Combo Audio
Encyclopedia
Combo Audio was a New Wave
group from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
best known for their song Romanticide.
was brought in to manage the group. The group signed with EMI America and produced an EP
Combo Audio that was released in late 1982. Dana Walden produced the EP
with The Psychedelic Furs engineer Ian Taylor engineering and mixing with Paul Klingberg as second engineer. Several years of nearly non-stop touring in the Midwest United States followed. The group played in concert clubs and university shows and large venues. They cobilled with or opened for the Talking Heads
, U2
, Billy Idol
, Duran Duran
, The Tubes
, and INXS
.
Starting in 1984, fissures began to appear. There was a disagreement between Secret Records and EMI
over ownership of the group. Kellogg signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music which led to more disagreements. In the middle of this to the dismay of the group EMI
began to push the band to produce a more "commercial" sound. Legal complaints and threats of litigation appeared. While awaiting resolution of the disputes EMI
cut support to the band. In 1985, after a company shakeup EMI
fired the group. In 1986, Kellogg and Thomas attempted to revive the group. The group with various members performed live in 1986 and 1987.
cable music subscription service the second went into "power rotation" on MTV
in early 1983 following the EP
release. The song was the "top single" in Billboard
and regular support and airplay followed in New York
, Boston
, Chicago
, St. Louis
and Los Angeles
. The song became available on the first volume of the compilation series, Living in Oblivion: The 80's Greatest Hits in 1993. NME
describes the song as a "New Wave Classic".
. He helped produced the first 5.1 music mixes for the introduction of Dolby Digital
on Laserdisc
. He has produced 5.1. surround sound albums for several Classic rock
groups. The 5.1 DVD Audio release of 4
for Foreigner
became one of the best selling DVD Audio surround music releases of all time. He also did consulting work for Britney Spears
Live in Las Vegas. In 2005, Kellogg founded the Jhana Music Group music label which was scheduled to launch in 2008. He worked with Rocky Maffitt on his album scheduled for 2008 release. Maffitt while better known as a member of the soft rock
outfit Champaign
was briefly a member of the revived Combo Audio. Kellogg currently lives in Hollywood, California
with his significant other
and daughter.
Angus Thomas has toured with Miles Davis
, Sting, Peter Wolf
and bassist Darryl Jones
. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles
to work with Paul Klingberg at Ignited Productions and studios. He became a part of the European Jazz Circuit during the 1990s. In the late 1990s, he released a CD entitled The Overdog. In the early 2000s, he worked for and played on the soundtrack for The King of Queens
and well as other shows and commercials. He continues work and play in a Los Angeles
studio as well as continuing to work and perform in Europe. He has residences in Los Angeles
and Amsterdam
.
Rick Neuhaus became a finishing painter and artist in Chicago
where his work is still seen in many parts of that city. Hearing a djembe
at a West African drumming performance inspired a third career. He is a member of the African drumming ensemble Dahui in Chicago and has led and played in drumming circles as well as leading workshops. He lives in Chicago with his significant other. His son has had success in competitive skateboarding.
In the early 1980s, Tom Broske formed Nix86 and later joined Last Gentlemen music groups. He has played for a number of groups and projects including the GinAtomics and The Spanics. He currently resides near Madison
, Wisconsin
with his wife and daughter.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
best known for their song Romanticide.
History
Combo Audio was formed as a vehicle for songs written by John Kellogg and collaborator Rick Neuhus that evolved into a band. Several of their songs began to be played on local radio stations before their first gig. The group signed with Secret Records. Following creative differences original bassist Tom Broske was replaced by Angus Thomas. At this point Ken Adamany who had previously managed Cheap TrickCheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
was brought in to manage the group. The group signed with EMI America and produced an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Combo Audio that was released in late 1982. Dana Walden produced the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
with The Psychedelic Furs engineer Ian Taylor engineering and mixing with Paul Klingberg as second engineer. Several years of nearly non-stop touring in the Midwest United States followed. The group played in concert clubs and university shows and large venues. They cobilled with or opened for the Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
, Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, The Tubes
The Tubes
The Tubes are a San Francisco-based rock band, whose 1975 debut album included the hit single, "White Punks on Dope". During its first fifteen years or so, the band's live performances combined quasi-pornography with wild satires of media, consumerism, and politics...
, and INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
.
Starting in 1984, fissures began to appear. There was a disagreement between Secret Records and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
over ownership of the group. Kellogg signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music which led to more disagreements. In the middle of this to the dismay of the group EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
began to push the band to produce a more "commercial" sound. Legal complaints and threats of litigation appeared. While awaiting resolution of the disputes EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
cut support to the band. In 1985, after a company shakeup EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
fired the group. In 1986, Kellogg and Thomas attempted to revive the group. The group with various members performed live in 1986 and 1987.
