Difference between revisions of "Finite Automata"

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{{Infobox Musician
 
{{Infobox Musician
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| subject_name   = Finite Automata
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|subject_name = Finite Automata
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| image_name      = Fa_live_2009.jpg
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|background = group_or_band
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| image_size      = 300px
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|origin = Pensacola, Florida, United States
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| image_caption  = Finite Automata performing live in 2009 in Mobile, Alabama.
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|image_name = Fa_live_2009.jpg
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| origin          = Pensacola, FL
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|image_size = 300px
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| genres         = Post-Industrial<br />Electro-Industrial<br />Experimental<br />Aggrotech
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|genres = Post-industrial<br>Electro Industrial<br>Industrial rock<br>Dark ambient
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| influences      = Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, Front 242, Project Pitchfork, Cabaret Voltaire, Hexen Process, Psyclon Nine, Columbine, Mind Altering Substance, The Ludovico Technique
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|years_active = 2006&ndash;present
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| years_active   = 2006-Present
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|labels = Beyond Therapy Records
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| labels         = unsigned
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|associated_acts = [[Vimana Cult]], [[Transfer Case]]
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| associated_acts = [[Transfer Case]]<br />[[Vimana Cult]]<br />[[Wizard Cock]]
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|website = [http://www.finiteautomata.net finiteautomata.net Official Website]
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| website         = [http://www.myspace.com/finiteautomata www.myspace.com/finiteautomata]
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|members = [[Mod Eschar]]<br/>[[c. Grendel]]<br/>[[Mat Syn]]
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| members         = [[Dom Price|Mod Eschar]]<br />[[Christopher Stanley|(c.) Grendel]]<br />[[Mat Porter|Mat Pathetic]] 2007-2008, 2010-Present<br />[[Thomas Carpenter]] 2010-Present
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|former_members = [[Vic Martinez]]
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| former_members = [[Vic Martinez|Vik Martinez]] (Live 2008-2009)
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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Finite Automata is a Pensacola based electro-industrial and aggrotech group. Their sound has been noted as fusing elements of EBM, darkwave, elecktro, and dark ambient. They are known locally for their highly confrontational live performances which feature the use of strange contraptions, sharp objects, candles, wire, and various props. They are also known for their disturbingly fatalistic approach when dealing with the subject matter of their material, which is often rabidly introspective and politically charged.
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'''Finite Automata''' is an American [[industrial music|industrial]] musical group formed in [[Pensacola, Florida]] in 2006. They are known for their deep layered sound, frequent experimental live use of sound making devices such as radios and tapedecks, and their highly politically charged, confrontational, and theatrical stage performances.<ref>Michael Smith, "Industrial acts converge on the Big Easy Tavern", ''gopensacola.com'', Feb 2, 2012. [http://www.gopensacola.com/article/20120203/GOPENSACOLA05/120202004/Industrial-acts-converge-Big-Easy-Tavern]</ref> The group's name stems from the computer science concept of [[Finite State Machines]], used as a metaphor for the predictability of human behavior.<ref>Jessica Franz (Chirality), "Interview with Finite Automata", ''Carpe Nocturne Magazine'', June 1, 2011. [http://www.carpenocturnemagazine.com/ISSUES_2011/SUMMER_2011/] Access date: March 12, 2012.</ref> The band cites 1980's and 1990s electro-industrial groups  [[Skinny Puppy]], [[Front Line Assembly]], and [[Project Pitchfork]] as their primary influences.
  
