Zombie Nation (band)
Encyclopedia
Zombie Nation is a German
techno and electro
project of the Munich
based DJ and producer
Florian Senfter.
's label, International DeeJay Gigolo Records
. A remix of the song "Kernkraft 400
" on this debut release landed in high chart-positions all over the world, including number 2 in the United Kingdom
.
Kernkraft 400 was a 1:1 melody copy from the Commodore C64 computer game Lazy Jones. Subtune 21, named "Stardust", was remixed by the German producer team Zombie Nation (initially unlicensed, which caused the producers to pay an undisclosed amount of money to David Whittaker) in their song Kernkraft 400.
Since 2001, Florian Senfter has released tracks on different labels under Zombie Nation and his other pseudonym John Starlight
. In 2002 he did not renew his contract with International DeeJay Gigolo Records
and started his own label, Dekathlon Records, where he released the second album "Absorber" in 2003. In early 2005, the new sublabel UKW Records was launched with John Starlight's John's Addiction Part 1 followed by Paeng Paeng 12" by Zombie Nation which was recorded a few months later. Sven Väth
realized the potential of that song at first glance and licensed it for his Cocoon Recordings
imprint.
The third album Black Toys which was released in 2006 on UKW Records Zombie Nation is a bass dominated soundscape
from tech-hop to funk
-laden house
.
In 2007 Zombie Nation collaborated with Tiga
under the pseudonym ZZT on the recording "Lower State of Consciousness".
Zombie Nation is also known today as electronic music
liveact. Different from a DJ he uses musical hardware
on stage to create sounds. The main instrument
is an Akai MPC 4000 Music sequencer
which he uses in combination with a mixing console
and several effects unit
s to do a live arrangement
and Mix
of his music.
In December 2009 and January 2010 Zombie Nation created a collectively orchestrated track, and Florian tells the story like so:
"One cold day in December I had a brainwave. An idea for internet democratic music, made as a collaboration with my boys and girls on Facebook and Twitter. If you’re reading this you probably already know that it is my declared passion to mash samples together on my MPC, so the logical first step was to issue the callout: “send me your sounds!”
In the week that followed, my dropbox was inundated with whistles, basses and burps.
The next step was to split the sounds into categories and present them in 10 polls, and then open the voting up to the world. I created loops from the most popular sounds, and then opened them up to another popularity contest. The people spoke, once again, and chose their favourite five loops.
In the following weeks, between sessions taking my beloved MPC all over the world, I worked out an arrangement. A song! Part of this work was done streaming video from the studio, with about three hundred people watching and contributing to the decision making process. After a final round of feedback on the arrangement through SoundCloud
, the song was finalised. Tada!
The last step was to make the parts available to the public, so anyone could have a bash and submit a remix. We selected the six most interesting and unique remixes, and included them in the package.
Now only one thing was missing – a name! This was one element of the project that was beyond the capabilities of online democracy. The polling system hit its technical limits. So I decided to discuss the name with my new studio buddies, the people behind the original sounds submitted! And then at last, we had reached the end of the road.
This project was not an attempt to make a logical song, a marketable piece of music, or even one that would appeal to most. Rather, the idea was to produce a democratic piece of music; one in which anyone could take part, and influence the outcome. And I am happy to say that it worked out great!".
The result was a track by "Zombie Nation and Friends" titled "The Mind of Many". The sounds were by: 48oooooooooo, Certifiedsick, Coronium, D.L.I.D, Dastie, Drop The Lime, Flex Rock, Greg Shin, Hayashi, jhk, Jumping Jack Flash, Kim Moyes, L33ch, MAMM, Memorex, Nina Lou, Noize Generation, Pablo Decoder, Plastique de Reve, Brodinski, Prozac Polka, Randee Bugga, Shir Khan, Smashsnap, Solar Explosion, Springboard , Swam, Textbreak, The Model, Tocadisco, Uboot, uπit, Was, and Yibn. The artwork was sent by hannes at freieradikale.at and the song name “the mind of many” was proposed by Stephanie Nazywalskyj. At the moment, in addition to the original, there are number of remixes including ones by MAMM, Noize-Generation, Doberman, Operette, Plastique-de-reve, and obi-blanche.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
techno and electro
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
project of the Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
based DJ and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Florian Senfter.
History
The first Zombie Nation five track EP was released in the spring of 1999 on DJ HellDJ Hell
This article is about Helmut Josef Geier. You may also be looking for Darryl Hell.Helmut Josef Geier, professionally known as DJ Hell is a German house-techno DJ...
