A ROCK’N’ROLL BAND LAUSANNE SWITZERLAND

2013 PRESSBOOK HEJSAN SVEJSAN EVERYBODY.

the so special atmosphere of the place, with only vintage audio gear, excellent tea, and not one computer or new bullshit at all. The Giant Robots were also very proud to record their new songs in the city that saw The Beatles -among other- having big successes in the Swinging London period. Now sit down on your sofa, take a drink and put the needle on the vinyl to enjoy a piece of history while reading this booklet. You’ll discover their new label Soundflat, The Toe Rag Studio, the discography of the Robots, the Robots themselves (with the new members Maude and Guy) - well you probably won’t discover anything new at this stage if you’re into rock’n’roll music. Here is the new Giant Robots LP, released But this small booklet is your guide to understand the delightfully refreshing on Soundflat Records on November 1st world of Switzerland top garage rock 2013. What a thrill! After the world sucact The Giant Robots. Cheers. cess of «Too Young To Know Better, Too Hard To Care» that went out in 2006 on HURRAROP NOW! Voodoo Rhythm, it has been seven years of drinking, smoking and lazying in order Hey, here’s what you’ll find into to have the Giant coming with some new this 2013 bookshit: material. But wait, not just a new LP, it’s Official Biography.................page 2 a killer album recorded in one week at Discography ........................page 4 the now very famous «Toe Rag Recording Toe Rag / Soundflat...............page 6 Studio» in London under the conductor Liam Watson. You know, this studio where Technical Revue....................page 7 Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?....... a roster of great rock’n’roll names went over to record unforgettable tunes. From .............................................page 8 Thee Headcoats to April March, The Kai- Tanze Samba mit mir...........page 14 sers or The White Stripes. They all loved The Venues..........................page 16

Giant Robots

The Official Biography

Hejsan svejsan, The Giant Robots are a Rock’n’Roll band and are ready to conquer the World. Born in February 2006 (or was it in 1996, 1976 or 1966 ?), the Giant Robots have already done many gigs in their hometown Lausanne, all around Europe and they’ve released several records. But let us tell you the full story of that incredible band: “One snowy day, Tanguy was skiing down the “Petit-Chene” street in Lausanne and suddenly saw the purple Milka-cow. To avoid this famous Swiss symbol, he turned and crashed his beautiful face into an old

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garage door. Because of the violence of the shock, the door got opened. “O surprise”, the garage was full of dusty musical instruments: he realised that he was inside the rehearsal place of the mythical local heroes “Les Aiglons”. Nobody walked into this room for more than thirty years. His first reaction was to tell it to his friend Michel (27, an unknown guitar player), who at the time was surfing on the famous freezing spot of the Château de Glerolles on the Lake of Geneva. Immediately they were convinced that they had to bring back the spirit & sound of their wild rockin’ancestors.

They asked the two most beautiful & gorgeous girls in town (Julia & Maude), to play bass and organ in their newly founded band: The GIANT ROBOTS were born.” After the debut 7’’ ‘‘Introducing...’’ done in 1996 and ‘‘Invasion’’ CD in 1998, The Giant Robots made a one year break due to Michel’s surf trip in the Pacific Ocean in 1999 (Niuatoputapu, Vava’u, Tanna). In 2000 The Robots striked back with a new single (A Super Robot E.P., released in april) which has included, for the very first time, a hit song in french! Then, they released the world acclaimed ‘‘Too Young to Know Better... Too Hard to Care’’ on the unfamous

Reverend Beatman’s Voodoo Rhythm label. Nowadays, they’re proud to present their new opus “Delightfully Refreshing’’ on the Soundflat Records, the tittyshaker label aus Cologne. Recorded in 5 days in the Toe Rag studio in London by the analogic guru Liam Watson, this new album brings back the spirit of mid-60’s rock’n’roll - yéyé! Last but not least, Guy the english guy, has fullfilled the minimum requirement to be now the GR second guitar smasher! Welcome to the club! The Giant Robots are now ready to conquer the Universe!!! And a new 7 inch EP is planned to be released soon. Stay tuned!

If you’re a modern dude, please check: Official website: http://www.thegiantrobots.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thegiantrobots MX3: http://www.mx3.ch/artist/the_giant_robots But the easiest way to contact the band is per email: [email protected]

Giant Robots

The Official Discography

GFR3/OR004 7’’ EP (1996)

‘‘Introducing...’’ is the very first recording of the Giant Robots. 2 covers on it: ‘‘Take Me Away’’ (from american popstars Ween) and ‘‘City of People’’ (The Illusions). But there is a song which made the charts: it is the well known instru ‘‘Exhibition 64’’ related to the big Swiss exhibition ‘‘EXPO 64’’ which took place in Lausanne. This is clearly a wink to Les Aiglons, but musically totally different. Last but not least ‘‘Don’t Leave Me now’’ complete the list of the four tracks on this EP.