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== Background ==
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==History==
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The band came together as a chaotic side project in mid-2006 and was plagued by line-up changes, with front-man Mod Eschar (Dom Price) the only consistent member until early April of 2007, when he was approached by c. Grendel (Christopher Stanley) who expressed interest in helping with the project. Grendel became Finite Automata's primary keyboardist and composer, with Mod arranging sequences and providing snarled growling vocals.
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Finite Automata is the product of a project started in 2006 by musician, programmer, and visual artist [[Mod Eschar]] (Dominique Price), as an attempt to create a sound similar to 80's electro industrial. In 2007 Eschar was joined by keyboardist [[c. Grendel]] (Christopher Stanley) and later by musician [[Mat Syn]] (Mathew Porter). <ref>Michael Smith, "Finite Automata, Preacher, Transfer Case @ The Handlebar. 05/07/11", ''Take Cover and Shoot'', May 19, 2011. [http://takecoverandshoot.com/2011/05/19/finite-automata-preacher-transfer-case-the-handlebar-050711/] Access date: March 12, 2012.</ref> After several years of playing regionally they were picked up by [[Beyond Therapy Records]] in 2011 and released their first [[Extended play|EP]] ''Here Won No One'' on that label.  
  
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In September of the same year the two were joined by Ex-Pathetics guitarist [[Mat Pathetic]]; who became the band's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_(music) gadgetrist] and primary guitarist. Pathetic contributed to the song ''Filth In Eyes''; a confrontational piece inspired by the band's disagreement with the activities of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church Westboro Baptist Church] and religious bigotry in general. Porter left the band in early 2008 due to conflicting musical interests with c. Grendel and Pathetics's then repeated tardiness to practice and recording sessions due to his own responsibilities at the time.
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The group is currently working on two studio albums including an official back release of their first album ''Recurse'', which contains material written and recorded between 2007 and 2010 by Eschar and c. Grendel, and their upcoming new release containing their most recent material.
  
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Pathetic was replaced by Vic "Vik" Martinez in September of 2008, who added some unorthodox guitar work and provided a much needed third layer to the band's overall sound. In addition to contributing bass guitar lines to their song ''"Caustic"'', Martinez also incorporated elements of bass synth and live sample triggering to the band's live performances. However a falling out with Mod and scheduling conflicts forced Martinez's departure in December 2009. As a result, former gadgetrist Mat Pathetic stepped in to replace Martinez for the band's then upcoming ''"Dogma Eye"'' tour. Following their appearance at the Orlando based 'Florida Underground Industrial Music Festival', Mat Pathetic once again became the band's permanent Guitarist and Gadgetrist. In mid 2010, legal problems briefly forced his departure for a few months. Later that year they were joined by their second keyboardist and arranger Thomas Carpenter.
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==Discography==
  
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In late 2010, the band was rumored to have broken up, however Mod Eschar confirmed that the band was indeed on temporary hiatus due to personal difficulties. The group has since returned to the studio to begin work on their first official release.
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* Full albums
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** ''Recurse'' (written in 2008)
  
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The group has gained a modest following in the Pensacola music scene, however this is often overshadowed by acts of other genres. The group makes infrequent appearances due to the enormous amount of planning and scale required for their performances. They have played local venues such as [[Sluggo's]], [[End of the Line Cafe]], and [[The Handlebar]]. The band has played shows with local acts such as [[User Assumes Risk]] and [[Vomit Gun]]. The band recently performed at the ''Florida Underground Industrial Music Festival'' in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando Orlando Florida] with notable acts in the genre such as The Ludovico Technique, Cyanide Regime, and Spider Lilies. The band has also performed with En Esch, Mona Mur, and Slick Idiot.
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* EPs
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** ''Here Won No One'' (2011)
  
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The groups name comes from a term in computer science relating to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_automata finite state machines]. The band uses the name as an allusion to human behavior being primitive or predictable in nature. <ref name="Offical Last FM Page">{{cite web
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==References==
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| url = http://www.last.fm/music/Finite+Automata
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{{Reflist|2}}
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| title = Finite Automata
 
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| publisher = ''Last FM'' (2009-06-15)
 
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| accessdate= 2009-08-12
 
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}}</ref>
 
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== Style ==
 
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Finite Automata's overall style is much akin to bands of the same genre, most notably Skinny Puppy and Frontline Assembly earlier on, and incorporating more of an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggrotech#Aggrotech Aggrotech] influence later in their career. Most works have a deep, dark layered sound incorporating elements of the 80's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-industrial_music post-industrial scene] and more modern elements of Industrial Rock, Terror Noise, and Dark Ambient. Percussion tracks are often forged out of found material and recorded sounds which are spliced and altered to give them their characteristic harshness.
 