's label, International DeeJay Gigolo Records
International DeeJay Gigolo Records
International DeeJay Gigolo Records is a German electronic music record label run by techno artist DJ Hell . The label was founded in Munich in 1996 as an affiliate of label Disko B. It is now based in Berlin and is Germany's most successful electronic music record label, specialising in electro,...
. A remix of the song "Kernkraft 400
Kernkraft 400
"Kernkraft 400" is a song performed by German techno and electro artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", German for "Nuclear Energy 400", which is a remix of a tune from the 1984 Commodore 64 game...
" on this debut release landed in high chart-positions all over the world, including number 2 in the United Kingdom
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...
.
Kernkraft 400 was a 1:1 melody copy from the Commodore C64 computer game Lazy Jones. Subtune 21, named "Stardust", was remixed by the German producer team Zombie Nation (initially unlicensed, which caused the producers to pay an undisclosed amount of money to David Whittaker) in their song Kernkraft 400.
Since 2001, Florian Senfter has released tracks on different labels under Zombie Nation and his other pseudonym John Starlight
John Starlight
John Starlight is another pseudonym of the Munich based musician and producer Florian Senfter. Beside his main project Zombie Nation he started releasing tracks as John Starlight in 2001.-Releases:...
. In 2002 he did not renew his contract with International DeeJay Gigolo Records
International DeeJay Gigolo Records
International DeeJay Gigolo Records is a German electronic music record label run by techno artist DJ Hell . The label was founded in Munich in 1996 as an affiliate of label Disko B. It is now based in Berlin and is Germany's most successful electronic music record label, specialising in electro,...
and started his own label, Dekathlon Records, where he released the second album "Absorber" in 2003. In early 2005, the new sublabel UKW Records was launched with John Starlight's John's Addiction Part 1 followed by Paeng Paeng 12" by Zombie Nation which was recorded a few months later. Sven Väth
Sven Väth
Sven Väth is a Frankfurt-based DJ who has produced an extensive range of work since his career began in 1982. From 1985, he was part of the band OFF which released the hit "Electrica Salsa" in 1986...
realized the potential of that song at first glance and licensed it for his Cocoon Recordings
Cocoon Recordings
Cocoon Recordings is a record label founded in 2000 and operated by DJ and electronic music producer Sven Väth. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Cocoon is a division of the Cocoon Music Event GmbH....
imprint.
The third album Black Toys which was released in 2006 on UKW Records Zombie Nation is a bass dominated soundscape
Soundscape
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment. The study of soundscape is the subject of acoustic ecology...
from tech-hop to funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
-laden house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
.
In 2007 Zombie Nation collaborated with Tiga
Tiga (musician)
Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
under the pseudonym ZZT on the recording "Lower State of Consciousness".
Zombie Nation is also known today as electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
liveact. Different from a DJ he uses musical hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
on stage to create sounds. The main instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
is an Akai MPC 4000 Music sequencer
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
which he uses in combination with a mixing console
Mixing console
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
and several effects unit
Effects unit
Effects units are electronic devices that alter how a musical instrument or other audio source sounds. Some effects subtly "color" a sound, while others transform it dramatically. Effects are used during live performances or in the studio, typically with electric guitar, keyboard and bass...
s to do a live arrangement
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
and Mix
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
of his music.
In December 2009 and January 2010 Zombie Nation created a collectively orchestrated track, and Florian tells the story like so:
"One cold day in December I had a brainwave. An idea for internet democratic music, made as a collaboration with my boys and girls on Facebook and Twitter. If you’re reading this you probably already know that it is my declared passion to mash samples together on my MPC, so the logical first step was to issue the callout: “send me your sounds!”
In the week that followed, my dropbox was inundated with whistles, basses and burps.
The next step was to split the sounds into categories and present them in 10 polls, and then open the voting up to the world. I created loops from the most popular sounds, and then opened them up to another popularity contest. The people spoke, once again, and chose their favourite five loops.
In the following weeks, between sessions taking my beloved MPC all over the world, I worked out an arrangement. A song! Part of this work was done streaming video from the studio, with about three hundred people watching and contributing to the decision making process. After a final round of feedback on the arrangement through SoundCloud
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings.-History:SoundCloud was originally started in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin, Germany in August, 2007 by sound designer Alex Ljung and artist Eric Wahlforss...
, the song was finalised. Tada!
The last step was to make the parts available to the public, so anyone could have a bash and submit a remix. We selected the six most interesting and unique remixes, and included them in the package.
Now only one thing was missing – a name! This was one element of the project that was beyond the capabilities of online democracy. The polling system hit its technical limits. So I decided to discuss the name with my new studio buddies, the people behind the original sounds submitted! And then at last, we had reached the end of the road.