GFR4/DAB015 CD (1998)

‘‘Invasion !’’, their first album was recorded in 3 days in the old cave of the Château de Corseaux on the lakeside of the Lake Geneva. The Giant’s have been able to capture the live energy of the band and a raw sound similar to those heard on the first Rolling Stones or Sonics. On this album, the Giant Robots have shown their love and respect for some garage classics (Like a Rolling Stone, Ski Bum, Say You Love Me). They putted some sexy thrill on Come See Me of the fabulous Pretty Things with the charming voice of Julia. They also “improved” Supersonic of the little British band Oasis. And finally they were proud to record the song (Shame On Jane) that the great Jim Pewter, the surf music God, wrote for them. And there are plenty of great songs (Mr. Ray, Wild Girl, I Don’t Come Back, etc...) written by the Robots.

GFR5/OR009 7’’ EP (2000)

To respond to the popular demand, The Giant Robots decided to record a song in french on their second 7’’ ‘‘A Super Robot EP’’. ‘‘Viens Chez Moi’’ is a typically story of a guy wanting to invite a girl at his place. But... he has no home and must lie! The King Bees’ ‘‘I Want My Babe’’, ‘‘What’s the Matter’’ (instrumental) and the fuzzy ‘‘Devil Girl’’ complete the track listing.

CONTINENTAL MAGAZINE BANZAI

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Excellent US surf music mag with plenty of exciting song on the free CD. Exclusive Cut of ‘‘Exhibition 64’’.

More on Banzai on page 14 (in german). Garage and 60’s music on the bonus CD with also a version of Exhibition 64.

j’aime beaucoup ce que vous faites. Very rare track of the Robot’s on this V/A comp (DAB): ‘‘Shake My Babe Around’’

Giant Robots

The Official Discography

CD: VR1234; LP: VR1234VOODOO RHYTHM (2006)

in the Tradition of 60’s French Pop Garage comes this Band from the French Part of Switzerland, Michel a Ultra Die Hard Mod from the romandie still believes in the 60’s.The way of Live was a thousand times better than today.. and he is right or not !!! people did REVOLUTION not only talk about it like we do today and the Spirit of the 60’s you find also in thes Recordings no Hi Fidelity shit with crap sub bass shit, it’s LO in recording and HI in Listening Pleassure. the Giant Robots exists since 1996 and one of their main inspiration are the Aiglons a french/swiss band from the mid 60’s. What’s good on the Giant Robots is that its Garage Beat.. these days everybody says from black flag over to the hives they do garage punk.. but what it’s all about you here in this record, Back to the Grave Garage Punk with a French touch it’s not aggressive it’s music to get girls and boys to bed and fuck with them and this it’s what its all about or not ? music to get Girls to bed with you, and if you ain’t gonna Dance at least after the 3rd song then you definitely need some Viagra action up your Butt. (Original text from Voodoo Rhythm Label!!!)

LISTENING TIPS:Track 2 Mauvaises Nouvelles; Track 5 Get Away; Track 7 Elle

Est Partie; Track 11 My New Datsun Dans la tradition des 60’s French Pop Garage band (en anglais dans le texte) voici un groupe qui nous vient de la partie francophone de la Suisse. Ce groupe de Lausanne existe depuis 1996 et leur principale source d’inspiration est le groupe the Aiglons un groupe Franco / Suisse du milieu des 60’s. Au programme de ce quatuor, Garage Beat Pop ; Jerk, YéYé Beat, Demolition Surf, Fuzz, Twist le tout garanti Fox Guitar et Orgue Farfisa. Eén van de conclusies die ik in mijn stukje over de dvd over het label Voodoo Rhythm trok was dat hun platenbaas een goede smaak heeft bij de keuze van zijn artiesten. Mijn stukje was nog niet geplaatst of er dient zich een album aan om dit met feiten te controleren. Het album is van het Zwitserse (Lausanne om precies te zijn) The Giant Robots. Twee dames, twee heren, ze spelen samen sinds 1996 en zijn nu aan hun twee volledige album toe getiteld Too Young To Know Better. Too Hard To Care. Het is een mix van garagerock, surf waar naast het gebruik van gitaar, bas en drums ook een sixties-orgelsaus overheen gegoten is, maar waar een aantal nummers zo hun oorsprong

ROUGE-GORGE (2006)

Here’s a very rare compilation where the Giant Robots perform a sixties cover of Stella’s Cauchemar Auto Protestateur! Another french track with some fuzz and an irriting farfisa’s sound!

