Ima Robot

Ima Robot is a band based in Los Angeles, California that formed in the late 1990s.

History

Formation (2000s)

Following vocalist Alex Ebert's previous band The Lucky 13's breakup, Ima Robot formed in the late 1990s. In the early 2000s, the band signed with Virgin Records.

The band's other original members were Timmy "The Terror" Anderson, Oliver "Oligee" Goldstein, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, and studio drummer Joey Waronker. Meldal-Johnsen and Waronker were sought-after musicians who had played with Beck before joining Ima Robot.

Ima Robot (2003)

On September 6, 2003, Ima Robot released their first full-length album, the self-titled Ima Robot. The album featured the singles "Dynomite" and "Song #1" (released in the UK only), and the band supported their album by touring with artists such as Hot Hot Heat, The Von Bondies, Hoobastank, The Sounds, and others.

Departure of Goldstein, Waronker, and Meldal-Johnsen (2004–2005)

In 2004, Waronker and "Oligee" left the band, and Meldal-Johnsen followed in 2005, with former Oleander drummer Scott Devours, Tim Anderson's cousin whom he had never met before Devours auditioned, taking over drumming duties; Filip Nikolic taking over on bass; and Andy Marlow taking over on keyboards.

Monument to the Masses (2006)

On September 12, 2006, Ima Robot released their second album Monument to the Masses, which featured the singles "Creeps Me Out" and "Lovers in Captivity".

Independence from Virgin Records (2007)

In April 2007, the band won their independence from Virgin Records and continued to work unsigned under the management of Alexis Rivera of Echo Park Records. The song "Gangster" premiered on the band's MySpace on April 15, 2008, with its lyrics posted in a blog entry by the band.^[2] In 2010 the band announced the upcoming release of their new album, Another Man's Treasure, and released the song "Ruthless" on the Internet. They are now being represented by the Werewolf Heart label.^[3]

Present

In June 2008, Lars Vognstrup joined the group, having previously played with Nikolic in the band Junior Senior.

On January 6, 2011, the band played six songs live on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. This was the first time since Monument to the Masses tours that the new band lineup had played live. Orpheo McCord (of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and of Fool's Gold), Jason "ComputerJay" Taylor, and Jonas Petri Megyessi also joined the band.

Ima Robot's B-side "Greenback Boogie" from the album Another Man's Treasure is featured as the theme song of the USA Network legal drama Suits since 2011.

Band members

Current

• Alex Ebert – lead vocals 1998–Present
• Timmy "The Terror" Anderson – guitar 1998–Present
• Filip "Turbotito" Nikolic – bass guitar 2004–Present
• Jason "Computer Jay" Taylor – keyboards 2009–Present
• Jonas Petri Megyessi – guitar, percussion 2009–Present
• Orpheo McCord – drums 2009–Present

Past

• Joey Waronker – drums 1998–2004
• Oliver "Oligee" Goldstein – keyboard, guitar 1998–2004
• Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass guitar 1998–2004
• Scott Devours – drums 2005–2009
• Andy Marlow – keyboards, 2006–2007
• Lars Vognstrup – keyboards, 2008–2009

Discography

Albums

• Ima Robot (September 16, 2003)
• Monument to the Masses (September 12, 2006)
• Another Man's Treasure (October 19, 2010)

EPs

• "Very Not OK, Underdogs, Drowse" (Demo CD) (1999)
• "Black Jettas" (LP) (June 19, 2003)
• Public Access EP (CD/LP) (June 20, 2003)
• Song #1 (EP) – (March 22, 2004)
• Alive (EP) – (2004) – Radio Only
• Search And Destroy (EP) (2006) – Sold only at shows originally, but now comes free with purchase of Another Man's Treasure from their website

Singles

• "Dynomite" (Maxi Single) (CD/LP) (September, 2003)
• "Creeps Me Out" (June 13, 2006) – Digital Only
• "Gangster" (April 15, 2008^[4]) – Digital Only
• "Ruthless" (June, 2010^[5]) – Digital Only

References

External links

• Official Myspace
• Official YouTube
• Official MindViz
• Official PureVolume