High-Functioning Flesh - Demo Tape 2013

High-Functioning Flesh are from Los Angeles, California. The members Susan and Greg met through mutual friends. They would often go see each other's "weirdo mutant punk bands" when the tour came through the LA and Portland area, where Susan lived at the time. The stars aligned, and both Susan and Greg were free from other commitments and got together in 2012. In a short period of time, 6 weeks to be exact, the duo recorded 3 original tracks and a sweet cover of Rudimentary Peni "Nothing But A Nightmare". The demo was released and sold out very quick. In fact the band brought a tape duplicator to their first show on April 6th and made the initial batch of demos backstage prior to the show.

So, how did Susan and Greg come up with the band's name? A little casual curiosity lead to combing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders. They discovered that Asperger Syndrome was replaced by the term High-Functioning Autism. While Aspergers Syndrome and autism are not topics covered in the lyrics of High-Functioning Flesh, the band started thinking about the assessment of functionality. In doing so, one was able to reduce reality to a prevalence of High-Functioning Flesh. Susan describes the lyrical content as "basically revolving around our name. The flesh perceive the spectacle, life reduced to media translation, love reduced to a numbing stiff dance, the glowing, dripping, raw reality veiled as we chase oblivion icons".

I picked up the High-Functioning Flesh limited edition cassette several months back. Immediately I was captivated by the sound that had a lot of influence from the 80's and into the 90's. The band captures elements from Paranoid, Noise Unit, Inside Treatment, Armageddon Dildos, D.A.F., Front 242 and even some Cabaret Voltaire. This definitely fit right into what makes me happy. Lets check out the tape!

"Rigid Embrace" opens the sonic display by capturing the raw power of early Ionic Vision, especially in the vocals. Musically, throw in some DAF and Paranoid and get ready to stomp around. I'm not entirely sure if the sound is a deliberate throwback to yesteryear, but HFF pull it off very well regardless.

"Video DNA Gestalt" starts off with muffled sample of a deep voice reminiscent of Cabaret Voltaire's "Do Right" and "Don't Argue", prior to diving into a world forged by DAF. This may be the track that had Mount Analog (awesome Record Store in California), saying," DAF meets Cabaret Voltaire". This is a pretty accurate description of what HFF has accomplished here.

"Glowing/Dripping" keeps the tape rolling to more old school inspired beats. More chanted choruses and throbbing bass-lines.

"Touch Oblivion Icon" is my favorite track on the demo. It kicks off with a nice synth intro that is soon overshadowed by a fuzzed-out pounding bass. This could easily be mistaken for an Armageddon Dildos track circa 1989-1991.

Any of these tracks will fit nicely into your old school playlists and your more modern playlists as well. High-Functioning Flesh successfully pull off a nice American tribute to the 80's and early 90's EBM sound trademarked in Europe. There is really no new ground here, just a lot of welcomed revelry surging into the spotlight of social media, forums and weekly nights showcasing the best of the rising underbelly of independent electronic music. I look forward to the evolution of their sound. There is a lot of up-side here for growth. High-Functioning Flesh is amongst some of the best new and interesting acts pouring out of California.

Weyrdson Records will be releasing the much anticipated 12" EP by High-Functioning Flesh. In the meantime, if you are in the San Francisco area on September 28th definitely check out the Folsom Street Fair showcase night called "Darkroom". It is the huge annual BDSM and leather subculture street fair for those not in the know. November 1st, you will find the band playing at the Das Bunker 17th anniversary show. Also, not too long ago at Das Bunker, High-Function Flesh opened for Dirk Ivens' Dive! Sep 05 2013