CARGO REC.

Elle Est Partie appears also on a Cargo compilation together with tracks from the Thermals, the Bell-Rays or Motorhead (!) PAGE 5

Giant Robots

The Official Discography

Here’s the all latest album of The Giant Robots, released on November 1st 2013 on Soundflat Records. Track listing Side A: 1. Sixteen Ghosts 2. Hold Her Tight 3. Tell Me Something New 4. C’est Pas Vrai 5. Shake It Shake It Shake It 6. Attracted To Me Track Listing Side B: 1. Snuff Factory 2. Something Else Kind Of Woman 3. She’s The Girl 4. Your Gona Break My Heart 5. Five-O-Two 6. The No-Name Man 7. Get A Rid Of You All songs by The Giant Robots except #B2 by The Torquays and #B4 by The Abstract Sound. Available as SFR-051 LP Version and SFR-CD-024 CD Version. It’s all here – yes, THE GIANT ROBOTS have all the music you need for the perfect long playing party. PAGE 6

Recorded in London at Toe Rag Studio by Liam Watson. The studio was founded in 1991 by Liam Watson and Josh Collins in the Shoreditch area of London. In 1997, the business relocated to Hackney. Toe Rag offers clients music production using eight-track multitrack recording technology, and all recording media is magnetic tape. Recording is centred around an EMI mixing console (originally from Abbey Road Studios) and Studer A80 tape machine, as well as microphones by Neumann, Reslo and STC. Vintage backline includes Vox and Fender amplifiers, and instruments include Farfisa and Hammond organs, as well as a 1965 Ludwig drum kit. Soundflat Records is own by Marco Traxel aka Traxman who has also established a name for himself as a disc jockey of distinction (Garage/Psych/R&B/60’s Soul/ Tittyshaker & more). The headquarters are located in Cologne Germany. The range of music stretches from Garage and Beat, Punk’n’Roll to Power Pop. Bands like The Montesas, The Incredible Staggers, The Satelliters, Les Playboys (a.o.) have already recorded some unforgettable material for the label. So if you’re looking to gain some pretty quick coolness points in the eyes of your friends, or you’d just like to help two real nice-but-wasted-vinyl-junkies to keep up their pretence of having a hip, pretentious record label - hey, you’ve come to the right place! http://www.soundflat-records.de Text by Suzie Creamcheese

Giant Robots

The for the great sound engineer

NOTICE: THE MORE VINTAGE GEAR YOU HAVE, THE BETTER IT IS. Drumkit:

Tanguy plays the drums: Good Luck!

AMPEG AMP

FENDER AMP

Julia is our Basswoman: She just found a vintage Hofner bass which sounds great. The amplifier is an old Ampeg-style one with a very big speaker. She need a mic to place on the speaker and a DI. Julia will also (try to) sing in her own Shure 545SD microphone. Please place a monitor near her.

1. KICK 2. SNARE 3. HIHAT 4. TOM 5. FLOOR 6. RIDE 7. CRASH

5 6

4

2

3

VOX AMP

FA R F I S A AMP

1 7

Michel plays rhythm guitar & sings: he uses a Fender ‘63 Vibroverb guitar amplifier and will bring his own Shure 545SD vocal microphone with stand. For the guitar, take any guitar mic you have. He needs a monitoring of his voice and (mainly) his guitar.

Guy plays solo guitar & is performing some backing vocals: he uses a Vox AC15 guitar amplifier and shout in his own Shure 545SD vocal microphone with stand. Take a good amp mic. He is very satisfied with a loudy monitor in his feet.

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Maude plays the Farfisa Organ (Model CC-24 Compact De Luxe). She’ll connect the output to her Dynacord Leslie Amplifier. She needs 3 microphones to capture the stereo sound + 1 DI. Please place a monitor (side fill or floor) for her.

