So, who are Underworld anyways?
Underworld are vocalist/guitarist Karl Hyde, studio virtuoso Rick Smith, and DJ Darren Emerson.
Is this the same Underworld who made music during the 80's?
Technically. Karl and Rick were indeed part of that earlier incarnation of Underworld (sometimes referred to as Underworld MK I), but a lot has changed since then. Before they were known as Underworld, they also recorded under namelessly under the identity of a Prince-like squiggle, before accepting the more traditional name Freur (you may remember a song they did called 'Doot Doot'.) Nothing pre-90's is highly recommended, although 80's enthusiasts may enjoy some of their material. The addition of Darren Emerson, in particular, was very important in shaping what they create today.
When is that bloody new album coming out?
The new album, Beaucoup Fish, is out now in the UK and parts of Europe, and will be released in North America on April 13th.
What is the tracklisting and first single?
The album is called Beaucoup Fish and features the following tracks: "Cups", "Push Upstairs", "Jumbo", "Shudder / King of Snake", "Winjer", "Skym", "Bruce Lee", "Kittens", "Push Downstairs", "Something Like a Mama", and "Moaner". The first single will be "Push Upstairs".
I've heard that Underworld also recorded under the name 'Lemon Interupt'...
Underworld released a few tracks under this name during the early 90's : 'Bigmouth', a pseudo-Dark&Long with a hodown harmonica slapped on top, 'Minneapolis', and 'Dirty', the early incarnation of what would eventually become 'Dirty Epic'. All of these tracks are still readily available, with more information available in the discography section.
I can't seem to find their single "The Hump" anywhere!
This single, released in 1992, was a self-made pressing of about 500 copies, so there's good reason for that.
What is this April Records release of "Dark and Long" everybody talks about?
It's an EP, released back in 1994, that is much sought after by Underworld fans because it contains several hard to find tracks, like the magnificent "Thing in a Book", "Spoon Deep", and the psuedo-industrial "Burts". Also, for those of you who can't get enough of it, "Dark Train" is here as an added bonus.
Was "King of Snake" released as a single?
Not as an official single. Two 12" promotional dance singles were released for "King of Snake" back in December of 1998, and they were a highly limited pressing.
How does Tomato fit into all of this?
Underworld is actually part of Tomato, a design company based in the UK. Rick Smith and Karl Hyde, together with Graham Wood, Jason Kedgely and others, combine their talents into a collective whole and produce commercials, videos, and other forms of media and art. Underworld videos, t-shirts, and record covers are all Tomato created, along with Nike commercials, MTV adverts, and design exhibits. This is only skimming the surface, of course, and if you'd like to know more about Tomato, visit our Tomato section or hop on over to their own website.
'Cowgirl' sounds a lot like 'Rez'...'Cherry Pie' has the same intro as 'Rowla'...
Often times, Underworld will use different names for mixes of a track, pieces of some song in another, part of track name in another track name, etc. The bottom line is, everything they do is a huge mix, and they use the different parts where they are most applicable. So no, 'Rez' is not a misprint on your CD.
Speaking of 'Rez', why do so many people seem to love this track?
'Rez' was a UK-techno anthem, and most club kids' first introduction to the music of Underworld. It was released around the summer of '93 and immediately established Underworld as an act to watch closely. Most techno-heads will tell you there's just something about the way the song builds up the beginning that makes it so good.
There's an original "Born Slippy"?
"Born Slippy" was originally released as an EP back in April of 1995. It contained an original mix, plus the "Nuxx" and "Telematic" versions. The "Nuxx" mix is the one most people have become familiar with, as it was featured on the Trainspotting soundtrack, and later re-released as its own single. The original mix, which is well worth searching out, is available on that first 1995 release, as well as the second UK "Pearl's Girl" single (the one with the reddish cover, and not to be mistaken with the American EP release.)
What's JBO?
Junior Boys Own, Underworld's record label for many years. In addition to Underworld, JBO releases great dance tracks from likes of Heller & Farley, Roach Motel, X-Press 2, Black Science Orchestra, and others. They've released a few compilations that are the source of much discussion on the dirtylist, the first two containing exclusively JBO tracks, with the most recent one running the course of popular dance music for the last fourteen years or so. JBO became part of V2 Records in late 1997, and more information about that deal can be found in the Underworld news section.
What sort of equipment do Underworld use to make their music?
Quite a bit actually. In the past they've used Emagic Logic, the Nord (B)Leed, Steinburg Recycle, a Roland TR-909, Juno 106, etc., etc. We'll be posting a current equipment list here, as it relates to their new album, in the near future.
I've never seen any Underworld videos. Do they have any?
Quite a few, actually. A recent US TVT/Wax Trax! release entitled 'Footwear Repairs By Craftsmen At Competitive Prices' rounds up all of the Underworld videos to date, and in the UK JBO released 'Kiteless' which contains all of their videos up to and including some from 'Second Toughest in the Infants'. Most Underworld videos are crash courses in Tomato design, largely featuring their crazy visuals (and often times minus the band.) This being said, they are some of most unique and intriguing videos you're likely to see today.
I've never seen Underworld live. Do they do live gigs?
Definitely. In fact, Underworld is well-accepted as one of the finest live dance music acts. Handling the difficult task of real time techno improvisation seems to come with relative ease to the trio as they keep the spirit of the club alive in a more traditional setting. Their gigs are generally one long mix, with familiar (and not so familiar) elements appearing, disappearing, and reappearing. Underworld are doing a small tour of Europe and the States in late 1998, with a larger worldwide tour to follow later in 1999.
Do Underworld have a mailing list?
The dirtylist is Underworld's official mailing list. Hundreds of Underworld fans, music professionals, and the band themselves subscribe and contribute to what is one of the most lively and eccentric artist-specific mailing lists.
How can I send mail to Underworld & Tomato?
Underworld & Tomato are active readers of the dirtysite & list, so chances are that messages you write to the list and reviews/comments you submit that are posted on the site will be seen by them. If you'd to send them something specifically, send your message to: submit@dirty.org