The Freelance Hellraiser
Encyclopedia
Roy Kerr, aka The Freelance Hellraiser, is one of the creators of the UK
bootleg scene.
He gained fame with a mash-up
called "A Stroke of Genius", which combined an instrumental
edit of The Strokes
' track "Hard To Explain
" with Christina Aguilera
's pop hit "Genie in a Bottle
". James Hyman
who, along with Eddy Temple-Morris
, championed mash-ups and the song in particular on the Xfm
show The Remix, described it as "so musical. It was the result of a sick mind, and a trainspotter's mind, and a musician's mind." Although originally greeted by a cease and desist
order by RCA
(the label which both Aguilera and The Strokes are signed to), The Freelance Hellraiser went on to remix Aguilera's single "Fighter
", as well as tracks for Placebo
and ex-The Verve
frontman Richard Ashcroft
.
In 2004 he was commissioned by Paul McCartney
to remix some lesser-known McCartney tracks as preshow entertainment for his tour of that year. Those tracks, and several more, were released under the name Twin Freaks
.
In 2006 he made his album Waiting for Clearance, featuring such artists as Jan Hammer
, Iain Archer
and Snow Patrol
frontman Gary Lightbody
In 2007 he formed Kid Gloves with old friend Anu Pillai, writing and producing 2 songs for Ladyhawke's gold selling debut album, including the single "Paris Is Burning". They also wrote and produced songs for Little Boots' gold selling debut album, including her acclaimed duet Symmetry with The Human League's Philip Oakey.
In 2009 he featured on the Little Boots Debut Album "Hands" providing programming on the track "Symmetry".
Interviews
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
bootleg scene.
He gained fame with a mash-up
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
called "A Stroke of Genius", which combined an instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
edit of The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
' track "Hard To Explain
Hard to Explain
"Hard to Explain" is the first single from New York garage rock band The Strokes . It was released first in the UK and was later released in the U.S. with different album artwork. "Hard to Explain" is the first single from New York garage rock band The Strokes (their only previously released...
" with Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's pop hit "Genie in a Bottle
Genie in a Bottle
"Genie in a Bottle" is the second single by American pop recording artist, Christina Aguilera, taken from her self-titled debut album. It was co-written by David Frank, Steve Kipner, and Pamela Sheyne, and produced by Frank and Kipner respectively...
". James Hyman
James Hyman
James Hyman is a DJ, Radio & TV presenter, music supervisor and MD of JLH, a creative media–marketing company.Hyman put aside his place at the University of Manchester in order to work in the Press office of the, then new, company MTV, despite his parents' misgivings James Hyman (born 18 April...
who, along with Eddy Temple-Morris
Eddy Temple-Morris
The Honourable Edward Temple-Morris is a British DJ, record producer and TV presenter.-Biography:Eddy Temple-Morris hosts XFM's specialist show The Remix. Before joining XFM, he was the main presenter on the MTV show Up for It Live, presented shows for Atlantic 252 & BBC Hereford & Worcester,...
, championed mash-ups and the song in particular on the Xfm
Xfm London
Xfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
show The Remix, described it as "so musical. It was the result of a sick mind, and a trainspotter's mind, and a musician's mind." Although originally greeted by a cease and desist
Cease and desist
A cease and desist is an order or request to halt an activity and not to take it up again later or else face legal action. The recipient of the cease-and-desist may be an individual or an organization....
order by RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
(the label which both Aguilera and The Strokes are signed to), The Freelance Hellraiser went on to remix Aguilera's single "Fighter
Fighter (song)
"Fighter" is a song recorded by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The song was written by Aguilera and Scott Storch, and produced by Storch for Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped. The song was released on June 3, 2003 as the third single. The song peaked at number twenty on the...
", as well as tracks for Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
and ex-The Verve
The Verve
The Verve were an English rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong later became a member. Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to shoegazing and space...
frontman Richard Ashcroft
Richard Ashcroft
Richard Paul Ashcroft is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional guitarist of alternative rock band The Verve from their formation in 1990 until their split in 1999, and continues as a lead vocalist working with guitars and keyboards...
.
In 2004 he was commissioned by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
to remix some lesser-known McCartney tracks as preshow entertainment for his tour of that year. Those tracks, and several more, were released under the name Twin Freaks
Twin Freaks
Twin Freaks is a collaborative album by musician Paul McCartney with DJ and producer Freelance Hellraiser . The album was released on June 14, 2005.-History and structure:...
.
In 2006 he made his album Waiting for Clearance, featuring such artists as Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s...
, Iain Archer
Iain Archer
Iain Denis Archer is a singer–songwriter from Bangor, Northern Ireland, who was once a secondary lyricist for the indie band Snow Patrol. Archer comes from a musical background and released several solo albums in the mid 90s on the small Scottish independent label Sticky Music...
and Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
frontman Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
In 2007 he formed Kid Gloves with old friend Anu Pillai, writing and producing 2 songs for Ladyhawke's gold selling debut album, including the single "Paris Is Burning". They also wrote and produced songs for Little Boots' gold selling debut album, including her acclaimed duet Symmetry with The Human League's Philip Oakey.
In 2009 he featured on the Little Boots Debut Album "Hands" providing programming on the track "Symmetry".
External links
Interviews
- Radio Feature The Some Assembly RequiredSome Assembly RequiredSome Assembly Required is a sound collage radio program in the United States, produced in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the first radio show known to focus exclusively on works of sample based music, and appropriation in audio art...
Interview with The Freelance Hellraiser (2006). - Q&A with Freelance Hellraiser on Music Towers