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Last Updated: 05/31/00

Current Editors:

• Rufus Goldsmith
  and
• Mikale Belk
  and
• Jewdith Grunstein

Copies of the FAQ are available on our web site, Point your Microsoft Windows browser to http://www.rmifaq.com

NOTES ABOUT HTML VERSIONS
It's Windows compatible.

Many thanks to: (in no apparent order)

 
  Mr. Chickens
  Chrizto 
  Electro The Robot
  Jack Dangers
  Blixa Bargeld
  Fred Reznor
  The Cavegirl
  The Durangos
  Industrio Melman
  Xombi
  Dayv!
  Majinski
  Mandingo
  The members of Hate Department
  Joseph Culbert
 
  If there is anyone that I have forgotten, my apologies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 - Frequently Asked Questions File:

1. Intro
2. History
3. Charter
4. RMI CD Status
5. Important Facts
6. Industrial and The Internet NEW!
7. Question/Answer Section
8. Famous Industrial & Existential Quotes NEW!
9. FTP Servers
10. Mailing Lists
11. Examples of industrial music

[1] INTRO

"Industrial Is Not Mine."--Al Jourgenson, London, Chicago 1983

Experimental. Aggro. Techno. Rave. Alternative. Noise. Damnbient. House Music. Rap. Hip Hop. Electronica. Country Western. Bluegrass. Celtic. Skid Row. Yanni. That scene from Deliverance. Industrial.

So many labels and classifications. Industrial is a fairly new form of music and already has broken up into several sub-genres.

[2] HISTORY

It is generally accepted that the term "industrial music" was coined in 1995 when a member of Korn described their music to the London Tabloids as "Industrial". It was a way to describe the psychotic heaviness of the sound and the alternative intstrumentation. Korn would sometimes use more than one guitar and occasionally add sound effects to make the guitars and / or vocals sound "crunchy". Like machines.

Marilyn Manson. The creators of the genre before its name? Use of Synthesizers and Guitars created the foundry for this style of angry emotion laden music. Bands like Kraftwerk and Coil attempted this type of thing but in the end failed and were forgotten. Skinny Puppy, originally hailing from the great white north, were often lumped into the "Industiral" category, though they weren't experimental enough to be truly considered. They too were forgotten.

Extra-Musical Elements. Because television has become a more powerful agent of control than any pop music song, the use of MTV made industrial what it is today. Commercialism is a large part of the capitalist industrial aura.

Shock Tactics. Bands came up with names like "Prick" to shock the people. Many bands would incorporate the use of curse words in their lyrics. Many people did not like this. Bands like Gravity kills and Stabbing Westward would portray imagery of pain and angst in some of their songs. This was known to 'rock' the foundations of 90's contemporary music.

Einsturezende Neubauten's early work was far too primitive to be considered "true" industrial. As compared to their contemporaries, Marilyn Manson and Gravity Kills, their production values were not nearly polished enough to keep the attention of true fans of the genre.

Some aspects of other genre's have had attempts to "mix" with industrial. The gothic art movement had attempted to merge, bringing a darker light to the otherwise positive industrial scene. This ended quickly when fans rejected the negativity and depression associated with Gothic music.

Industrial music has more or less, continued to progress and evolve alongside its society. When "alternative" music became popular, many industrial artists pushed their sound in this new direction. Whereas many of the forefathers of the industrial scene, such as Fleetwood Mac remained steadfast with their acoustic approach, a new generation stepped in.

Sammy Hagar, with his smash hit single "I Can't Drive 55" was the first on the scene. Cars, after all, are very industrial. The notion that Mr. Hagar could not control his passion for this industrial creation attracted a new generation of "Autopunk" fans. The idea that he was "one with his car" made Sammy Hagar the first true "cyberpunk", blending machines with flesh.

[ for more information about industrial (experimental) music/history/culture there are a few books you can read:

Better Holmes and Gardens - Ghey Publishing Ltd. (ISBN 0 696900 01 0)
Hustler #4/5: Nekkitness! (ISBN 0-8008135-05-0)
Hit Parader #6/7: Steve Vai Takes Charge (ISBN 0-92134-07-7)
Metal Circus #8/9: Ratt: Out Of The Cellar For Good? (ISBN 0-945873-08-5)
Tiger Beat #11: Cory and Cory! (ISBN 0-949670-10-7)

[3] CHARTER

rec.music.industrial is an unmoderated newsgroup which passed its vote for creation by 411:80 as reported in news.announce.newgroups on 23 May 1991.