This project was not an attempt to make a logical song, a marketable piece of music, or even one that would appeal to most. Rather, the idea was to produce a democratic piece of music; one in which anyone could take part, and influence the outcome. And I am happy to say that it worked out great!".
The result was a track by "Zombie Nation and Friends" titled "The Mind of Many". The sounds were by: 48oooooooooo, Certifiedsick, Coronium, D.L.I.D, Dastie, Drop The Lime, Flex Rock, Greg Shin, Hayashi, jhk, Jumping Jack Flash, Kim Moyes, L33ch, MAMM, Memorex, Nina Lou, Noize Generation, Pablo Decoder, Plastique de Reve, Brodinski, Prozac Polka, Randee Bugga, Shir Khan, Smashsnap, Solar Explosion, Springboard , Swam, Textbreak, The Model, Tocadisco, Uboot, uπit, Was, and Yibn. The artwork was sent by hannes at freieradikale.at and the song name “the mind of many” was proposed by Stephanie Nazywalskyj. At the moment, in addition to the original, there are number of remixes including ones by MAMM, Noize-Generation, Doberman, Operette, Plastique-de-reve, and obi-blanche.
Discography
Albums
- 1999 - LeichenschmausLeichenschmausLeichenschmaus is the first Studio-Album by the German techno and electro project of the Munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter ] who worked together on his Debut-Album with Emanuel Günther...
(GigoloInternational DeeJay Gigolo RecordsInternational DeeJay Gigolo Records is a German electronic music record label run by techno artist DJ Hell . The label was founded in Munich in 1996 as an affiliate of label Disko B. It is now based in Berlin and is Germany's most successful electronic music record label, specialising in electro,...
028) - 2003 - AbsorberAbsorber (album)Absorber is the second studio album by the German techno and electro project of the munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter a.k.a. Zombie Nation.It was released at 1 September 2003 on his self-founded Record Label Dekathlon Records....
(Dekathlon 010) - 2006 - Black ToysBlack ToysBlack Toys is the third studio album by the German techno and electro project of Munich-based DJ and producer Florian Senfter a.k.a. Zombie Nation.It was released on 6 November 2006 on Senfter's own record label UKW Records.- Track listing :...
(UKW 5) - 2009 - ZombieliciousZombieliciousZombielicious is the 4th studio album of Zombie Nation. It was written and produced by the German techno and electro DJ Florian Senfter.The Artwork was designed by Designliga and features an outside Jewelcase screen print.- Track listing :...
(UKW 12) - 2011 - Partys Over Earth as ZZT with TigaTiga (musician)Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
(Turbo 033)
EPs
- 2001 - Unload (GigoloInternational DeeJay Gigolo RecordsInternational DeeJay Gigolo Records is a German electronic music record label run by techno artist DJ Hell . The label was founded in Munich in 1996 as an affiliate of label Disko B. It is now based in Berlin and is Germany's most successful electronic music record label, specialising in electro,...
082) - 2003 - Souls at Zero, 12" (+Sven Väth Remix) (Dekathlon 009)
- 2003 - The Cut, 12" + DJ Naughty Remix (Dekathlon 012)
- 2005 - Paeng Paeng, 12" (UKW-2 // ltd. 500)
- 2005 - Paeng Paeng + Meatmaster Jack, 12" (Cocoon Records 17)
- 2006 - Money Talks, 12" (UKW 3)
- 2007 - Gizmode, 12" (UKW 8)
- 2007 - Lower State of Consciousness, 12" (UKW/Turbo) as ZZT with TigaTiga (musician)Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
including JusticeJustice (French band)Justice is a French electronic music duo consisting of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay . The duo is one of the most successful groups on Ed Banger Records and is managed by the label's head, Pedro Winter...
Remix. - 2008 - The Worm, 12" (UKW/Turbo) as ZZT with TigaTiga (musician)Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
including Erol AlkanErol AlkanErol Alkan is a London-based electro DJ of Turkish Cypriot descent.-DJ and club promoter:In 1993, Erol Alkan started DJing in various Indie nightclubs in London....
