Transformer

Transformer is an electronic music producer and also the name of a four-piece electro disco outfit from Brighton, UK, formed in 2005 by Johny Giles and Craig Mack. The band’s lineup includes Giles, Mack, Ben Adamo and Stephane Hourdille.

The group’s sound draws on funk, no wave, downtempo and chillout influences, and they cite Talking Heads, Parliament, Larry Levan, Serge Gainsbourg and A Certain Ratio among their key inspirations. Their music is compared to LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip.

Releases and collaborations

Transformer’s first single, “Cinema Car”, appears on Public Eye and is produced by Cagedbaby. It includes remixes by Tenth Dan of The Qemists and Riskotheque.

The band works with Fujiya & Miyagi producer Julian Tardo on its first album.

Recognition and other appearances

In 2008, Transformer is shortlisted in the Live & Unsigned category of the Vodafone Live Music Awards. The band also features in the E4-commissioned sitcom The Inbetweeners.

Other act with the same name

A separate Transformer project is formed by former Disco Inferno bassist Paul Wilmott. Its only released recording is a cover of Wire’s “Outdoor Miner”, included on the 1996 tribute album Whore: A Tribute to Wire. Wilmott later becomes a member of Lisp.