The Medic Droid
| The Medic Droid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Genres | Emo, electropop, synthpop, dance-pop, alternative dance, techno |
| Instruments | Synthesizers, keytars |
| Years active | 2003–2008, 2012–2013, 2016–present |
| Labels |
Modern Art Records Epic Records |
| Associated acts | Madonna, Enter Shikari, Kill Hannah, A Cursive Memory, Breathe Carolina, The White Tie Affair, InnerPartySystem, The Blackout, From First To Last, We Are The Ocean, Hyper Crush, Chronic Future, |
| Website | Official MySpace |
| Members |
Chris Donathon Hector Bagnod |
| Past members | Greg Rudawski |
| Notable instruments | |
| Synthesizers, Keytars | |
The Medic Droid are a synthpop band from Phoenix, Arizona.
History
Beginnings and What's Your Medium (2003–2008)
The Medic Droid was started in 2005 with Chris Donathon and Hector Bagnod. Bagnod and Donathon first met in 2003, but Donathon moved away from the city after they met, only to return (and begin the band) a few years later.[1] The group gained a strong initial following through the social networking site MySpace; by mid-2008 the song "Fer Sure" had logged almost 2 million plays on the site[1] and the group had accumulated over 100,000 friends there.[2] Soon they were noticed by their now former manager Avery Andon who brought the band to New York where they played their first live show opening for Enter Shikari at The Bowery Ballroom and caught the eye of A&R's from Epic Records who would later go on to sign the band. The group eventually made two new songs "Keeping Up With The Joneses" and "FScene8".
The Medic Droid was signed to Modern Art Records, a local Phoenix indie label distributed by Epic Records. They wrote and recorded their debut album What's Your Medium? and it was released June 10, 2008. What's Your Medium reached #33 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[3]
The band was heavily inspired by 1980's popular culture, taking their name from a character in the Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back,[4] writing a song based on a catch phrase from Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, and even recording a version of the Madonna anthem "Into The Groove".[5]
Touring and break-up (2008)
The Medic Droid went on a "Spring Tour" with A Cursive Memory in Spring 2008 across the US. A Cursive Memory was the only band to go to every show with them. They co-headlined for every date. Breathe Carolina and The White Tie Affair joined the tour for select dates, but did not go for the whole tour. Kill Hannah's Hope For The Hopeless US Tour 2008 was presented by Hot Topic. Kill Hannah was the headliner and had the tour for their recently released album of b-sides and rarities. The Medic Droid, InnerPartySystem, and The White Tie Affair joined them as special guests for the whole tour. The tour began in July, 2008 and ended August, 2008. The Hope For The Hopeless tour continued in the UK and Europe in September, but the other bands didn't continue.
The Blackout's headlining tour, "Sleep All Day, Party All Night", toured in Japan, Europe, and the UK. The Medic Droid was on the road for the UK dates in October. From First To Last and We Are The Ocean also toured with them.
The Medic Droid headlined their final tour with supporting acts Hyper Crush and Chronic Future in November and December 2008.[6] It wasn't planned as their final tour, but the group's members showed strain from constant touring,[4] and on December 16, 2008, both Bagnod and Donathon posted notice on their MySpace pages that the band had dissolved.[7]
Reuniting (2012-2013)
On February 8, 2012, Chris Donathon created a Facebook page for the band. Then the next day, on February 9, Chris posted, "Hey every one thanks for all the likes. I'm currently working on putting together my new live set as well as some new tracks. I'm super excited to get back out on the road again and playing some shows but i need all your guys and girls help to spread the word. As of October Chris Donathon announced that there will be "limited edition" T-shirts to help fund the new music."[8] On February 19, AbsolutePunk posted a blog stating that the band has reunited. The Medic Droid has officially announced that they will be returning to the stage at "The South by So What?!" Music festival on March 16, 2013[9] The Medic Droid is assumed to be disbanded. While not officially announced, Donathon has not updated The Medic Droid's social media since March 2013.
Second Reunion (2015-Present)
On December 22, 2015, The Medic Droid added a new profile picture to their Facebook along with, "THE MEDIC DROID 2016." The following day they announced their first show back opening for Austin Jones on the Phoenix, Arizona date of his "We'll Fall Together Tour" on January 21, 2016 at Joe's Grotto.
Discography
| Whats Your Medium | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by The Medic Droid | ||||
| Released | June 10, 2008 | |||
| Genre | Emo, crunkcore, techno, electropop, synthpop, power pop | |||
| Length |
30:27 32:56 (iTunes release) | |||
| Label | Modern Art | |||
| Producer | Back Ted N-Ted | |||
| The Medic Droid chronology | ||||
| ||||
Whats Your Medium is the band's debut album, released in the United States on June 10, 2008, by Modern Art Records.[10]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by The Medic Droid, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Keeping Up with the Joneses" | 3:46 |
| 2. | "Saddle Up" | 2:53 |
| 3. | "Fscene8" | 2:33 |
| 4. | "Into the Groove" (Madonna and Steve Bray; Madonna cover) | 4:13 |
| 5. | "It's About Love" | 4:48 |
| 6. | "Tease" | 4:37 |
| 7. | "Fer Sure" | 4:14 |
| 8. | "The Killer Anna" | 3:28 |
| 9. | "Sho-Fer" (iTunes bonus track) | 3:48 |
References
- 1 2 The Medic Droid. Arizona Central, May 24, 2008.
- ↑ The Medic Droid at Allmusic
- ↑ Charts, Billboard.com
- 1 2 The Medic Droid's Electro Power-Pop and Ambisextrous Antics Are Driving Kids Wild Nationwide. Phoenix New Times, December 10, 2008.
- ↑ Don't Avoid The Droid. Phoenix New Times, December 10, 2008.
- ↑ Medic Droid, Chronic Future, Hyper Crush. Chicago Decider, November 19, 2008. Accessed April 19, 2009.
- ↑ However,via Facebook The Medic Droid is still currently working on new songs and live sets.The Medic Droid Calls it Quits. Phoenix New Times, December 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Hey every one...". Facebook. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Christian Wagner (February 19, 2012). "Small Band Round-Up (02/19/12) - News Article - AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.picattic.com/files2/rfz25hpwodzgsv69ymgg.png
External links
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