Disco Bitch

As the world’s light darkens and its shadows become more accusingly intense, a lone figure strides purposefully forward from within the apocalyptic clouds. It is a person many will recognise but something is different; a new creative glint shines in their eyes whilst once more their voice roars for those often declared the grotesque and the unique, those ostracised by the so-called norm. Clad in fresh industrial and electronic temptation aligned to funk infested rock; that determined protagonist is Mr Strange and they bring “The Bible of Electric Pornography”.

With an imagination as manipulative on the psyche as fingers on flesh, Mr. Strange has been inventively cruising the British underground scene for nearly a decade, spreading their uniquely creative devilry. Whether alone or as part of the band they founded, The Shanklin Freak Show, the Isle Of Wight singer/songwriter has spun virulent webs of sound for the glorious weird lying within all of us. The past couple of years though have seen the beginnings of a rebirth, a new protagonist emerging from within Mr. Strange’s creative chrysalis with electronic alchemy in their veins and a new album in “The Bible of Electric Pornography” ready to rouse up ears, emotions, and the freak deep within.

The musical journey of Mr. Strange goes back to 1998, but began in ernest in 2003 with the concept of circus-rock-steampunks The Shanklin Freak Show emerging. They were an infestation of sound and kindred ideas for a great many which became the missing link between intimate lifestyles and the modern music scene once the band became a live proposition in 2006, the same moment that the name 'Mr. Strange' was adopted, it coming, according to the person them self “from people referring to the person who plays Mr. Strange as "weird" and (of course) "strange".

Apart from collaborating with and working as co-producer on the Global Citizen albums “Master Stroke” and “Nil By Mouth”, and the making of retrospective solo album “The Fall” in 2007, Mr. Strange fully devoted their time and imagination to The Shanklin Freak Show over the next eight years. It was a time unveiling classic stomps like ‘Lizard Man’ ‘Carousel’ and ‘Life’s a Cabaret’ within dark carnivals of sound honed into the shape of highly praised albums “Act II - the Light Fantastic” and “Welcome to the Show”.

As continually proven the sound and invention flowing from Mr. Strange is eclectic to say the least, and not surprising when looking at influences that they say “Historically, the culprits in the inspiration department are; Marilyn Manson, Insane Clown Posse, Dr. Steel, Alice Cooper, Gary Numan, etc….Anything theatrical, weird, and dark that I can "escape" into. Musical ability has never been that important to me, the atmosphere and/or uniqueness in music has always been more appealing, personally.” Certainly within their solo adventures this is a consistently thrilling and engaging puzzle which came to a major peak with the album “Wonderful World Of Weird”', an acclaimed kaleidoscope of sound and imagination released in 2013 which The Ringmaster Review described as “a dramatic and exhilarating flight through the darkest yet magnetically and vibrantly compelling mind of the fictional character of its creator” and New Reviews announced “you can’t help but stand up and embrace it.”

The same of course equally applies to their new album “The Bible of Electric Pornography”, the boldest and most gripping encounter yet from their bordering on maniacal mind. It comes with a new major twist of sound with a new wealth of inspirations as spices. “I've always wanted to create "worlds" for listeners to get lost in; you can see this in each Mr. Strange album, no matter what changes musically the escapism is always there. “ In regard to their new inventive emprise, Mr. Strange recently revealed that “Inspirations for this new album are a little different; Krizz Kaliko, Prince, Peaches, Nine Inch Nails, Lady Gaga, Perturbator, Die Antwoord, The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson's 'Mechanical Animals', Dead Or Alive, Dirty Sanchez (the electroclash band), Electric Six and Gary Numan have all played a part. Anton LaVey's 'Satanic Bible' has been an influence, also.”
“The Bible of Electric Pornography” is undoubtedly a whole new beast of sound and experimentation for Mr. Strange and one again which stands far away from the crowd without losing the core essence which has always made their music standout. Whether in early work, with The Shanklin Freak Show, or within “Wonderful World Of Weird” there is always the spiral of ingenuity with the specific Mr. Strange creative stamp on it. The new album again shares their particular alternative, industrial, rock infused hallmark but ventures into a world of diverse electro rock devilry.
Fair to say “The Bible of Electric Pornography” certainly revels in its chance to uncage voracious electronica and a lyrical narrative driven by observed and intimate themes. Already brewing up acclaim, its creator is excited with its outcome too, “In my opinion, this is easily the best album I've worked on. I've never been very confident or overly pleased with any albums up until now. There's always been time constraints forcing me to rush to completion, or a loss of interest in the project that has hampered its potential. This is the most personal, well-realised and accessible album I've ever done. I'll be happy if this is the last album I ever do. “

In regard to the themes cradling songs, Mr. Strange admitted “I wanted to make a liberating album; I'm tired of hearing and feeling that I should be ashamed. I want to be the antithesis of that kind of thinking, the adversary of it. Seeing as so much repression, shaming and bigotry stems from religion, I thought I'd side with one of their classic adversaries, metaphorically. If I'm a deviant abomination in their eyes, so be it, I'll just embrace it. It's a middle finger, really. Calling the album a 'Bible' is a cheeky slap in the face to the Jesus freaks; it also holds just as much relevance as their Bible, which is none. That's a positive statement I wanted to make for people who might find this album and who may have to deal with religious bigotry on a daily basis. If it helps just one person feel a little better about themselves, then I'll call that mission accomplished.”

With tracks such as ‘Deviant Ritual’, ‘Jonathan’, and ‘I Like Girls & Boys’ challenging thoughts whilst igniting body and emotions in their wholly unique ways and individual characters, “The Bible of Electric Pornography” never allows a moment to go by without testing its own invention and limits, this in turn giving the listener a compelling and exhilarating a tilt-a-whirl of a ride with further incendiary stops in songs such ‘God Hates Me’, ‘Fag’, and the Global Citizen collaborated song ‘D/s’ which also features the band.
“The Bible of Electric Pornography” takes Mr. Strange to new and unexpected places with more exciting and magnetic nooks and crannies than a Shanklin to Ventnor coastal path. It is a new step in the dark emprise of Mr. Strange, one refusing to resist change and new adventures. As ‘The Last Song’ on “The Bible of Electric Pornography” says…

"I know this isn't what you wanted,
You wanted more of the same,
But that's a game I cannot play"

The future for Mr Strange, the future is electric!



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