Artist description Nellie and the Drummers exist only on the computer. They are not 'computer music' but a sci-fi concept made real: a virtual pop band, complete with a virtual singing star (Nellie), and backup vocals by other 'band' members. Their home venue is a fictional nightclub in Cyberspace called 'The Slaughterhouse,' where people gather for on-lineentertainment. Even their voices are entirely computer-generated, using a MIDI-enabled text-to-speech processor. Nellie and the Drummers are, as befitting Cyberspace stars, an eclectic group. Their music ranges from speed-metal ('Fury') to NewWave and contempo pop ('Virtual Joy,' 'I Want What I Want'), world-beat ('Just Like Heaven'), retro pop ('We R the Movie') and bossa nova ('In MyDreams') to authentic Big Band sound ('Slaughterhouse Jump,' 'Cowboy Hacker Queen,' 'My Dear Roxanne,' 'Sugar Daddy'), and also includesorchestral score compositions ('Cybertown,' 'Minotaur and the Mermaids'). Unlike much other MIDI-based recording, Nellie's music, written by composer/singer Nell Delano, is all 'hand-crafted' directly on the computer by programmer/artist Reed Waller. The tracks have authentic interpretation and imperfections. No artificial tone alignments, no misuse of instruments, no 'keyboardy' composition or execution. The music doesn't sound 'computery' or even techno for the most part, since in the future, that will have become corny.)

Music Style Pop, rock, traditional pop, soundtrack

Musical Influences Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, Talking Heads, Astrud Gilberto, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Sinead O'Connor, Annie Lennox, Patti Smith, Sting, Benny Goodman, Nelson Riddle, Alan Parsons, Robert Palmer, Xavier Cugat

Similar Artists Pretty hard for us to sound much like anybody else...

Artist History Composer/programmer Reed Waller, after 20-some years in the music business, decided to move to computer art instead, and co-created Nellie and the Drummers as a virtual outlet for the songs of composer Nell Delano. Nellie and the Drummers, and the Slaughterhouse, were originally created as background characters for a 3D multimedia CDROM adventure, but they got out of hand. The album was released in 1998, and the band went on hiatus until 2003 when it released the new album "Champagne," using newer technology.

Group Members Band members (the band's avatars resemble various historical deities,but even though they look like Gwar, they don't sound like it):'REAL' BAND MEMBERS: Nell Delano, programmer Reed WallerVirtual members:NELLIE - vocals, interviews, attitude.AMMA - keyboards, keyboard-like instruments, misc. percussion,spiritual guidance.STYX - drums, percussion. Wishes he had four arms like Amma.REX - bass, guitar. Band's token Furry.ZIPPY - guitar.VARIOUS OTHER DEITIES - percussion, strings, horns.

Instruments Macintosh G4 PPC

Albums Champagne, 'Live' at the Slaughterhouse

Press Reviews Called by MacRocks 'The best Mac-using band that never existed.'.

Additional Info Nellie CDs are available as digital goods on Nellie website.

Location New Richland, MN - USA

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