The Superions
Encyclopedia
The Superions are an American comedy
synthpop
band formed in Orlando, Florida
in 2006 as a side project of The B-52s frontman Fred Schneider
with Noah Brodie and Dan Marshall.
nuts like him, in 2002 through a mutual friend who has a record store in Orlando, Florida. Eventually, whenever in Orlando, Schneider began staying with Brodie and Marshall at their home and turned them on to lounge
and tiki music
.
During a stay in December 2006, Brodie and Marshall played Schneider a track they had composed using Pro Tools
and asked Schneider if he would put words to it. Schneider came up with the lyrics for "Totally Nude Island
" off the top of his head and, because of Brodie and Marshall's noisy pet azure lovebird
, Mr. Bird, recorded the vocals in the bathroom in two takes. It started out as Schneider, Brodie and Marshall just having a good time, but friends who heard the song suggested they put it out.
on iTunes
on October 31, 2008. The Superions then asked Ursula 1000
to do a remix
of "Totally Nude Island" and released "Totally Nude Island (Ursula 1000 Remix)" as a digital single on iTunes on December 18, 2008.
The reaction was such that Schneider spoke to Mike Turner, founder of the Athens, Georgia
independent label Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records
, about putting out a limited edition vinyl single. A deal was hatched and it was decided to do a full EP
release with the addition of two reworked songs from The Del Morons period, "Those Sexy Saucer Gals" and "Who Threw That Ham At Me
", and remixes by The Lolligags, Casper & The Cookies and Marshmallow Coast
. "Who Threw That Ham At Me" was released as a digital single on iTunes on November 24, 2009 and The Superions
EP was released as a digital download on January 19, 2010. The Superions EP was released on CD and Limited Edition 12"
on HHBTM Records in the US on February 23, 2010.
In April 2010, Brodie and Marshall completed work on a remix of rapper Shunda K
's single, "I'm Da Best".
From April–June 2010, The Superions held a remix contest for their song "Those Sexy Saucer Gals", the Swedish band WeHaveLove was chosen as the winner and "Those Sexy Saucer Gals (WeHaveLove Remix)
" was released as a digital single on iTunes on August 24, 2010 and the video by Tom Yaz was released on YouTube
on August 27, 2010. The remix was later released on the digital "Bonus Track Version" of The Superions EP.
album, Destination... Christmas!
. They put the finishing touches on Destination... Christmas! during another recording session in June and completed mixing in July. The Superions signed with New York
-based record label
Fanatic Records distributed by EMI
/Caroline Distribution
for the release of Destination... Christmas!. Schneider says the 11 original tracks "cover all the Christmas themes: yetis, avalanches, fruitcake. It's not traditional." The digital single "Fruitcake
" was released on iTunes on September 21, 2010 followed by the release of Destination… Christmas! on October 25, 2010 on CD, LP
and as a digital download. Destination... Christmas! debuted at #13 on the Billboard
Comedy Albums Chart on December 18, 2010. "Fruitcake (YACHT
Remix)" was released on December 20, 2010 as a free download on YACHT's website. In February 2011 The Superions continued working on songs for a proper full-length album during a week-long recording session, they then resumed recording in May 2011.
", a song which was recorded in May 2010, was planned as the group's next single for Halloween. The Batbaby
EP, released September 13, 2011 on iTunes, also features remixes by DJ Beekeeni, DJ Butterface, Phylr and Umpff. In an interview with Atlanta
magazine, Schneider attempted to explain his lyrical inspiration: "Oh, I don't know. Some songwriters come up with incredibly smart commercial things and I come up with "Batbaby."
The music video for "Batbaby
" is a short film which plays homage to B-movies. Having been filmed on the birthday of Ed Wood, it is suitably campy and features a little person as the title character, a volleyball game of death and Babette Bombshell, The Plus-Size Goddess of Gore as both a morbidly obese horror hostess and as a damsel in distress.
Comedy music
Comedy music is music that is comedic or humorous in nature, encompassing a wide variety of music genres. Popular types of comedy music include parody music, novelty songs, comedy rock and comedy hip hop.- Notable comedy musicians :...
synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
band formed in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
in 2006 as a side project of The B-52s frontman Fred Schneider
Fred Schneider
Frederick William "Fred" Schneider III is an American rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.-Early life:Schneider was born in Newark,...
with Noah Brodie and Dan Marshall.
Formation and early years (2006–2008)
The band, originally named The Del Morons, was founded in 2006 by Fred Schneider and friends Noah Brodie and Dan Marshall. Schneider first met Brodie and Marshall, vinylGramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
nuts like him, in 2002 through a mutual friend who has a record store in Orlando, Florida. Eventually, whenever in Orlando, Schneider began staying with Brodie and Marshall at their home and turned them on to lounge
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
and tiki music
Exotica
Exotica is a musical genre, named after the 1957 Martin Denny album of the same title, popular during the 1950s to mid-1960s, typically with the suburban set who came of age during World War II. The musical colloquialism, exotica, means tropical ersatz: the non-native, pseudo experience of Oceania...