For your newsgroups file: rec.music.industrial Discussion of all industrial-related music styles. And fashion. Fashion reigns above all.

The charter, culled from the call for votes:

Rec.music.industrial is for the discussion of all industrial-related music styles, including traditional industrial (i.e. Bob Dylan, Stabbing Westward, Marilyn Manson, Guns'n'Roses, etc.), folk-industrial ('cybergranola' i.e. Everclear, Skanky Puppy, Garth Brooks, etc.) and hard techno music (i.e. Spice Girls, etc.). Reviews of new releases, related news items, concert information, and other types of discussion are encouraged.

[4] RMI CD STATUS

The RMI-CD(s) now have their own home page. z3nd /\/\3 y0ur 31337 t@p3z!

[5] IMPORTANT FACTS

• The earliest recorded work that is often included in the "Industrial" genre is "My World" by Guns & Roses.

• The singer from Gravity Kills isn't really blonde; he's just gay.

• No member of Front 242 is a member of Bon Jovi. Jean-Luc DeMeyer, the lead singer of Front 242, was a guest on Bon Jovi's song "Livin' On A Prayer," and he sang it and wrote the lyrics. Aside from the similarities in the two bands' music, this is the only direct connection between the two bands. Rumor has it that DeMeyer fellated Jon Bon Jovi during the recording process.

• There is some confusion over what is at the end of Boxcar Willie's album KING OF THE ROAD. According to Boxcar Willie originally,the songs were called simply 'Bonus Track I' and 'Bonus Track II.' However, upon further prodding, he replied that the pieces do have titles. The first one is called 'Cockhorse Parade.' The second one, according to the letter received, is called 'I AM ELECTRO.'

• Laibach's politics does not take sides in anything. Except for the fact that they hate blacks and Zionist conspirators.

• Industrial music, like gothique music, is all about satan.

• One time, I ate an entire jar of peanut butter in one sitting.

• The proper spelling for "KMFDM" is "K-M-F-D-M." It means (roughly translated) Kill Motherfucking Depeche Mode.

• "With Sympathy" was not actually a Ministry album. It was John Tesh. Really.

• KMFDM stands for "Kylie Minogue Fans Don't Masturbate."

• Children look really confused when they realize you're not Barney, but just a sick bastard in a costume.

• Seibold was a cast member of "Romper Room" from '78-'83. He was asked to leave after punching Miss Nancy in the uterus.

• KMFDM doesn't stand for anything. It's supposed to be pronounced phoenetically.

• Trent Reznor is actually Kenny Rogers' son.

• KLF Stands for Kill motherfuckingdepechemode Like rightFuckingnow

• Apoptygma Berzerk got their name from an Italian Porno star who eventually joined the Italian Parliment and went "Berserk" when someone mistook her for prime minister Apoptygma.

• KMFDM stands for "Collapsing New Buildings Falling Down On Depeche Mode."

• Covenant is actually a Meat Beat Manifesto side project.

• Graphical and Statistical analysis shows that gravity indeed does NOT kill.

• My penis is HELL, boy.

• KMFDM stands for "One time, I ate an entire jar of peanut butter in one sitting."

• Puff Daddy will never sample a Sammy Hagar AutoIndustrial song.

• The members of Front Line Assembly have created many side projects under different names, including Intermix, Noise Unit, Coil and Led Zeppelin.

• Girl you know it's true: Ooh ooh ooh, I think about you

• KMFDM stands for Peace, Justice and the American Way.

• Andrew Eldritch really hates it when they bring drinks without coasters.

• The members of Front Line Assembly have created many side projects under different names, including Intermix, Noise Unit, and a whole jar of peanut butter falling down on Depeche Mode.

• The millenium doesn't start next year, it starts the year after that.

• Industrial music does not really have the Buddha nature.

