12 Rounds

Country of origin:

U.S. as far as I can tell

Type of music generally:

Fierce, edgy alternative ectronic, with eclectic influences

Status:

Most recent release, My Big Hero (1998)

See also:

12 Rounds' site

Atticus Ross now plays with Error; Claudia Sarne also was in NearLY.

Comparisons:

A growling Carol Channing does dark trip-hop blues.

Covers/own material:

Own, with samples

General comments:

Dark gothic bluesy trip-hop/acid jazz goes bad and I love it. This is evil—EVIL I tell you. Yum. Claudia Sarne's vocals move from ethereal butterly soft to gutteral growl, and the background noises go from equally soft to noise, always complementary to the song. Really intriguing unusual music. (Neile)

Recommended first album:

My Big Hero is the only one we've heard

Recordings:

• Jitter Juice (1996)
• My Big Hero (1998)

My Big Hero

Release info:

1998—Nothing Records—INTD-90154

Availability:

Wide in U.S.

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for fans of darker music

Group members:

Claudia Sarne—vocals, piano, bass, keyboards, SH 101
Atticus Ross—drums programming, instrument programming, keyboards, bass

Guest artists:

Mark de Lane Lea—guitars, distorted 808
Stanley Adler—distorted cello, strings score, cello, cello bass
Andy Crisp—live drums, top kit
Audrey Riley—leader of string quartet
Barry Adamson—bass
Kerry Hopwood—pro-tools edits, analogue FX
Ian Mussington—drums
Leo Ross—additional guitars
Dave Pine—bass
Philip Bagenal—chainsaw

Comments:

A fascinating trip into the dark side of trip hop. I like this whole album that I got on spec simply because I liked the "Pleasant Smell" video. (Neile)