Schmange hails from Cornwall, U.K. The band was formed
in 2000 to perform and promote music written and
recorded by Kevin Taylor . All members of the group are professional
musicians with years of experience in
rock and techno/synth performing.
KEVIN TAYLOR
Vocals / Guitar / Synth / Bass / Production
Kevin Taylor's musical career began as a lead guitar player, touring the
U.K. with the ground-breaking alternative band 'Essex'. With 'Schmange',
he has formed a Rock Band which comprises not only an extraordinary blend
of electrifying Rock and Techno, but a light and stage show that is guaranteed
to blow your socks off.
Besides his studio work and touring, Kevin currently has
more than 350 advanced guitar lessons on his official website Schmange.com and
the #1 sight for beginner to advanced guitarists Guitar Tricks.com".
His sites currently have over 5 million hits per month and a growing
fan base of over 300,000 signed members.
ALEXI DUTROMINOVA
Drums / Percussion / Drum Programming
Alexi Dutrominova took up the drums at an early age in Russia,
emulating such drummers as Neal Peart (Rush) and Hal Blaine (L.A. Studio
Musician). After moving to the U.K., he joined several bands before
noticing Schmange's music on the internet. He made immediate contact,
taking several of the alternate mixes and purely for the fun of it,
adding his own percussion. He sent these to Kevin who was, in his own
words ("blown away") He has also studied early percussion with Jana
Dimitri (Ukraine).
J.J. Contner studied keyboards and synth programing in Tallinn,
Estonia. He has also graduated with a B.A. in Musicoligy and taugh
music appreciation in Stockholm, Germany. His interest in electronic
music lead him from the Stockholms Schola
gregoriana Holmiae to the U.K., where he spent 2
years designing electonic synthesis at Schol de Detoriam, one
of the foremost technical synthses design schools in the country.,
He has toured and performed together
with.Vien Trackmar and is also
the leader of the Stax Devora, specializing in atmospheric
soundtracks and movie foley work.
Warren Rosenberg, Swedish bassist and keyboardist, studied music
at the Humber Music Academy in
Toronto. He performs throughout Europe, in North America and in
Australia and has recorded a number of CD¥s with renowned ensembles for such
bands as Scarland,
Ferris and Hybrid as
well as with his regular contributions to session studios across Canada.
Amy Torrence & Elisha Kanouris studied
vocals at The Tallinn Music School and Tallinn Conservatory.
They have worked with The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, The
Tallinn String Quartet, Corelli Concort and other numerous baroque
music groups. They have performed as solo players and toured throughout
Europe with several orchestras and bands.
What The Press Are Saying...
A six member techno/electronic band from the United Kingdom brings
to us a 2-disc collection of pulsating electronic music. Music that would
be fitting for a movie soundtrack and/or even better for a video game,
as it seems to bring to life everything around you. This doesn't seem to
be your standard every day techno/electronic music either, it almost seems
to combine elements from an assortment of genres like metal, rock, industrial,
dance and more. I've never really been a huge fan of instrumental styles
of electronic music i.e. "Soundscape," but I think SCHMANGE have
made a new dent in my collection. I loved the incorporation of the rock/metal
guitars into their pulsing bass-beat backdrop and techno vibes. It gave
the music an element that I could enjoy, even for not being a big fan of
this style of music. I would say that this is the type of music for those
who enjoy the wails of electric guitars mixed with dancey drum beats and
a humming soundscape of electronics.
[Wednesday Elektra - Space Junkies Magazine]
OUTSTANDING Electronic/Techno high energy music - RadioIndy.com Gold
Artist Award
OK, do you like techno and rock guitar fused together? If not,
move on to the next review. If you do, or you're not sure because
you've never heard any thing like it, then you need to check out Schmange
on his
CD release PhaseIV Chronicles. Generally using hard-edged techno
as a base, Schmange layers his guitar sounds (rooted in '70s and '80s rock)
over the
top, achieving a kind of dramatic, David Gilmour feel. In fact,
if you like say, Tangerine Dream, modern sounds and Gilmour's work, you'd
feel right
at home. Tracks such as "MoogBoog" are more hard rock than techno,
allowing for more of a guitar hero approach - thus sucking in even more guitar
fans. Got to hand it to Schmange, he's doing a great job trying to appeal
to a wider base here with his compositions. An 'A' for creativity as well.
-Guitar9Records
The man who calls himself Schmange is quickly becoming
an international commodity. He began his career playing guitar
for three years in the band Essex. Now he's out on his own...writing and
recording
wild guitar driven techno pop and teaching his techniques to others.
This
man already has offices in Canada and England...and more are probably
on the way. Phase IV Chronicles is a mind-blowing double CD set
featuring an
impressive collection of 31 compositions. The tunes go all over
the place...but the one constant is the incredible guitar playing. Listening
to this double
album, it's no wonder that so many people are looking to Schmange
for guidance. Free flowing and upbeat, these tracks are as slick
and professional
as anything
we've heard on any label...independent or major... As a word of
warning, however, this is a lot of material to take in at one sitting...so
be forewarned. Extremely well orchestrated. (Rating: 5)-LMNOP Reviews
Phase
IV has a handful
of compositions worthy of booty shaking and head banging.
- Philip Stone, SplendidEzine.com
- Kevin Taylor - Vocals / Guitar / Synth / Bass / Production
JJ. Contner - Keyboards / Synth
Alexi Dutrominova - Drums / Programming
Warren Rosenberg - Bass / Synth
Bryan Cheung - Sound Effects / Atmostphere
Amy Torrence, Elisha Kanouris - Vocals
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