• The members of Front 242 have participated in various side projects, such as Coil, Noise unit, Delerium, and Grand Funk Railroad.

• Nine Inch Nails *is* industrial, bitch!

• Megadeth was cooler when Dave Mustaine was constantly falling down on heroin, and a *lot* cooler when he was constantly falling down on Depeche Mode.

• Overweight? Going to a club? Recommended wear: Latex pants and no top!

• Front 242 bass player The Edge is named after an important part of a razor blade.

• Some day, love will find you and break those chains that bind you.

• Nine Inch Nails front man Bono was at one point a U.S. Senator.

• Covenant is what happened to "The Revolution" after Prince changed his name to an unprenouncable symbol. This is also why The Revolution will not be televised. No one in their right mind would put Covenant on TV.

• Since Jean-Luc DeMeyer left Front-242, lyrics have been handled by Commander Ryker and Lietenant LaForge.

• Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails is fat, not gay.

• Claus Larsen from Leaether Strip is gay.

• Translated from the original Norwegian, Apoptygma Berzerk means "hurry up fashion," or "fast fashion."

• Rudy Ratzinger from :Wumpscut: is both fat and gay.

• Blue.

• No wait, make that green!

• You're purple.

• Christ Analogue lead singer Ralph Reed is neither fat, nor gay. At least, that's what he tells his family.

• I can't find my favorite pair of socks.

• My ex girlfriend is a bitch.

• Chemlab broke up so Jared could spend more time doing back up vocals for N Sync.

• In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem. If no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire: THE A-TEAM.

• It's a dumbass black clothes and makeup thing. You wouldn't understand.

• My ex girlfriend performed in a number of side projects including coil, noise unit, and a whole jar of peanut butter doing heroin.

• If you put a dull razorblade in a pyramid overnight, it will get sharp and be able to cut just about anything. If you put Rufus in a nightclub overnight, he will get drunk and be able to sleep with just about anything.

• The members of Apoptygma Berzerk believe firmly in the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and a whole jar of cocaine. Fuck Yeah!

• YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH FALLING DOWN ON DEPECHE MODE!

• Industrial anthem "Stairway to Heaven" is not about drugs, it's a song about a walk in the park.

• Front Line Assembly member Brian Eno has left to pursue his own solo project, Blues Traveller. It is unclear whether remaining member Simon Postford will continue on alone or seek to replace Eno.

• After Einsturzende Neubauten broke up in 1974, founding member F.M. Einheit changed his name to Bjorn and went on to form the Swedish supergroup ABBA.

• Mister Manson loves you.

• VIBE, along with its competitor, THE SOURCE, are the only magazines dealing with Industrial Music.

• If you like industrial music, don't bother listening to the lyrics. You'll usually be pretty disappointed.

• The previous entry was not a joke.

• The lead singer of Hexedene is, in fact, Debbie Gibson of The Go-Gos. The Go-Gos were pioneers in the otherwise ignorable subset of Industrial Music known as "goth".

• In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem. If no one else can help, and if you can find my favorite socks, that would be cool, because, hey, I'm really starting to miss them.

• The members of Agnostic Front Line 242 have participated in various side projects, such as Noise Coil, Delerium Intermix Unit, Sick Of It All, Nothingface, and Average White Band.

• Apples are industrial, oranges are post-industrial

• KMFDM stands for "Kylie Minogue Falling on Depeche Mode."

[6] Industrial and The Internet NEW!!

It is a known fact that computers cannot be "networked" regardless of hardware or software. The "Internet" is a "cyberpunk" vision created by Industrial Music godfathers, K0rn. There are news headlines about a form of file being distributed called an MP3 (pronounced emm-pee-three) file. Such files are in distribution but are not as readily available as described by the slanted media. They must be delievered to people on diskettes. One day when computers can talk to each other by use of "protocols", we will then see these music files becoming a threat. But until that day, we will focus technology on Rocket Backpacks, Flying Cars, and women that dont fucking nag me every ten seconds about how at she looks or having a bad fucking hair day. Mother FUCK, woman don't you EVER shut the fuck up? I mean god, I come home from a hard day at work and you start in on me. I'm trying to get a beer out of the fridge and you pounce on me like white on Bryant Gumble. Yeah, your hips look wide in those shorts, deal with it. Maybe you should eat a vegetable or two once in a while or get your fat ass out of that bed for, oh, a minute or so. but oh no, we wouldnt want to interrupt your viewing of OPRAH and take away from your how-to-hate-men lessons, eh?