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Mod Eschar's vocal and lyrical influences include [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nivek_Ogre Nivek Ogre], Peter Spilles, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rozz_Williams Rozz Williams]. The subject matter of the music is often convoluted as Eschar's lyrical style is often recited from an observational point of view, lending to the ambiguous nature of the band's lyrical content.
 
  
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Performances by the band are often full-scale productions, with the band often bringing their own lighting crew, equipment, props, costumes and volunteer cast of actors. The band's performances often feature themes of control, greed, vanity, torture, fatalism and helplessness. During the band's Recurse years, Eschar would often be "tormented" by various masked figures throughout the performance. The theatrics often make liberal use of stage blood and feature strange contraptions and masks sculpted and created by Eschar himself. Recently the group has taken a more dystopian and apocalyptic style in regards to their stage presentation.
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==External links==
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* [http://www.finiteautomata.net/ Finite Automata website]
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Late 2010 saw a marked change in the band's Modus Operandi, as they began moving away from their previous influences and began to incorporate more modern elements into their overall sound. Both Eschar and (c.) Grendel have cited the reasoning as being a desire to not be compared to their influences, and to grow as musicians, as well as have the music more accurately articulate their ideas.  
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* [http://www.myspace.com/finiteautomata on MySpace]
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* [http://www.facebook.com/finiteautomataofficial on Facebook]
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''"I've personally found that I have begun to open up more as an artist... We want to come into our own... the old sound, that Skinny Puppy, FLA influence was a great place to start... but we aren't them. When I started this I had no idea how to articulate my ideas, and I was drawn to these bands as if they were mentors of sorts, but it's time for us to grow and change and our music should reflect more of who we are rather than who we like "'' - Mod Eschar, October 2010
 
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==References==
 
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{{reflist}}
 
  
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[[category:Musical groups]]
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[[Category:Electro-industrial]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 13 March 2012

Finite Automata
Fa live 2009.jpg
Origin Pensacola, Florida, United States
Genres Post-industrial
Electro Industrial
Industrial rock
Dark ambient
Years Active 2006–present
Labels Beyond Therapy Records
Associated Acts Vimana Cult, Transfer Case
Website finiteautomata.net Official Website
Members Mod Eschar
c. Grendel
Mat Syn
Former Members Vic Martinez


Finite Automata is an American industrial musical group formed in Pensacola, Florida in 2006. They are known for their deep layered sound, frequent experimental live use of sound making devices such as radios and tapedecks, and their highly politically charged, confrontational, and theatrical stage performances.[1] The group's name stems from the computer science concept of Finite State Machines, used as a metaphor for the predictability of human behavior.[2] The band cites 1980's and 1990s electro-industrial groups Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, and Project Pitchfork as their primary influences.

History[edit]

Finite Automata is the product of a project started in 2006 by musician, programmer, and visual artist Mod Eschar (Dominique Price), as an attempt to create a sound similar to 80's electro industrial. In 2007 Eschar was joined by keyboardist c. Grendel (Christopher Stanley) and later by musician Mat Syn (Mathew Porter). [3] After several years of playing regionally they were picked up by Beyond Therapy Records in 2011 and released their first EP Here Won No One on that label.

The group is currently working on two studio albums including an official back release of their first album Recurse, which contains material written and recorded between 2007 and 2010 by Eschar and c. Grendel, and their upcoming new release containing their most recent material.

Discography[edit]

  • Full albums
    • Recurse (written in 2008)
  • EPs
    • Here Won No One (2011)

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Michael Smith, "Industrial acts converge on the Big Easy Tavern", gopensacola.com, Feb 2, 2012. [1]
  2. ↑ Jessica Franz (Chirality), "Interview with Finite Automata", Carpe Nocturne Magazine, June 1, 2011. [2] Access date: March 12, 2012.
  3. ↑ Michael Smith, "Finite Automata, Preacher, Transfer Case @ The Handlebar. 05/07/11", Take Cover and Shoot, May 19, 2011. [3] Access date: March 12, 2012.

External links[edit]

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