Romanticide
Romanticide was released as a single for Secret Records in 1982 and as part of the Combo Audio EP. Two videos for the song were made. The first was played on the RockAmericaRockamerica
RockAmerica is a music video subscription service for professional disc jockeys based in New York City, New York. Founded in 1980 by Ed Steinberg, it was the first company to offer music videos on a subscription basis, and provided a vital channel before the establishment of MTV and other...
cable music subscription service the second went into "power rotation" on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
in early 1983 following the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
release. The song was the "top single" in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
and regular support and airplay followed in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The song became available on the first volume of the compilation series, Living in Oblivion: The 80's Greatest Hits in 1993. NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
describes the song as a "New Wave Classic".
Post Combo Audio Years
John Kellogg has done extensive work with surround soundSurround sound
Surround sound encompasses a range of techniques such as for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an audio source with audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. Surround sound is characterized by a listener location or sweet spot where the audio effects work best, and...
. He helped produced the first 5.1 music mixes for the introduction of Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital is the name for audio compression technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories. It was originally called Dolby Stereo Digital until 1994. Except for Dolby TrueHD, the audio compression is lossy. The first use of Dolby Digital was to provide digital sound in cinemas from 35mm film prints...
on Laserdisc
Laserdisc
LaserDisc was a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium. Initially licensed, sold, and marketed as MCA DiscoVision in North America in 1978, the technology was previously referred to interally as Optical Videodisc System, Reflective Optical Videodisc, Laser Optical...
. He has produced 5.1. surround sound albums for several Classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
groups. The 5.1 DVD Audio release of 4
4 (Foreigner album)
-Foreigner:*Lou Gramm – Lead vocal, percussion*Mick Jones – guitar, keyboards, background vocal*Rick Wills – bass, background vocal*Dennis Elliott – drums, vocals, background vocal-Additional personnel:...
for Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
became one of the best selling DVD Audio surround music releases of all time. He also did consulting work for Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
Live in Las Vegas. In 2005, Kellogg founded the Jhana Music Group music label which was scheduled to launch in 2008. He worked with Rocky Maffitt on his album scheduled for 2008 release. Maffitt while better known as a member of the soft rock
Soft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
outfit Champaign
Champaign (band)
Champaign was a 1980s United States R&B band with adult contemporary leanings, best known for their 1981 hit, "How 'Bout Us."-Career:The mixed-race septet, who named themselves after their hometown of Champaign, Illinois, included Pauli Carman and Rena Jones on vocals; Michael Day and Dana Walden...
was briefly a member of the revived Combo Audio. Kellogg currently lives in Hollywood, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
with his significant other
Significant other
Significant other is colloquially used as a gender-blind term for a person's partner in an intimate relationship without disclosing or presuming anything about marital status, relationship status, or sexual orientation, as it is vague enough to avoid offense by using a term that an individual...
and daughter.
Angus Thomas has toured with Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, Sting, Peter Wolf
Peter Wolf
Peter Wolf is an American Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock and Roll musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band from 1967 to 1983; and for a successful musical solo career to date with writing partner Will Jennings.- Life and career :Wolf was born in the Bronx, New York...
and bassist Darryl Jones
Darryl Jones
Darryl Jones , also known as "The Munch", is an American bass guitarist. Jones began his notable career as a session musician, where he gained the experience and confidence to play with some of the most highly regarded recording artists, in jazz, blues, and rock music...
. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to work with Paul Klingberg at Ignited Productions and studios. He became a part of the European Jazz Circuit during the 1990s. In the late 1990s, he released a CD entitled The Overdog. In the early 2000s, he worked for and played on the soundtrack for The King of Queens
The King of Queens
The King of Queens is an American sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007.This show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television ,and CBS Television Studios in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures...
and well as other shows and commercials. He continues work and play in a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
studio as well as continuing to work and perform in Europe. He has residences in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
.
Rick Neuhaus became a finishing painter and artist in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
where his work is still seen in many parts of that city. Hearing a djembe
Djembe
A djembe also known as jembe, jenbe, djbobimbe, jymbe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin-covered drum meant played with bare hands....
at a West African drumming performance inspired a third career. He is a member of the African drumming ensemble Dahui in Chicago and has led and played in drumming circles as well as leading workshops. He lives in Chicago with his significant other. His son has had success in competitive skateboarding.
In the early 1980s, Tom Broske formed Nix86 and later joined Last Gentlemen music groups. He has played for a number of groups and projects including the GinAtomics and The Spanics. He currently resides near Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
with his wife and daughter.
Members
- John Kellogg - vocal guitars keyboards effects percussion
- Rick Neuhaus - drums percussion electronic percussion programming
- Tom Broeske - bass
- Angus Thomas - backing vocal basses bass pedals effects