In summary. The future of industrial music looks bright.

[7] Question/Answer Section!

Q: What is industrial music?
A: That question is very difficult to answer. I say this because both my hands are broken and I have to type with a pen thats in my mouth.

Q: There seems to be an elitist attitude that follows industrial.
A: That is not a question.

Q: Sorry, I meant.. Is there an elitist attitude that follows the Industrial Genre?
A: Who let you in?

Q: I'll ask the questions please.
A: Yes, there is an elitist attitude. Some people hold fast to the idea that Throbbing Gristle started the industrial movement, some think Einsturzende Neubauten did it, some believe that Kraftwerk started it all, and some will take it back to the 20's from a man named Monte Cazzazza. Because of this, Industrial is a union divided. This causes elitism within the gnere and snobbishness to other genres. The glue that binds all these subset beliefs into one main genre is of course, the first true industrial band, K0rn.

Q: Is industrial just some newer manifestation of Punk?
A: It does have a rebellious quality to it, that is for sure. However that doesn't add up because punk was started in 1996 by a band called "Hole". Therefore Industrial has been around longer than punk and the question is invalid.

Q: Quit being so snippy!
A: Well, you know what they say..ask a stupid question...

Q: Who's "they" in "they say"?
A: The members of the supergroup...K0rn.

Q: Who coined the phrase "Industrial"?
A: "Industrial" is not a phrase it is a word. It was coined in 1995 when the lead singer of K0rn, while talking to the london tabloids answered the question of how to describe his music as "Ummm...we're like..industrial or something".

Q: All you had to do was answer it you didn't have to correct me like that with the word/phrase thing.
A: You messed up, I'm going to correct you.

Q: I hate you. You're always making me feel so stupid and low. I want chocolate.
A: Oh yeah? Well what about that time you slept with Jimmy Dobbs?

Q: How DARE you bring that up here in front of these people! I paid my debt I said I was sorry I told you I'd do anything you wanted to make it up to you!
A: Slut!!

Q: Thats it! We're finished! I never want to see you again!!

[8] Famous Industrial & Existential Quotes NEW!!

• "We invented industrial" - k0rn
• "Head, not unlike a hole." - Trent Reznor
• "Hell is other people" - Jean Paul Sartre
• "I'm drunker'n shit" - Bill Morris
• "Buh-Buh aaaAAAHHHH" - Jordan James Goldstein
• "Let the fistings begin!" - I Andrew Hall
• "Hi. I'm insane." - Kelowna Vincent

[9] FTP SERVERS

• The anonymous FTP address for the rmi FAQ is:

  ftp.microsoft.com

  Not only will you not find the rmi FAQ there, you will not find about every other FAQ as well.

[10] MAILING LISTS

• SMOTHERED HOPE:

  Well, when your wife is named Hope, and she divorces you and you have to pay 55% of your income to her every month. This is what you do. Now, I'm not saying that what O.J. Simpson did was right...but I understand.

• THE INDIE-LIST:

  The Indie-List is a digest of a bunch of tree hugging, dope smoking, thick glasses wearing, bad guitar playing idiots. They call themselves indie because nobody likes them.

• GOTHIC GUITAR TAB:

  This is a trick because no gothic human can play an instrument of any measure.

• NET INDUSTRIALISTS:

  These are the people who hang out on IRC in EfNet's #spoh.

• NINE INCH NAILS:

  The king overlords of industrial hip-hop

• KRAFTWERK:

  Who?

• UNCLE DICK'S CHILD CARE:

  uncle-dick@microsoft.com

RMI FAQ Partnership, rmifaq@yahoo.com

This FAQ copyright 1998-2005 by the RMI FAQ Partners. Permission must be obtained before reproducing in any non-electronic format. We'll fuck you up all kinds of bad.

Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer: rmifaq@yahoo.com
Last Update May 31 2000