Remix. - 2008 - Forza, 12", remixes by Fukkk OfffFukkk OfffFukkk Offf is a DJ and producer, born Bastian Heerhorst, whose song "Rave Is King" reached the top of German club charts. He has released one full-length album entitled "Love Me Hate Me Kiss Me Kill Me" under the Coco Machete Records record label...
and Housemeister (UKW 10) - 2008 - Worth It, 12" (UKW 11)
- 2010 - Overshoot / Squeek, 12", remixes by DJ MehdiDJ MehdiMehdi Favéris-Essadi , better known by his stage name DJ Mehdi, was a French hip hop and electro producer of mixed French and Tunisian origin.-Biography:...
and Bart B More (UKW 13) - 2011 - Chickflick, 12", remixes by Boris DlugoschBoris DlugoschBoris Dlugosch is a house music producer from Germany. Boris is usually known for funky/deep house tracks, mostly produced in conjunction with Mousse T. and Michi Lange, his partners in the Peppermint Jam Records label....
and Siriusmo (UKW 14) - 2011 – Vulkan Alarm!, 12", as ZZT with TigaTiga (musician)Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
, remixes by Proxy and Jan Driver (Turbo 109)
Remixes
- 1999 Dakkar & Grinser – "Take me naked" (DiskoB 087)
- 1999 Philip Boa and the Voodoclub – "So What" (BMG Ariola)
- 1999 Sexual Harassment – "I need a freak" (Lasergun Rec.Lasergun 003)
- 1999 Frankie BonesFrankie BonesFrankie Bones is an American techno and house music disc jockey from New York City. He is best known for bringing the rave culture to the United States after playing at a hangar party in the UK during 1989...
– "My house is your house" (Bash Rec. bash 004) - 2001 Takkyū IshinoTakkyu Ishino, born December 26, 1967 in Shizuoka, Japan, is a Japanese composer and music producer. He is a member of the technopop group Denki Groove.- Singles :* anna - letmein letmeout （1999）* Stereo Nights （2001）* Takbam （2001）...
– "Suck me Disko" (Zomba Rec. EXEC 08) - 2001 I-FI-FI-f is the stage name of Ferenc E. van der Sluijs, a Dutch producer and DJ based in The Hague. He is a former member of the Dutch electro-pioneers Unit Moebius....
– "Space Invaders are smoking grass" (Loaded/Eastwest Leaded 012) - 2001 LadytronLadytronLadytron are an English electronic band formed in 1999 in Liverpool, Merseyside. The group consists of Helen Marnie , Mira Aroyo , Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu .Their sound blends electropop with New Wave and shoegazing elements. Ladytron described their sound as "electronic pop"...
– "Playgirl" (Labels/Virgin LC03098) - 2002 Colonel Abrahms – "Trapped" (eastwest UPUS011.03)
- 2002 Divine – "Native Love" (GigoloInternational DeeJay Gigolo RecordsInternational DeeJay Gigolo Records is a German electronic music record label run by techno artist DJ Hell . The label was founded in Munich in 1996 as an affiliate of label Disko B. It is now based in Berlin and is Germany's most successful electronic music record label, specialising in electro,...
/EDM 090) - 2002 AFA / Human League – "Being Boiled" (Edel 0141690CLU)
- 2002 My Robot Friend – "The Fake" (Dekathlon 002)
- 2002 Gater – "Taboo" (Dekathlon 003)
- 2002 Acid Scout – “Sexy Robot” (Kurbel 027)
- 2003 My Robot Friend – "Walt Whitman" (Dekathlon 008)
- 2004 NAM:LIVE – "The Church of NAM" (Dekathlon 013)
- 2004 Codec & Flexor – "Time has changed" (Television 08)
- 2007 Headman – "On" (Relish)
- 2008 The PresetsThe PresetsThe Presets are an Australian electronic duo formed in 2003, consisting of Julian Hamilton on vocals and keyboards, and Kim Moyes on drums and keyboards. They released their debut album Beams in 2005 to positive critical response. Their 2008 release Apocalypso debuted at number-one on the ARIA...
– "This Boy´s in Love" Modular - 2008 Three 6 MafiaThree 6 MafiaThree 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
– "I Got" - 2009 Adam FreelandAdam FreelandAdam Freeland is an English DJ and producer associated with breakbeat based electronic music. He was a resident of Brighton, moved to Los Angeles where he recorded second album Cope™ but is now based back in Brighton...
– "Under Control" (Marine Parade) - 2009 Kid SisterKid SisterMelisa Young better known by her stage name Kid Sister, is a rap artist based in Chicago, Illinois, well known for her single "Pro Nails", featuring Kanye West.-Background:Melisa Young was born July 3, 1980 in Markham, Illinois...
– "Get Fresh" (Fools Gold) - 2009 TigaTiga (musician)Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
– "What You Need" (Turbo Records)
Singles
- 2000 "Kernkraft 400Kernkraft 400"Kernkraft 400" is a song performed by German techno and electro artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", German for "Nuclear Energy 400", which is a remix of a tune from the 1984 Commodore 64 game...
" - #2 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, #22 Germany, #1 Greece, #100 France, #99 US, #5 Netherlands, #10 Belgium (Flanders), #2 Ireland - 2009 "Time Machine Mix"