Artist description Malcolm Strange is a four-piece band whose music might fit well as the soundtrack to a '60s spy flick, or perhaps as the preferred choice of robots engaged in intergalactic espionage

Music Style spy-fi, lounge, rock

Musical Influences psyche, mod, jazz, avant rock

Similar Artists Stereolab, Beatles, Beck

Artist History Since 1995, Malcolm Strange has featured a revolving cast of characters built around the axis of founding member Strange, and his sidekick Sonia Kozlova. In early performances, the group shook up suburban audiences in Strange's native Long Island with audacious acts of androgyny. A typical concert featured band members switching instruments onstage! It was later revealed that, offstage, they engaged in flagrant acts of reading each other’s mail. In June 1997, Strange and company shocked New York City’s jaded jet set (not to mention local florists) by appearing at several East Village clubs wearing nothing but carefully arranged begonias. Later that year, they turned the scene on its ear again when they showed up for an appearance at The Spiral dressed as characters from the animated series, The Flintstones. This last stunt ended in a firestorm of controversy when bassist John McCarthy, trapped in his Dino costume, was arrested for impersonating a dinosaur with intent to incite a riot. Personnel changes in late '98 saw the band disappear from the scene for several months. In early ’99, Strange and Kozlova emerged with a new look and sound. Sporting long white beards and carrying stone tablets with cryptic etchings, the pair unveiled a curious mix of bird noises, Yiddish insults and hip-hop beats. 45 seconds into their debut set at The Pyramid, the duo reconsidered their newfound image, ducked behind a curtain, and emerged with yet another look and feel. It is this latest incarnation – a beguiling mix of psychedelic space pop and rump-shaking grooves – that is featured on Malcolm's latest release, The Curious World of Malcolm Strange.

Group Members Malcolm Strange, guitar, vox, avant noisesSonia Kozlova, keyboards, woodwinds and hot airRay Mazza, percussionJohn McCarthy, bass, vox

Instruments guitar, bass, drums, loops, synth, samples, toy piano, woodwinds, brass, harpsichord, vibes, vox piano, wurlitzer

Albums The Curious World of Malcolm Strange

Location North Bergen, NJ - USA

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