Cubanate
Encyclopedia
Cubanate is a crossover
band from London
, founded in 1992 by Marc Heal
and Graham Rayner with Phil Barry and Steve Etheridge. The group became well-known known for its early fusion of distorted metal
guitars, and techno percussion (later incorporating breakbeat
s).
. The group signed to Berlin's Dynamica
Records shortly afterwards. Rayner and Etheridge departed after the first Machinery single, Body Burn (1993). The pair were replaced by Julian Beeston
(ex - Nitzer Ebb
drummer).
In May 1994 the Metal EP was Single of the Week in Melody Maker
magazine and later that year Cubanate received media attention when they were weirdly paired with Carcass
for what turned out to be a notoriously violent UK tour ending in death threats to Heal and an on-air confrontation on the Radio One
Rock Show with Bruce Dickinson
. The second album Cyberia (1995) spawned the hit single Oxyacetylene, generally considered Cubanate's creative peak. Oxyacetylene featured on the 1996 compilation album Mortal Kombat: More Kombat
and was later used on the soundtrack of the best-selling 1998 PlayStation
game Gran Turismo
. Apart from Oxyacetylene, three other Cubanate songs were used on Gran Turismo
and the single Body Burn can be heard at length in episode eighty two of The Sopranos
, from the final season of the show.
For live work around the Cyberia tour the band hired Shep Ashton on guitar and Darren Bennett on keyboards. After '96 Ashton and Bennett were replaced by Roddy Stone (currently fronting UK metal act Viking Skull
) and David Bianchi (who later went on to become manager of rock bands The Enemy
and Boy Kill Boy
).
The third album, Barbarossa (1996) continued the crossover format, and despite being name-checked as influences by bands such as The Prodigy
the group clearly decided a change was needed.
Signed in the U.S. to Wax Trax!
Recordings for the act's fourth and final album to date, Interference (1998) was a departure from Cubanate's earlier techno experiments with a strong drum and
bass
influence that alienated some of their traditionalist fans but was heralded as revelatory by others. The album was co-produced by Rhys Fulber
. However, Interference proved to be the band's swansong.
Although the act is not very well known outside the crossover scene, Cubanate had a brief vogue in heavy metal
circles. The band toured with acts such as Fear Factory
, The Sisters of Mercy
, Rammstein
and other rock acts, whilst Body Burn and Oxyacetylene were both Single of the Week in UK rock weekly Kerrang!
and a number of early nu metal
acts have cited Cubanate as an influence.
No new material has been released by Cubanate since 1998, and the band has not performed live since December 1999. However, in October 2010 the band announced that they were recording again and would be releasing new material in 2011. A new track "We are Crowd", has been released on Alfa-Matrix's compilation "EBM1".
In a posting on his Facebook page Marc Heal stated "Marc here. I should have posted this a while back, but I wanted to let everyone know that I have decided conclusively not to do another Cubanate album. It was a real blast getting back into studio with Phil - and he came up with some brilliant music. But I'm doing something different with my life now and I've come to the conclusion to leave it. Thanks for all your support, I really appreciate it. I'll keep posting. M"
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
band from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, founded in 1992 by Marc Heal
Marc Heal
Marc Heal is an English musician. He was one of the most prolific and influential Industrial music artists in the 1990s, mixing metal and techno with more traditional Industrial sounds...
and Graham Rayner with Phil Barry and Steve Etheridge. The group became well-known known for its early fusion of distorted metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitars, and techno percussion (later incorporating breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
s).
History
Cubanate played their first UK tour in November 1992 supporting left-field UK techno duo Sheep on DrugsSheep on Drugs
Sheep on Drugs are a British techno / dance-punk music group, formed by Duncan X [aka King Duncan] and Lee Fraser [aka Dead Lee] and currently composed of Fraser and Johnny Borden...
. The group signed to Berlin's Dynamica
Dynamica
Dynamica was a record label, founded by Jor and Anna Rosen after the success of Machinery Records specifically to release industrial metal music, hence the slogan Metal-Hacking-Industrialism....
Records shortly afterwards. Rayner and Etheridge departed after the first Machinery single, Body Burn (1993). The pair were replaced by Julian Beeston
Julian Beeston
Julian Beeston is an English musician, mainly noted for his time in the electronic groups Nitzer Ebb and Cubanate. He has spent time as a remixing engineer working on artists such as Bob Marley...
(ex - Nitzer Ebb
Nitzer Ebb
Nitzer Ebb is a British EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan "Bon" Harris , Douglas McCarthy , and David Gooday .-Band name:...
drummer).
