underworld Profile
Photo caption: Visionaries Underworld photographed by John Warwicker
i-D’s ESSENTIAL INFORMATION JANUARY 1994
underworldOnce upon a long time ago, Underworld were merely pop flotsam; just another major-label band drifting unseen towards the rocks of oblivion. Then DJ pioneer Darren Emerson hooked up with founder members writer Karl Hyde (vocals, lead guitar and harmonica) and sound engineer Rick Smith, and a sonic revolution was born of their fission. Using the open-ended dynamics of rock to transcend traditional dancefloor rhythms, the Junior Boys Own trio's debut, Mmm...Skyscraper, I Love You, soared. "It was pretty much inspired by the New York experience" confesses Karl, the man behind their cut-up babble-of-subconscious lyrics. "New York's really at the edge of the speed of civilisation, it's like living on borrowed time. Mmm ... Skyscraper is like if you were walking through a city and you're getting glimpses of buildings and snatches of sounds and smells and ideas."
The towering follow-up, Rez, and now the eviscerating bass-throb of new single Spikee are further proof that no-one sounds quite like Underworld. Their desire "to open up a few doors and let people through" has resulted in astounding live shows, frequently utilising their Quadraphonic Experimental Sound System, and always resembling cracking freestyle ram-jams rather than the tired and trusted off-pat pre-set-tings of their contemporaries. "Playing live is absolutely essential for us," insists Karl. "The excitement comes when something goes wrong and we have to use our imagination, make things up and be inspired. So what's good about them is the interaction."
Always willing to experiment, to challenge and dare, their supporters already include the likes of Björk, Orbital, Drum Club and, er, Simply Red; all of who have undergone radical transformations at the hands of the threesome who recognise no boundaries. "We don't ourselves as a dance band or a rock band or a dance band that can play rock music. We're not a crossover experience. We're just trying to turn people on the best we can," states a defiant Rick. Their forthcoming album, Dub No Bass With My Head Man, a glorious blueprint of the post-house treasuredome, will succeed with consummate technological ease.
Calvin Bush
Spikee by Underworld is out now on Junior Boys Own, followed by the album Dub No Bass With My Head Man on Jan 24.
