Mike Dred
Encyclopedia
Mike Dred is the general pseudonym of experimental techno DJ, producer, and sound engineer Michael C. Cullen, b. 1967, of Lowestoft, UK. He has been a leading DJ since 1983, a producer since 1988, a sound designer since 1992, and is considered an important figure in the development of acid techno
and innovative usage of the Roland TB-303
, associating him with fellow artists Tom Middleton
, Aphex Twin
, and Matthew Herbert
.
He is also known as The Kosmik Kommando, Universal Indicator
, Chimera, Machine Codes, Space Avenger, and DJ Judge Dred. He was the first artist other than Richard D. James to release a project on Rephlex. His clear vinyl "Kosmik Kommando EP" was the 3rd release and was given a catalogue number CAT007 on account of his interest in James Bond. In addition, the Universal Indicator records released on Rephlex are amongst the most collectible recordings in the history of techno
music. Mike Dred established the Machine Codes record label in 1993 and also recorded for R&S Records
and R&S Records offshoot Diatomyc. He has also collaborated extensively with the electro-acoustic artist Peter Green (not to be confused with his namesake, the blues-rock guitarist Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
fame) and has produced a one-off collaboration with techno
producer Dr. Fernando.
scene, Mike Dred received an MSc with Distinction in Sound Design from the University of Edinburgh in 2005. Mike Dred was the first DJ producer to get sponsored by the Arts Council of Great Britain and the National Lottery. His works are often used for educational purposes and a selection is part of the prestigious Music Performance Research Centre (MPRC) collection at the Barbican Centre, London. UK. The publication ' The Rough Guide to Techno', described Mike as “The Jimi Hendrix
of the 303” and “Full on Acid
Genius”.
As well as presenting new developments in electronic and computer music, Mike has also given lectures on Sound Design and Synthesis.
Mike is the inspiration behind Electroacoustic Music being represented on a more popular level. His works with Peter Green dating from 1995 educated & inspired the likes of Richard D. James a.k.a. Aphex Twin to discover the genre culminating in the signing of LPs by Robert Normandeau, Senior Lecturer in Acoustics and Electroacoustics at the Universite de Montreal, Canada and experimentalist Pierre Bastien from France. This helped further establish Rephlex Records as the premier UK electronic label.
Mike Dred and Peter Green’s early sonic experiments prompted Dave Robinson, then Editor of Future Music (November 1995, Issue 37), to write: "We boldly call ourselves Future Music. But how often do we bring you something so forward-looking, yet at the same time so contemporary that it might - just might set the agenda for the next post-techno, post-analogue phase?"
Mike Dred is on the * SPNM composer short list for 2005 to 2008 using his given name Michael Cullen.
Acid techno
Acid techno is the term used to describe a style of techno that developed out of late 1980s Chicago Acid house. Acid house was essentially house music made with a specific sound, obtained by using very distinctive instruments created mainly by Roland, such as the TB-303 for bass and lead sounds,...
and innovative usage of the Roland TB-303
Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 Bass Line is a bass synthesizer with built-in sequencer manufactured by the Roland corporation from late 1981 to 1984 that had a defining role in the development of contemporary electronic music.-History:...
, associating him with fellow artists Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton is a prolific British recording artist, music producer, remixer and DJ.A classically trained pianist and cellist, Middleton worked in the early 1990s with Richard D. James , co-producing "En-Trance To Exit" on the Analogue Bubblebath EP for Exeter's influential Mighty Force Records...
, Aphex Twin
Aphex Twin
Richard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
, and Matthew Herbert
Matthew Herbert
Matthew Herbert , also known as Herbert, Doctor Rockit, Radio Boy, Mr. Vertigo, Transformer, and Wishmountain, is a British electronic musician...
.
He is also known as The Kosmik Kommando, Universal Indicator
Universal Indicator (music)
Universal Indicator is the group name for Rephlex Records artists, Richard D. James and Mike Dred . The name is a reference to the signature acid techno sound found on all the releases. 5 projects were released, and a compilation CD was mixed by Mike Dred. All the albums are different colours...
