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Testube
OriginColorado, United States
Genres
Years active1994–present
Labels
  • United Endangered Front
  • DSBP
  • Glim
Spinoffs
  • Danos
  • Marble I/Orchard
Spinoff of
  • Wrack Process
MembersJeff Danos
Past membersBryan Elsloo
Websitetestube.com

Testube is an American solo electronic music project, founded in 1994 by Jeff Danos (born May 9, 1976). His music spans multiple subgenres of electronic music, including Industrial, Glitch, Experimental, IDM, Electroclash, Darkwave, Ambient, Synthpop and EBM.[1][2]

History

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Testube began in 1994 as a tribal-influenced experimental electronic side-project of the early 1990s Industrial music group Wrack Process. The earliest recordings occurred in 1994–1995 and featured musical contributions from Jeff Danos and Bryan Elsloo. From these early recordings, the two musicians released a self-titled Testube cassette in March 1996 on UEF Records.[3] Following the dissolution of Wrack Process later that year, co-founder Jeff Danos briefly produced solo material under the monikers "Danos" and "Marble I/Orchard". By April 1997, Jeff had re-assumed the Testube moniker for his solo music project. Testube originated in Englewood, Colorado and relocated to Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 2006.[4]

In 2011, Testube released a cover version of Pixies track "Wave of Mutilation" to raise charity donations for the Japanese Red Cross Society in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[5]

In October 2021, Testube released a new song and video titled "Themself" as a charity fundraiser for Cyndi Lauper's True Colors United organization.[6]

Music charts

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Reconstructive Surgery, an album of Testube songs remixed by Danos and other artists, appeared on the CMJ national RPM top-20 charts for six weeks in the Autumn of 2000, peaking at the number 4 chart position that September.[7]

Critical response

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Australian journal Blatant Propaganda praised Testube's Bioplaza album for its "gothic-medieval melodies and dreamy electronic-body-music".[8] Chain D.L.K. website reviewed Corporation album stating it is "not for the timid or pop oriented, yet still fully functional on the dancefloor!" [1] Regarding Testube's Off-Purpose album, UK-based Sphere Magazine wrote "this collection has personality that cannot be turned off or even ignored."[9] StarVox Webzine proclaimed "Testube are an anomaly. Brilliant beyond measure, and yet criminally overlooked... How does this work, people? How is it that Testube isn't spoken of with the same reverence as Skinny Puppy? The material is that good, let me assure you."[10]

Remixing

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Jeff Danos has remixed other electronic music groups, including Torrent Vaccine, Destroid, Ptyl, I,Parasite, Skin Contact, Pain Station, Burikusu!!!, Thine Eyes, Left Spine Down, the Unter Null side-project Stray, Diverje, B! Machine, Monstrum Sepsis, Paranoid Axis, Biopsy, White Trash Compactor, Leæther Strip (for the single Carry Me) and works by fellow Glim Records recording artist LowHero DLL.[3] Jeff's audio post-production is often credited as a Testube "remix" or "treatment".[3]

Live performance

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Testube rarely plays in a live context, as it is primarily a studio music project. However, there have been a handful of live performances, the first of which was in 1996 at Cafe Euphrates in Denver, CO. Albuquerque, NM is the only other city to host live shows with Testube.

Film composing

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Jeff Danos has contributed original music to motion picture soundtracks, including the cult film Sleeping Pills and the short film Refraction.[11][12]

Record labels

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Testube has been associated with UEF (United Endangered Front) Records (1996–1998), DSBP Records (1999–2007),[4][13] and Glim Records (starting in 2008).

Discography

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Below is a partial Testube discography:

Release Title Artist Records Label Format(s) Release Date Notes
Off Purpose Testube Glim Records CD, digital download May 2010 [14]
Treatments Various Artists Glim Records CD Sep 2009
Covert Testube Glim Records CD Jul 2008
Refraction Testube ClandestCINE Films 35mm, DVD Oct 2007 short film
Sleeping Pills Jeff Danos Kinotonik Pictures 35mm, DVD Dec 2003 feature film
Corporation Testube DSBP Records CD Sep 2003
Bioplaza Revisited Testube DSBP Records CD Nov 2000
Daisypusher EP Marble I/Orchard MP3.com CD, digital download Aug 2000
Carry Me (Testube remix) Leæther Strip Metropolis Records CD Single May 2000 remix
Carry Me (Testube remix) Leæther Strip Bloodline Records CD Single Mar 2000 remix
Reconstructive Surgery Testube DSBP Records CD May 2000 reached No. 4 on CMJ RPM chart
Bioplaza Testube Self Released CD May 1999
Circuit Noir Vol. 2 Various Artists UEF Records CD Feb 1999
Vertigo Grim Testube UEF Records CD-R Sep 1998
Preyer Testube Promo CD-R Apr 1998 Promo Only
Circuit Noir Vol. 1 Various Artists UEF Records CD Feb 1998
Post-Apocalypse Testube UEF Records CD-R Feb 1998
Usable Frequency Response Testube UEF Records CD-R, MiniDisc, Cassette Jul 1997
Second Soul Testube UEF Records CD-R, MiniDisc, Cassette Apr 1997
Soul Danos Promo Cassette Nov 1996 Promo Only

References

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  1. ^ a b Mondalf, TG (13 October 2003). "Testube: Corporation". Chain D.L.K. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  2. ^ Testube at Last.fm
  3. ^ a b c "Testube Discography". Testube.com. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Testube Biography". Testube.com. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Testube cover classic Pixies track for charity, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross Society". Soundsphere Magazine. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. ^ Van Isacker, Bernard (16 October 2021). "Testube launches charity single 'Themself' to support True Colors United and improve the lives of homeless LGBTIQ+ youth". Side-Line. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  7. ^ "RPM Charts" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. 64 (683): 26. 18 September 2000. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Testube: Bioplaza". Blatant Propaganda. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  9. ^ "CD Review: Testube – 'Off Purpose'". Soundsphere Magazine. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Testube: Bioplaza/Reconstructive Surgery". StarVox Music Magazine. December 2000. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  11. ^ Van Isacker, Bernard (8 February 2008). "Testube scores music for 'Refraction' movie". Side-Line. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  12. ^ Refraction at IMDb
  13. ^ Van Isacker, Bernard (8 August 2007). "Testube finally plans new material". Side-Line. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Testube album 'Off Purpose' out now on Glim Records". Side-Line. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
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