Gang Gang Dance
Encyclopedia
Gang Gang Dance is an American experimental music
band based in Manhattan
, New York City
. The band is known for its distinctive sound which features synthesized electronics and percussion, plus the varied vocal styles of singer Lizzi Bougatsos. They have toured internationally and released several albums.
in 1993 and played in The Cranium. In 1998 the band released one album, A New Music for a New Kitchen on the Slowdime
record label, which was described as "deconstructionist anti-music" and "insane, rule-breaking almost-noise", before breaking up. While on tour, DeGraw and DeWitt met vocalist Liz Bougatsos (who joined them some years later), a frontwoman for an experimental New York band called Russia at the time. After The Cranium's break-up DeGraw and DeWitt relocated to New York City. DeGraw, along with guitarist Josh Diamond (later a Gang Gang Dance member too) performed in film director Harmony Korine
's experimental project SSAB Songs. In the early 2000s DeGraw, DeWitt, and Diamond formed Death and Dying, a short-lived band which soon, with the addition of Bougatsos and vocalist Nathan Maddox, evolved into Gang Gang Dance. In August 2002 Maddox, aged 25, died after having been struck by lightning during a thunderstorm he was watching from the rooftop of a building in Manhattan's Chinatown
. As a four-some, the band signed to Brooklyn
label The Social Registry
record label in 2004 to release the debut Revival of the Shittest album, followed by Hillulah EP (2005) and the second album God's Money
(2005). Critics praised Bougatsos' unique approach. As Jo-Anne Green of AllMusic argued, "without her, God's Money would be a haunting journey through an ever-shifting electronic world... With her, the musical experience is far more difficult, as she cuts across the grain of the atmospheres and moods, suggesting the group will never sit comfortably in any niche but its own." In 2007, The Social Registry released Retina Riddim DVD/CD, a year later Saint Dymphna followed, marking a shift in the band's sound "...toward employing grime
as compositional elements, while relying on more structured electronic workouts in general."
In August 2008, the band conducted the Brooklyn
chapter of 88 Boadrum
. A month later, the fourth album, Saint Dymphna
, was released to positive reviews. On July 22, 2009 Gang Gang Dance played on a Russian Ferry in Japanese waters with their friends the Boredoms during an eclipse.
In 2010, the band received publishing royalties
from British group Florence and the Machine
. Members of Gang Gang Dance noticed that a line ('how quickly the glamour fades') in "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
" was lifted from their song "House Jam" and approached Florence and the Machine's label who acknowledged that infringement
had occurred. Florence Welch
, the bands singer and main songwriter, had openly talked about her love of the band in interviews prior to the discovery, and Gang Gang Dance are thanked in the liner notes of copies of the album printed before they contacted her management. Welch claims she always intended the band to be credited and receive royalties, saying the fact they didn't until the mistake was highlighted was an error on the part of her management.
In 2010 Gang Gang Dance signed with UK label 4AD
. A limited-edition EP, recorded in 2007, was also released on the UK Latitudes
label. The band were chosen by Animal Collective
to perform at their All Tomorrow's Parties
festival in May 2011.
EPs
DVDs
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
band based in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The band is known for its distinctive sound which features synthesized electronics and percussion, plus the varied vocal styles of singer Lizzi Bougatsos. They have toured internationally and released several albums.
Career
Gang Gang Dance were formed in 2001 by keyboardist Brian DeGraw and drummer Tim DeWitt, who first met in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1993 and played in The Cranium. In 1998 the band released one album, A New Music for a New Kitchen on the Slowdime
Slowdime Records
Slowdime Records was a record label started in 1996 by Juan Luis Carrera and Amanda MacKaye. The label was originally started, according to a label bio, “with the intent to document the new inclinations and innovations that began to surface within the Washington D.C...
record label, which was described as "deconstructionist anti-music" and "insane, rule-breaking almost-noise", before breaking up. While on tour, DeGraw and DeWitt met vocalist Liz Bougatsos (who joined them some years later), a frontwoman for an experimental New York band called Russia at the time. After The Cranium's break-up DeGraw and DeWitt relocated to New York City. DeGraw, along with guitarist Josh Diamond (later a Gang Gang Dance member too) performed in film director Harmony Korine
Harmony Korine
The story is told from the perspective of a young man suffering from untreated schizophrenia, played by Ewen Bremner, as he tries to understand his deteriorating world. Julien's abusive father is played by Werner Herzog...
's experimental project SSAB Songs. In the early 2000s DeGraw, DeWitt, and Diamond formed Death and Dying, a short-lived band which soon, with the addition of Bougatsos and vocalist Nathan Maddox, evolved into Gang Gang Dance. In August 2002 Maddox, aged 25, died after having been struck by lightning during a thunderstorm he was watching from the rooftop of a building in Manhattan's Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
. As a four-some, the band signed to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
label The Social Registry
The Social Registry
The Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
record label in 2004 to release the debut Revival of the Shittest album, followed by Hillulah EP (2005) and the second album God's Money
God's Money
God's Money is the self-produced third studio album by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance, released in 2005 by The Social Registry...