, Chimera, Machine Codes, Space Avenger, and DJ Judge Dred. He was the first artist other than Richard D. James to release a project on Rephlex. His clear vinyl "Kosmik Kommando EP" was the 3rd release and was given a catalogue number CAT007 on account of his interest in James Bond. In addition, the Universal Indicator records released on Rephlex are amongst the most collectible recordings in the history of techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
music. Mike Dred established the Machine Codes record label in 1993 and also recorded for R&S Records
R&S Records
R&S Records is an independent record label. Founded in 1984 in Ghent, Belgium, it is now based in London and managed by Andy Whittaker and Dan Foat.R&S represents the initials of Renaat Vandepapeliere and Sabine Maes, the couple that created the label...
and R&S Records offshoot Diatomyc. He has also collaborated extensively with the electro-acoustic artist Peter Green (not to be confused with his namesake, the blues-rock guitarist Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
fame) and has produced a one-off collaboration with techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
producer Dr. Fernando.
Acclaim
Beyond the technoTechno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
scene, Mike Dred received an MSc with Distinction in Sound Design from the University of Edinburgh in 2005. Mike Dred was the first DJ producer to get sponsored by the Arts Council of Great Britain and the National Lottery. His works are often used for educational purposes and a selection is part of the prestigious Music Performance Research Centre (MPRC) collection at the Barbican Centre, London. UK. The publication ' The Rough Guide to Techno', described Mike as “The Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
of the 303” and “Full on Acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...
Genius”.
As well as presenting new developments in electronic and computer music, Mike has also given lectures on Sound Design and Synthesis.
Mike is the inspiration behind Electroacoustic Music being represented on a more popular level. His works with Peter Green dating from 1995 educated & inspired the likes of Richard D. James a.k.a. Aphex Twin to discover the genre culminating in the signing of LPs by Robert Normandeau, Senior Lecturer in Acoustics and Electroacoustics at the Universite de Montreal, Canada and experimentalist Pierre Bastien from France. This helped further establish Rephlex Records as the premier UK electronic label.
Mike Dred and Peter Green’s early sonic experiments prompted Dave Robinson, then Editor of Future Music (November 1995, Issue 37), to write: "We boldly call ourselves Future Music. But how often do we bring you something so forward-looking, yet at the same time so contemporary that it might - just might set the agenda for the next post-techno, post-analogue phase?"
Mike Dred is on the * SPNM composer short list for 2005 to 2008 using his given name Michael Cullen.
As Kosmik Kommando
- Freaquenseize (Rephlex Records, CAT010) 2XLP, 2XCD
- Universal Indicator 5 (Ultra-Violet)Universal Indicator 5 (Ultra-Violet)Universal Indicator 5 is an album produced by Mike Dred under the alias Kosmik Kommando. The album packaging has special properties which reveal text when held up to the light. The title of the album references the project Universal Indicator. The music was recorded between 1990 and 1992 and...
- Analogue Android (2011)
As Universal Indicator
- BlueUniversal Indicator BlueBlue is the unofficial name of an EP by Universal Indicator. This album was produced solely by Mike Dred. The album was pressed in a limited edition of 1,000 12" vinyl copies.-Side A:# "Thoughts Of You" - 6:39# "Definitely A Head Doer" - 5:10...
(1992) - YellowUniversal Indicator YellowYellow is the unofficial name of an album by Universal Indicator. This album is produced solely by Mike Dred. The album was pressed in a limited edition of one thousand 12" vinyl copies....
(1993) - Innovation in the Dynamics of AcidInnovation in the Dynamics of AcidInnovation In The Dynamics Of Acid is a CD of a DJ mix by Mike Dred of Universal Indicator material. On the back of the CD cover Martin Tressider is thanked for inspiration, it is believed this is an alias of Aphex Twin...
(2001)
External links
- Mike Dred (dead)
- Mike Dred - Complete Discography (dead)