1) Scorpio Rising were an English rock band in Liverpool from 1989 to 1994. The unique Scorpio Rising sound was driven from a diverse set of influences, combining breakbeat driven rythmns, strong pop melodies and funk influenced basslines sandblasted with pychedelic and experimental guitar distortion techniques. Earliest recordings feature heavy use of wah wah pedals and breakbeat/baggy drum patterns contemporary with the early nineties.
The unique Scorpio Rising sound was driven from a diverse set of influences, combining breakbeat driven rythmns, strong pop melodies and funk influenced basslines sandblasted with pychedelic and experimental guitar distortion techniques. Earliest recordings feature heavy use of wah wah pedals and breakbeat/baggy drum patterns contemporary with the early nineties.
Scorpio Risng came to the attention of the UK music press in 1991 with the release of "Watermelon" their first major backed single on Chapter 22 records. For a brief period their combination of infectious breakbeat flavoured drums, swirling distorted rock guitars and "new lad superstar" (NME 1991) frontman Mickey Banks was hailed as a new direction for UK indie/rock music. At this time the band recorded the 6 track mini album If. If... featured a new rock sound different from the bands comtemporaries, with funk influenced bass lines, soft pychedelic guitars on the slower tracks and stooges style rock guitars backed with "baggy" rythmns for the first time on the faster tracks. The album was well received by the UK music press, leading to sold out headlining dates across the UK and rave reviews of the live shows, which started to feature stage diving by the audiences.
Scorpio Rising then recorded their one and only full length album "Pig Symphony".
Scorpio Rising took the sound of the electric guitar into new territory with the prodigious use of ripped speakers, metal pipe acoustics and vintage film studio recording equipment when recording Breathing Underwater/Zero for Chapter 22 in Eds Garage, (now defunct vintage recording studio in Camden Town, London) in 1992. This session (co-produced by Teo Miller who also produced Daisy Chainsaw led to "Pig Symphony" for Sire/Elektra when the band were signed to the label by the legendary Seymour Stein, who flew from New York to see the band headline the Marquee club in London in 1992.
Pig Symphony was recorded over Christmas 1992 at Rockfield Studios Monmouth, was produced by Teo Miller and Scorpio Rising.
During the 1993 PWEI tour preceding Pig Symphony the band lost bassist Steve Soar, and went into the studio as a four piece. Steve Soar appears on "Breathing Underwater" and "Fountain Of You" both recorded during the Breathing Underwater sessions at Ed's Garage.
Scorpio Rising returned to the studio to record the follow up for Sire, Titled "Brutal Deluxe", the new album was produced by Steve Osborne of Perfecto, producer of Happy Mondays Thrills Pills and Bellyaches and U2. Recorded and mixed in 1993 at Orinoco and Battery Studio's in London, Brutal Deluxe took Scorpio Rising in a new direction, and included the totally unique thrash / trance track "Bugcatcher" which was later remixed by Steve Osborne and included in Paul Oakenfold's legendary Goa trance sets for Radio 1.
The album was never released by Sire.Rockin'
2) MILLENNIUM DISCO out of Austin Texas.
Scorpio Rising is an electro/dance/rock band from Austin, Texas, whose
recordings and intense live performances have made them one of Austin's
premiere entertainment commodities.
Hailed as one of Austin's best Goth/Industrial bands and DJ bands
by the Austin Chronicle Music Poll, Scorpio Rising's fans have
likened their sound to The Rolling Stones meet Scissor Sisters,
with vocals reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper, Shirley Manson, and Madonna,
polished with a touch of Motown.
Scorpio Rising started in the mid 1990's as a side project of
Austin Funk outfit Retarted Elf's vocalist/dancer
Madame Scorpio and guitarist Wonderbred. The two had compiled a
huge catalogue of new material and wanted to take it to the stage.
Scorpio Rising has built a diverse and loyal fan base throughout
Texas, playing consistently in Austin, San Antonio, Houston,
Belton, Dallas, Bryan/College Station
and Corpus Christi. Festival appearances include the Central Texas
State Fair, SXSW showcase and Eeyores birthday party.
Scorpio Rising's debut recording, Scorpio Tales was written, recorded and
produced by Wonderbred and Madame Scorpio. Their sophomore effort,
Vain Bastard was a full band effort and included songs ?Get It Up? and
?Eerie,? which have both enjoyed publishing success and can be
heard on The Discovery Network, a compilation CD release from
the WB network, clothing ads, and video game song distribution.
The band's latest release, Feels Good was released in
July 2008 to rave reviews by fans and critics alike.
Scorpio Rising's current line-up includes
Madame Scorpio on vocals,
Wonderbred on bass and guitar
D.J. Bixler on drums.
This incarnation has been performing, touring and
recording together for the past three years.
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