'Revealing The Groovy World, Beat by Beat'

In a music culture often dominated by the nameless, faceless legions of acts in search of the "Next Big Hit" - but with nothing in particular to say - comes Where's Our Piece of the Groovy World?, the brand new double album from dPulse Recordings/INgrooves/Neo artists 3kStatic.

Featuring nearly two dozen guest artists, remix producers and collaborators from across the music spectrum - and drawing on the influence of Dadaist art and electronic music pioneers like Cabaret Voltaire, Meat Beat Manifesto and Tackhead - Where's Our Piece of the Groovy World? is anything but typical radio fare.

Incorporating organic elements of funk, house, trip-hop and orchestral rock, 3kStatic follows up the success of the 2004-2005 discs Perversion: For Profit (digital sales over 11,000 units), The Great Republic and Cut Up // Liberate (featuring original album art by Richard H. Kirk) with a definitive 22-track statement that reasserts the message - and the means to put that message across.

Where's Our Piece of the Groovy World? finds 3kStatic again stepping up as a voice for the unheard.

Highlighted by collaborations with George Clinton & The P*Funk All-Stars, Joy Askew, Pete Miser, Annette Strean, Robert Bond and many others, Where's Our Piece of the Groovy World? is available now in multiple configurations.

Chatting recently with 3kStatic's Dean, and noting that it has been stated in their press that with this album they are "continuing to forge" a "presence on the underground electronic scene," I admitted that I as confused: Why was this scene still 'underground' and why can't it be brought into the light?! "Well, the best way to address that is to say that - to most folks - electronic music falls into two categories: dance and noise. The problem is that the most accessible dance songs rarely cross over into any sort of 'mainstream' exposure - and the most experimental sounds don't get recognized. The result is that not very many critics take the genre seriously. In a way, we've been fortunate to do both - be seen as a legitimate artistic project but still sell records."

Fusing an eclectic soundscape of influences from such bands as Cabaret Voltaire and Parliament must be fun at the best of times, but are there pit falls to be wary of in doing such a thing, perhaps? "It seems to come naturally - to an extent - but there are certainly pitfalls to doing anything perhaps a little on the ambitious side. That said, this has been a project that has been evolving for seven years along these lines and it comes together a little more each time out."

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying the new CD, how would you yourself describe your sound? "Probably the best description would perhaps be that it's a political music very much based on the post-punk era of the original 'Industrial" bands, but with a perhaps more modern approach."

Your album title 'Where's Our Piece of The Groovy World ...?' is an interesting choice, but perhaps it originates from a more personal standpoint for you? "Actually, the title of this album is meant to be a pretty straightforward statement that reflects our overall view of the world...but there is also a context that relates to giving recognition to folks who came before us in making music like this."

If there was one track on this expansive new album that truly encapsulated 3kStatic at its musical and lyrical finest, which one would it be? "If forced to pick only one - and only from this album - it would be 'Signal Intelligence' with Robert Bond. It's a track that came together well, has a strong message and also touches on the principles of the Dadaist art movement, from which we also draw a great deal of influence."

And at what point did you realize that with all the songs you were recording that a massive 22 song double CD was going to have to fit the bill? "One one hand, you could say that it 'just happened'. In reality, we had the freedom to create something that was a unified statement. We knew from the beginning that once we had assembled a normal album's length worth of material - and still had something to say - we could say it."

OK, and while we're revealing things, just where did the name 3kStatic originate ... and what other names were on the backburner just in case this one didn't take?! "The name is derived from '3 kelvin black background radiation' - essentially radio static present in space that has been present since the big bang. Perhaps not the usual choice as an inspiration for a band name. There were no other names considered, but you would be surprised to see some folks' interpretation of the name - there have been tons of them!"

The roster of guests on this CD is impressive also, but whose contribution are you most proud of achieving in reflection ... and why? "All of them. The idea was not to dwell on names - although you are right that there are a great number of accomplished and well-known guests on this album. Instead, we were looking for folks who shared a similar experience and outlook as we do, and whose unique input took this from a 'concept album' to massive collaboration."

If you could cover any '80s (possibly cheesy!) pop song, which one would it be ... and why?! "'You Dropped a Bomb on Me' by the Gap Band - it could have interesting implications if taken completely out of context. Plus, it's a great song."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "Have never had a problem with them!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of 3kStatic's new CD, just answer this easy question: The album track 'So, So Sad' features Kirk Cornelius of The Suns of Norway along with a wonderful female artist. What is her name and what band is she from?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before October 15th with your answer and the subject title 'CONTEST: 3KSTATIC SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

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