Haackula, Bruce Haack

By: Mark Gomes
Date: 14th May 08
Release: Album
To Cure: Hypertension

What:
Haackula

MySpace:
Here

Weirdo electronic music pioneer, Bruce Haack (1931-1988), was a fantastically creeped-out character who, while making a career in children's music during the '60s and '70s, moonlighted as the satanic prophet of modern death-electro pop. Everyone from Kraftwerk to Crystal Castles are indebted to Haack's pioneering work in modified instruments, synth-building and sampling technology, but also to his adult-version, Nosferatu aesthetic, bitter vocodered lyricism and fuck-you attitude to the music industry. Maligned for its decadent emotional assault, Haack's work is a dream discovery for fans of obscure music. And Haackula, suppressed since 1978 - until now, thanks to local label Omni Recording Corporation - is the perfect place to start.

Packed with astonishing, home-made electronic sounds, forever rhythms worthy of Suicide and bleak, potty-mouthed vocals, Haackula is the perverted sound of a Dennis Potter character gone SF – sexually thwarted, broke, apocalyptic and hysterically imaginative. Song titles 'Blow Job', 'Death Machine' and 'Tit for Tat' hint at what you get, but really, Haack is a case of must-be-heard-to-be-believed. Rounded out with 1982's club hit 'Party Machine' - produced in collaboration with a young Russell Simmons - and bonus, thirty minute soundtrack masterpiece, 'Icarus', this archive release is a must have, anti-whack treasure for fans of electronica.