Brainiac

Brainiac, also stylised as 3RA1N1AC, is an indie rock band from Dayton, Ohio, in the United States. The group forms in 1992 and is active until 1997. It is associated with noise rock, experimental rock, post-punk, and synthpunk, and is also described as an indie rock act.

Formation and early line-up

The band begins with vocalist, guitarist, and keyboard player Tim Taylor, who also plays Moog synthesizers, alongside bassist Juan Monasterio, guitarist Michelle Bodine, and drummer Tyler Trent. The first live performance takes place at Wright State University Cafeteria under the name We'll Eat Anything. In the band’s early history, Monasterio is also referred to as Monostereo.

Recordings and label history

After a pair of singles, Brainiac releases its first album, Smack Bunny Baby, on Grass Records in 1993. Bonsai Superstar follows the next year, after John Schmersal joins on guitar in place of Bodine. The band then moves to Touch and Go Records for Internationale, which is produced by Kim Deal of the Pixies. Its third album, Hissing Prigs in Static Couture, is also released on Touch & Go. All three albums are produced by Eli Janney of Girls Against Boys. In 1997 the group releases the electronic-based EP Electro-Shock for President, which is its final record.

Live profile and later impact

Brainiac builds a reputation as a strong live act and opens for Beck. In 1995 it appears on the Lollapalooza side stage and attracts interest from major labels. Tim Taylor dies in a car accident in 1997 while travelling back from a recording session for a fourth album, after which the group disbands. Later musicians who cite Brainiac as an influence include Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie, Matt Bellamy of Muse, Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodríguez-López of The Mars Volta, and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.