BRAINIAC :: Electro-Shock For President EP DAYTON, OH Tim Taylor Synth Punk Rock

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Brainiac (sometimes stylized as 3RA1N1AC) was an American Indie Rock band formed in 1992, and disbanded after the sudden death of lead singer Tim Taylor in 1997.

After a slew of singles, they released their debut album, Smack Bunny Baby, on Grass/BMG Records in 1993. Bonsai Superstar, now with John Schmersal on guitar in place of Bodine, followed the next year. In 1995 they played on the Lollapalooza side stage and recorded four songs in the UK for the BBC Peel Sessions. They joined Touch and Go Records and released Internationale, produced by Kim Deal (of the Pixies). The following year, their third album, Hissing Prigs in Static Couture, was released on the Touch & Go label. All three of their albums were produced by Eli Janney (of Girls Against Boys).

Brainiac generated a buzz as the live act to see that resulted in opening tours for Beck, the Breeders and the Jesus Lizard and receiving offers from major labels. In 1997 they released an electronic-based EP called Electro-Shock for President which turned out to be their last record: Tim Taylor was killed in a car accident on May 23, 1997, during the pre-production for their fourth album, which was due out on Interscope Records. The group soon disbanded. A benefit show featuring The Breeders and Guided By Voices took place a few months later.

Electro-Shock for President is the last release from the band Brainiac. The band decided to use only electronic equipment instead of guitars to demonstrate the band's ever-evolving sound. This album was intended to be a teaser for Brainiac's fourth album, expected to be their major label debut on Interscope Records. However, vocalist and keyboard player Tim Taylor died in a car accident shortly after this album's release.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails noted in a BBC radio show (May 2005) that Brainiac was "really inspiring to me from a sonic standpoint." He went on to say that while recording 2005's With Teeth, he would use Electro-Shock for President as a sound reference.

"Brainiac was a band that, on this particular record, the sound would be something we'd reference, because it sounded very low tech electronic garagey sounding. It has an interesting low tech sound to it that was inspiring. Even thinking about that visually would lead us into certain paths of production ideas." - Trent Reznor

Tim Taylor :: vocals, keyboards
John Schmersal :: electric guitar, keyboards
Tyler Trent :: drums
Juan Monasterio :: bass guitar

Track Listing:

A Side

Fresh New Eyes – 2:19
Flash Ram – 3:34
Fashion 500 – 2:21

B Side

The Turnover – 2:09
For My Beloved – 0:51
Mr. Fingers – 2:59