.
During a stay in December 2006, Brodie and Marshall played Schneider a track they had composed using Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
and asked Schneider if he would put words to it. Schneider came up with the lyrics for "Totally Nude Island
Totally Nude Island
"Totally Nude Island" is the debut single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released to iTunes Stores internationally as a digital download on October 31, 2008. "Totally Nude Island " was also released as a digital single on December 18, 2008...
" off the top of his head and, because of Brodie and Marshall's noisy pet azure lovebird
Lovebird
A Lovebird is one of nine species of the genus Agapornis . They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Eight species are native to the African continent, while the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar...
, Mr. Bird, recorded the vocals in the bathroom in two takes. It started out as Schneider, Brodie and Marshall just having a good time, but friends who heard the song suggested they put it out.
"Totally Nude Island", "Who Threw That Ham At Me" and The Superions EP (2008-2010)
A friend of Schneider's said, "No one's going to take you seriously if you call yourselves The Del Morons", so the trio changed their name to The Superions and released "Totally Nude Island" themselves as a digital singleMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on October 31, 2008. The Superions then asked Ursula 1000
Ursula 1000
Alex Gimeno is a DJ best known for Ursula 1000, a wide-ranging musical project including lounge, breakbeat, glam and cha cha.Gimeno was born in Brooklyn, New York. During his childhood, he and his family moved to Miami Beach where his father, a member of the Spanish orchestra, Los Chavales De...
to do a remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of "Totally Nude Island" and released "Totally Nude Island (Ursula 1000 Remix)" as a digital single on iTunes on December 18, 2008.
The reaction was such that Schneider spoke to Mike Turner, founder of the Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
independent label Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records
Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records
Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records is an American independent record label based in Athens, Georgia, whose catalogue is rather heavily weighted towards twee indie pop music, with several of its bands being related to or influenced by The Elephant 6 Recording Company...
, about putting out a limited edition vinyl single. A deal was hatched and it was decided to do a full 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...
release with the addition of two reworked songs from The Del Morons period, "Those Sexy Saucer Gals" and "Who Threw That Ham At Me
Who Threw That Ham At Me
"Who Threw That Ham at Me" is the third single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released to iTunes Stores as a digital download on November 24, 2009, ironically, the day after celebrity chef Paula Deen was hit in the face with a flying ham while...
", and remixes by The Lolligags, Casper & The Cookies and Marshmallow Coast
Marshmallow Coast
Marshmallow Coast is an indie pop band associated with the Elephant Six Collective.-Background:The band began as a solo recording project of singer/songwriter Andy Gonzales, who first recorded as Marshmallow Coast in 1996 with a self-released cassette, which featured contributions from Joel...
. "Who Threw That Ham At Me" was released as a digital single on iTunes on November 24, 2009 and The Superions
The Superions (EP)
- Track listing :-Formats:* CD US Edition - containing the 7-track EP.* 12" US Limited Edition - containing the 7-track EP, first pressing of 300 on clear/smoke vinyl, 200 black vinyl, silkscreened sleeve with mp3 download code....
EP was released as a digital download on January 19, 2010. The Superions EP was released on CD and Limited Edition 12"
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
on HHBTM Records in the US on February 23, 2010.
In April 2010, Brodie and Marshall completed work on a remix of rapper Shunda K
Shunda K
Lashunda Nicole Flowers, better known as Shunda K, is an American MC whose songs are noted both for their use of spiritual and sexually explicit lyrics.-Yo Majesty 1998 - 2009:...
's single, "I'm Da Best".
From April–June 2010, The Superions held a remix contest for their song "Those Sexy Saucer Gals", the Swedish band WeHaveLove was chosen as the winner and "Those Sexy Saucer Gals (WeHaveLove Remix)
Those Sexy Saucer Gals (WeHaveLove Remix)
"Those Sexy Saucer Gals " is the fourth single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. From April-June 2010, The Superions held a remix contest for their song "Those Sexy Saucer Gals", the Swedish band WeHaveLove was chosen as the winner and "Those Sexy Saucer Gals " was...
" was released as a digital single on iTunes on August 24, 2010 and the video by Tom Yaz was released on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on August 27, 2010. The remix was later released on the digital "Bonus Track Version" of The Superions EP.
"Fruitcake" and Destination… Christmas! (2010-2011)
The Superions began recording new material for a full-length album in January 2010, but during a 9-day session in May, they switched gears to focus on a full-length ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
album, Destination... Christmas!
Destination... Christmas!
