Former L.A. Post-Punk Rockers Enjoy New Success as Electronic Soundscape Artists "Smoke & Mirrors"

September 13, 2004 -- Michael Ely and Spider Taylor, also known as Smoke & Mirrors, are enjoying newfound success after being out of the music business for nearly 20 years. Once founding members of L.A.'s first openly gay post-punk band Red Wedding, Michael and Spider celebrated their return by releasing "The Perfume of Creosote: Desert Exotica Part 1" at the end of 2003. The CD has been receiving rave reviews as well as airplay on traditional, web-based, and shortwave radio stations.

Once celebrated for their creativity in combining dark and poetic lyrics with a fusion of psychedelic rock, glam rock, trash rock and early goth rock, along with their over-the-top stage antics, Michael and Spider are now far removed from their wild and bohemian past. They've moved to Tucson, shifted gears and begun exploring new territory within the instrumental electronic music genre, utilizing their innate talents for pushing the envelope to create this fresh and exciting work.

"The Perfume of Creosote: Desert Exotica Part 1" is a collection of 23 original and cutting edge soundscapes inspired by the Sonoran Desert and influenced by old school exotica, film scores and their past as members of Red Wedding and other bands. “Perfume” contains elements of ambience, world music, alternative rock, lounge music, music for film, and hints of psychedelia and jazz, and features Spider's magnificent guitar playing alongside Michael's melodic keyboard and computer-based compositions.

“Perfume” has been praised as "the sound of a cool oasis--lush and tropical, refreshing and relaxing, melodic and upbeat" by www.astro-zombie.com, and for its ability to "transport the delicious lushness of tropical exotica into the Sonoran Desert" by www.earpollution.com. It’s described as “compelling, breathtaking, and moving” by www.smother.net, and “tunefulness served up with energy and style” by www.ambientrance.org .

For more information, please contact Dave at dave@auralfixationrecords.com




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