(2005). Critics praised Bougatsos' unique approach. As Jo-Anne Green of AllMusic argued, "without her, God's Money would be a haunting journey through an ever-shifting electronic world... With her, the musical experience is far more difficult, as she cuts across the grain of the atmospheres and moods, suggesting the group will never sit comfortably in any niche but its own." In 2007, The Social Registry released Retina Riddim DVD/CD, a year later Saint Dymphna followed, marking a shift in the band's sound "...toward employing grime
Grime
Grime is a style of music that emerged from Bow, East London, England in the early 2000s, primarily as a development of UK garage, dancehall, and hip hop...
as compositional elements, while relying on more structured electronic workouts in general."
In August 2008, the band conducted the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
chapter of 88 Boadrum
88 Boadrum
88 Boadrum was a duo of free concerts following 2007's 77 Boadrum, hosted by Japanese noise rock band Boredoms. The concerts took place at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California and the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn, New York and featured a new 88-minute composition.Each concert...
. A month later, the fourth album, Saint Dymphna
Saint Dymphna (album)
Saint Dymphna is the self-produced fourth studio album by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance, released in 2008 by The Social Registry...
, was released to positive reviews. On July 22, 2009 Gang Gang Dance played on a Russian Ferry in Japanese waters with their friends the Boredoms during an eclipse.
In 2010, the band received publishing royalties
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
from British group Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine is the recording name of English musician Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide music for her voice. Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul...
. Members of Gang Gang Dance noticed that a line ('how quickly the glamour fades') in "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
"Rabbit Heart " is a 2009 single by British indie rock band, Florence and the Machine. It was released on the Universal Island Record Label and Moshi Moshi Records on 21 June 2009. It is their second most successful single to-date, peaking at 12 on the UK Singles Chart, only bettered by the cover...
" was lifted from their song "House Jam" and approached Florence and the Machine's label who acknowledged that infringement
Infringement
Infringement, when used alone, has several possible meanings in the English language.In a legal context, an infringement refers to the violation of a law or a right. This includes intellectual property infringements such as:*Copyright infringement...
had occurred. Florence Welch
Florence Welch
Florence Leontine Mary Welch is an English singer-songwriter, best known worldwide as the lead singer of Florence and the Machine...
, the bands singer and main songwriter, had openly talked about her love of the band in interviews prior to the discovery, and Gang Gang Dance are thanked in the liner notes of copies of the album printed before they contacted her management. Welch claims she always intended the band to be credited and receive royalties, saying the fact they didn't until the mistake was highlighted was an error on the part of her management.
In 2010 Gang Gang Dance signed with UK label 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
. A limited-edition EP, recorded in 2007, was also released on the UK Latitudes
Southern Records
Southern Records is an independent record label closely associated with Crass Records, Corpus Christi Records and Dischord Records. It is based in London and previously had offices in Chicago , Le Havre and Berlin .Southern was originally a recording studio owned and operated by John Loder...
label. The band were chosen by Animal Collective
Animal Collective
Animal Collective is an experimental psychedelic band originally from Baltimore, Maryland, currently based in New York City. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare , Panda Bear , Deakin , and Geologist...
to perform at their All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival in May 2011.
Discography
Studio albums- Revival of the Shittest - (The Social RegistryThe Social RegistryThe Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
) (2004) - Gang Gang Dance (FUSETRON) (2004) -
- God's MoneyGod's MoneyGod's Money is the self-produced third studio album by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance, released in 2005 by The Social Registry...
(The Social RegistryThe Social RegistryThe Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
) (2005) - Saint DymphnaSaint Dymphna (album)Saint Dymphna is the self-produced fourth studio album by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance, released in 2008 by The Social Registry...
(The Social RegistryThe Social RegistryThe Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
/WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) (2008) - Eye Contact (4AD4AD4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
) (2011) (UK chart peak: #150)
EPs
- Hillulah (The Social RegistryThe Social RegistryThe Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
) (2005) - RAWWARRAWWARRAWWAR is the self-produced second EP by American experimental music band Gang Gang Dance, released in 2007 by The Social Registry. The EP received positive reviews from critics.-Track listing:#"Nicoman" – 4:16#"Oxygen Demo Riddim" – 5:12...
(The Social RegistryThe Social RegistryThe Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
/Young TurksYoung Turks (record label)Young Turks is a British independent record label which was launched by Caius Pawson with XL Recordings in 2006. The label has grown into a successful and influential independent record label...
) (2007) - KamakuraKamakura (EP)Kamakura is the third EP released by the New York based band Gang Gang Dance. It was recorded in August 2007 for Southern Records Latitudes series. It was released in August 2010 as a limited edition, pressing of 1000 hand-numbered, rubber stamped CDs and 1000 vinyl only ....
(LatitudesSouthern RecordsSouthern Records is an independent record label closely associated with Crass Records, Corpus Christi Records and Dischord Records. It is based in London and previously had offices in Chicago , Le Havre and Berlin .Southern was originally a recording studio owned and operated by John Loder...
) (2010)
DVDs
- Retina Riddim (w/CD) (The Social RegistryThe Social RegistryThe Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
) (2007)
External links
- Official website
- Gang Gang Dance Interviewed on Identitytheory.com
- Gang Gang Dance – Hot Chip and Klaxons' Favourite Band NMENMEThe 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...
October 2008. - Dummymag.com interview with Lizzie, explaining her musical and singing influences, May 2009
- November 2008 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
- 2011 interview with Gang Gang Dance delving into history and influences