Salut les french-speaking-people, nous sommes les Giant Robots et parlons aussi le francais. Regardes ces quelques commentaires sur notre oeuvre:

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Si les Giant Robots ont attendu depuis si longtemps pour exploser à la face du monde, c’est simplement parce qu’ils voulaient que le public soit prêt à les apprécier à leur juste valeur ! Aujourd’hui, après qu’Astro, Goldorak, les Golgoth de la planète Vega, Robocop ou autre Tripods aient fait leur travail préparatif à la venue de l’Ultime machine, l’heure de l’invasion finale a sonnée ! « Too young to know better, too hard to care ! », une bombe garage en puissance, assez mal jouée pour être crédible et d’une énergie phénoménale ; sans doute ce qu’il a manqué à tous ceux qui les ont précédés depuis le début de l’ère de la musique électrique.

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Lords of Rock: Critique Too Young To Know Better, Too Hard To Care ! Enfin ! Enfin ce groupe unique en son genre se décide à sortir son deuxième LP après une absence des bacs durant au moins 8 ans ! Et Enfin ! Enfin ils sont signés sur le label le plus respectable, le plus underground, le plus intègre, le plus trash, le plus fiable qui soit : Voodoo Rythm. Il était temps que ces deux entités se rencontrent, car tous deux partagent un amour sans limites pour les 50’s - 60’s, pour les mélodies simples, pour la surf music (ce terme pour éviter celui de garage utilisé à outrance et aussi pour ce que fait The Hives, bien loin du groupe qui nous intéresse ici), et une aversion profonde pour ce qui touche de près ou de loin à, je cite : Hi Fidelity shit with crap sub bass. Le ton est donné. Maximum plaisir. Bon, pourquoi tout ce foin ? Parce qu’ils sont uniques en leur genre : mods dopés au yé-yé (Get Away), Dutroncs déguisés en France Galles déguisés en Beach Boys (Share My Love With You), exagérément rétros (le très Shadows Echoes From Canyon) et aussi parce qu’ils ont cette facilité à vous amuser et vous mettre de bonne humeur (ceux qui se souviennent de leur formidable reprise de Supersonic comprendront), parce qu’il est si facile de danser sur leur musique même pour ceux qui ont deux pieds gauches (Jukebox) et parce que Bye Bye Baby a un son hardcore d’époque - fuzz s’entend. Ressortez les mange-disques... et restez trash !

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BASSA FEDELTA (I)

GEARHEAD (USA)

NEW GANDY DANCER (UK)

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POINT BREAK (USA)

Nueva entrega de la etiqueta Ritmo Voodoo, esta vez lejos de introducirnos en los ritmos oscuros y pantanosos de oscuras bandas no dan a conocer a una banda de su país Suiza. Dos chicos y dos chicas que se hacen llamar Giant Robots, un cuarteto deudor de los sonidos mas ye-yes de los sesenta en Francia y con un toque a medio camino entre el surf y el 60´s sound mas maniático el resultado es un disco de garaje en toda regla. Lo cierto que tras diez años de trabajo, un par de singles y un primer cd . Pocos sabían de la existencia del grupo fuera de Suiza. Este segundo disco grande en la carrera de la banda, solo apto para fans de los sonidos sesenteros y fans de la música sin demasiados prejuicios, encontramos temas do colorido sonoro y ante todo diversión, empiezan con un ataque de frente con un pildorazo de garaje punk en toda regla, puro pebbles en sus mejores volúmenes con ese “Come On Back” para desfogarse base de pop frenético “Mauvaises Nouvelles” en francés, surfean sin ver una sola ola “The Striker” sin nada que envidiar a mis queridos MOAM, Lo cierto que gracias al Beat_Man ya somos muchos los que andamos colgados por estos chicos y de temas como “Share My Love With You” con un inquietante sonido de órgano, “Get Away” y de nuevo otro instrumental con un sonido muy peculiar en “Echoes From Canyon” y de nuevo mas pop con tintes garageros en francés “Elles Est Partie” con un consistente trabajo de farfisa (y un fraseo que no resultara desconocido a muchos*), Le dan al fuzz sin cortarse un pelo en “Bye Bye Baby” o “”Tell Me What To Do”, pero donde de verdad en me gusta es cuando hacen juegos entre guitarra, órgano y voces, entrecortando el ritmo y sonando tremendos como en ese fantástico “Jukebox” ó “My New Datsun”, de nuevo con el protagonismo de las teclas Stephanie dando un dinamismo a los temas bastante notable y siendo uno de los pilares de esta banda sin ninguna duda. Cerrando otro instrumental “Malaga Twist” con unas guitarras muy inspiradas y en donde uno puede dejar de imaginarse a las dos féminas de esta banda de esta banda surfeando en topless, grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!

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NEVER TRUST A ROBOT

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