Destination... Christmas! is the first full-length studio album by comedy synthpop band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The album was released October 25, 2010 on New York-based record label Fanatic Records distributed by EMI/Caroline Distribution on CD, LP and as a...
. They put the finishing touches on Destination... Christmas! during another recording session in June and completed mixing in July. The Superions signed with New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Fanatic Records distributed by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Caroline Distribution
Caroline Distribution
Caroline Distribution, founded in 1983 as a unit of Virgin Records, has become one of the U.S. music industry’s largest third party distribution companies for the independent music sector....
for the release of Destination... Christmas!. Schneider says the 11 original tracks "cover all the Christmas themes: yetis, avalanches, fruitcake. It's not traditional." The digital single "Fruitcake
Fruitcake (song)
"Fruitcake" is the fifth single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released to iTunes Stores as a digital download on September 21, 2010 and is featured on The Superions' Christmas album Destination.....
" was released on iTunes on September 21, 2010 followed by the release of Destination… Christmas! on October 25, 2010 on CD, LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
and as a digital download. Destination... Christmas! debuted at #13 on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Comedy Albums Chart on December 18, 2010. "Fruitcake (YACHT
YACHT (band)
YACHT is an American band from Portland, Oregon, Marfa, Texas, and Los Angeles, CA. The core group consists of Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans, but expands to include musicians Rob "Bobby Birdman" Kieswetter, Jeffrey Brodsky and Katy Davidson as touring members.YACHT has released albums on...
Remix)" was released on December 20, 2010 as a free download on YACHT's website. In February 2011 The Superions continued working on songs for a proper full-length album during a week-long recording session, they then resumed recording in May 2011.
"Batbaby" and Batbaby EP (2011-present)
"BatbabyBatbaby
"Batbaby" is the sixth single by comedy band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released on September 13, 2011 as a digital download on the Batbaby EP....
", a song which was recorded in May 2010, was planned as the group's next single for Halloween. The Batbaby
Batbaby
"Batbaby" is the sixth single by comedy band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released on September 13, 2011 as a digital download on the Batbaby EP....
EP, released September 13, 2011 on iTunes, also features remixes by DJ Beekeeni, DJ Butterface, Phylr and Umpff. In an interview with Atlanta
Atlanta (magazine)
Atlanta is an award-winning monthly general-interest magazine based in Atlanta, Georgia and owned by Emmis Publishing, a division of Emmis Communications...
magazine, Schneider attempted to explain his lyrical inspiration: "Oh, I don't know. Some songwriters come up with incredibly smart commercial things and I come up with "Batbaby."
The music video for "Batbaby
Batbaby
"Batbaby" is the sixth single by comedy band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released on September 13, 2011 as a digital download on the Batbaby EP....
" is a short film which plays homage to B-movies. Having been filmed on the birthday of Ed Wood, it is suitably campy and features a little person as the title character, a volleyball game of death and Babette Bombshell, The Plus-Size Goddess of Gore as both a morbidly obese horror hostess and as a damsel in distress.
Members
- Fred SchneiderFred SchneiderFrederick William "Fred" Schneider III is an American rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.-Early life:Schneider was born in Newark,...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Noah Brodie - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and electronic drumElectronic drumAn electronic drum is an electronic synthesizer which mimics an acoustic drum kit.The electronic drum usually consists of a set of pads mounted on a stand in a disposition similar to an acoustic drum kit. The pads are discs with a rubber or cloth-like coating. Each pad has a sensor which generates...
s - Dan Marshall - programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
Singles
- "Totally Nude IslandTotally Nude Island"Totally Nude Island" is the debut single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released to iTunes Stores internationally as a digital download on October 31, 2008. "Totally Nude Island " was also released as a digital single on December 18, 2008...
" (2008) - "Totally Nude Island (Ursula 1000 Remix)" (2008)
- "Who Threw That Ham At MeWho Threw That Ham At Me"Who Threw That Ham at Me" is the third single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released to iTunes Stores as a digital download on November 24, 2009, ironically, the day after celebrity chef Paula Deen was hit in the face with a flying ham while...
" (2009) - "Those Sexy Saucer Gals (WeHaveLove Remix)Those Sexy Saucer Gals (WeHaveLove Remix)"Those Sexy Saucer Gals " is the fourth single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. From April-June 2010, The Superions held a remix contest for their song "Those Sexy Saucer Gals", the Swedish band WeHaveLove was chosen as the winner and "Those Sexy Saucer Gals " was...
" (2010) - "FruitcakeFruitcake (song)"Fruitcake" is the fifth single by The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released to iTunes Stores as a digital download on September 21, 2010 and is featured on The Superions' Christmas album Destination.....
" (2010) - "BatbabyBatbaby"Batbaby" is the sixth single by comedy band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released on September 13, 2011 as a digital download on the Batbaby EP....
" (2011)