In May 1994 the Metal EP was Single of the Week in Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
magazine and later that year Cubanate received media attention when they were weirdly paired with Carcass
Carcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
for what turned out to be a notoriously violent UK tour ending in death threats to Heal and an on-air confrontation on the Radio One
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Rock Show with Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
. The second album Cyberia (1995) spawned the hit single Oxyacetylene, generally considered Cubanate's creative peak. Oxyacetylene featured on the 1996 compilation album Mortal Kombat: More Kombat
Mortal Kombat: More Kombat
Mortal Kombat: More Kombat is a compilation album featuring primarily exclusive music from a number of metal, industrial and electronica bands inspired by the first Mortal Kombat film.-Album information:...
and was later used on the soundtrack of the best-selling 1998 PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
game Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo (video game)
is a racing simulator designed by Kazunori Yamauchi. Gran Turismo was developed by Polyphony Digital and first published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1997 for the PlayStation video game console...
. Apart from Oxyacetylene, three other Cubanate songs were used on Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo (video game)
is a racing simulator designed by Kazunori Yamauchi. Gran Turismo was developed by Polyphony Digital and first published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1997 for the PlayStation video game console...
and the single Body Burn can be heard at length in episode eighty two of The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
, from the final season of the show.
For live work around the Cyberia tour the band hired Shep Ashton on guitar and Darren Bennett on keyboards. After '96 Ashton and Bennett were replaced by Roddy Stone (currently fronting UK metal act Viking Skull
Viking Skull
Viking Skull is a 5-piece heavy metal band, originating in the UK.-History:Viking Skull was formed in 2002, by Raging Speedhorn members Gordon Morison, Darren Smith and Frank Regan, along with their Guitar Tech, Roddy Stone, and Merchandiser, Waldie....
) and David Bianchi (who later went on to become manager of rock bands The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
and Boy Kill Boy
Boy Kill Boy
Boy Kill Boy were an English rock band based in Leytonstone, East London. Perhaps Best known for their highest charting single "Suzie", the band produced two studio albums and six singles before splitting in 2008.- History :...
).
The third album, Barbarossa (1996) continued the crossover format, and despite being name-checked as influences by bands such as The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
the group clearly decided a change was needed.
Signed in the U.S. to Wax Trax!
Wax Trax! Records
Wax Trax! Records was an independent record label in the United States. Wax Trax! began as a record shop in Denver, Colorado opened by Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher. They sold the store in 1978 and, in November of that year, opened a new one under the same name at 2449 North Lincoln Avenue in...
Recordings for the act's fourth and final album to date, Interference (1998) was a departure from Cubanate's earlier techno experiments with a strong drum and
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
influence that alienated some of their traditionalist fans but was heralded as revelatory by others. The album was co-produced by Rhys Fulber
Rhys Fulber
Nowell Rhys Fulber is a Canadian electronic musician and producer. He was a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium along with Bill Leeb, and now records on his own under the name Conjure One.- Biography :...
. However, Interference proved to be the band's swansong.
Although the act is not very well known outside the crossover scene, Cubanate had a brief vogue in heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
circles. The band toured with acts such as Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
, The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy are an English rock band that formed in 1980. After achieving early underground fame in UK, the band had their commercial breakthrough in mid-1980s and sustained it until the early 1990s, when they stopped releasing new recorded output in protest against their record company...
, Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
and other rock acts, whilst Body Burn and Oxyacetylene were both Single of the Week in UK rock weekly Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
and a number of early nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
acts have cited Cubanate as an influence.
No new material has been released by Cubanate since 1998, and the band has not performed live since December 1999. However, in October 2010 the band announced that they were recording again and would be releasing new material in 2011. A new track "We are Crowd", has been released on Alfa-Matrix's compilation "EBM1".
In a posting on his Facebook page Marc Heal stated "Marc here. I should have posted this a while back, but I wanted to let everyone know that I have decided conclusively not to do another Cubanate album. It was a real blast getting back into studio with Phil - and he came up with some brilliant music. But I'm doing something different with my life now and I've come to the conclusion to leave it. Thanks for all your support, I really appreciate it. I'll keep posting. M"
Albums and EPs
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Antimatter Antimatter (album) Antimatter is the 1993 debut album of UK industrial band Cubanate. Notable among the tracks are "Body Burn" which is one of the band's most popular singles, and "Autonomy", which was featured in an instrumental version in the video game Gran Turismo alongside 3 tracks from Cubanate's Cyberia... |
Released in the U.S. in 1995 (with an alternate track listing) |
| 1994 | Metal | 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... |
| 1995 | Cyberia Cyberia (album) Cyberia is a 1995 album by UK-based industrial band Cubanate. The album features one of the band's most well known songs, "Oxyacetylene", which was also included alongside "Skeletal", "Industry" and "Autonomy" in instrumental versions in the video game Gran Turismo.- UK release :# "Cyberia" –... |
|
| 1996 | Barbarossa Barbarossa (album) Barbarossa is a 1996 industrial album by the UK band Cubanate. The track "Joy" from the album has been released as a single.-Track listing:# "Vortech I" – 2:57# "Barbarossa" – 6:13# "Joy" – 3:32# "Why Are You Here?" – 4:32# "Exultation" – 4:24... |
|
| 1998 | Interference |
Singles
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1993 | "Body Burn" |
| 1994 | "Oxyacetylene" |
| 1996 | "Joy" |
| 2011 | "We Are Crowd" |