person, from birth to death. It contains the usual mix of samples from a variety of sources, including Eastenders, Doctor Who, American Dad, The Simpsons, and many other samples taken from...
has been described as "a concept album, but don't worry, it still has knob gags". The concept of this album is that it loosely follows the human life from birth to death, through work, childhood, growing up and depression. This album showcases the most philosophical of their work to date ("The only cure for existence is death") while still being humorous.
One half of Cassetteboy released the book Earth Inc., a satirical novel about consumerism, under the pen name Michael Bollen. The book took six and a half years to write, and was released in 2008.
The context of their work is often political, but always maintains a humorous
Humour
Humour or humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement...
aspect. Their most watched YouTube video is Cassetteboy vs The Bloody Apprentice and currently has had over 2 million views as of September 2010.
Cassetteboy contributed some of the video clips for spoof clip show
Clip show
A clip show is an episode of a television series that consists primarily of excerpts from previous episodes. Most clip shows feature the format of a frame story in which cast members recall past events from past installments of the show, depicted with a clip of the event presented as a flashback. ...
2009 Unwrapped with Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart
Miranda Katharine Hart Dyke , known professionally as Miranda Hart, is an English actress, writer and stand-up comedienne. She writes and stars in the BBC sitcom Miranda...
.
On 7 May 2010, a video clip by Cassetteboy appeared on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross was a British comedy chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 2 November 2001. The programme featured Ross's take on current topics of conversation, guest interviews and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
using clips of Alan Sugar.
Cassetteboy is credited on at least one episode of BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's spoof clippings show Listen Against.
Selected discography
- The Parker TapesThe Parker TapesThe Parker Tapes is the debut album from UK group Cassetteboy. The duo claim it took them 7 years to finish. It contains many short tracks and a long tracklisting.- Overview :...
2002, Barry's Bootlegs/SpymaniaSpymaniaSpymania is a British independent record label, which has released music by Squarepusher, Jamie Lidell, MDK, Si Begg, Wafta, Cassetteboy, Spandex, and Steven Taylor .... - Festive Christmas 2002, Barry's Bootlegs
- Inside a Whale's Cock Vol 1 2003, Barry's Bootlegs
- Dead HorseDead Horse (album)Released in 2005, Dead Horse is the second studio album by Cassetteboy released by Barry's Bootlegs, and is the follow-up to The Parker Tapes...
2005, Barry's Bootlegs - Mick's TapeMick's Tape- Overview :This album contains some mash-up work by Cassetteboy, but also samples other tracks by various artists. Tracks by other artists include Squarepusher's "The Exploding Psychology", "Good Morning! How are you? Shut up!" by Ivor Cutler and "I Hear Voices" by MF Doom. Nearly all tracks not...
2005, AntidoteAntidote Records-Currently signed artists:*Abdominal*Aspects*DJ Format*DJ MK*DJ Paul Nice*DJ Shortkut*DJ Yoda*DJ Yoda & Dan Greenpeace*Juju & Bloody Moon*Madlib*The Nextmen*Osymyso*Prince Paul*Quasimoto*Steinski*Ugly Duckling... - Carry On BreathingCarry On Breathing-Overview:This is Cassetteboy's latest album, released on Barry's Bootlegs in 2008. It follows the life of a person, from birth to death. It contains the usual mix of samples from a variety of sources, including Eastenders, Doctor Who, American Dad, The Simpsons, and many other samples taken from...
2008, Barry's Bootlegs