The Joy Thieves photo by Derick Smith
Chicago-based alternative all-stars The Joy Thieves release their full-length album ‘Apocalypse Pending’ on June 5th via Armalyte Industries. While the industrial-rock-punk-experimental supergroup known has always combined a wide array of musicians together in order to craft their signature sound, they stretch this concept to its very limits with this record.
Highly influenced by the hip hop music production techniques of the 80’s and early 90’s, ‘Apocalypse Pending’ finds the Joy Thieves Productions team of Dan Milligan and James Scott redefining themselves by utilizing a sample-heavy production to forge elements of industrial, rock, experimental, punk, hip hop, metal, and freeform jazz. But instead of sampling the music of others, they found inspiration in the talents of the band’s 80+ other members, resulting in an incendiary sound all their own.
Anxious to explore new musical territory, they challenged themselves by turning the entire song-creation process upside down. Instead of relying on members to contribute already-written songs, as they’d done in the past, they meticulously gathered hundreds of unrelated recorded musical fragments from their fellow Joy Thieves, then painstakingly reconstructed brand new pieces of music from these fragments, ultimately creating a fresh and innovative sound.
Longtime fans of the band will instantly recognize the iconic voice of Chris Connelly (Fini Tribe, Revolting Cocks, Ministry, Pigface). Seething with frustration and rage at one moment, and coolly delivering beat poetry the next, ‘Apocalypse Pending’ finds the multi-talented Connelly in his element; using the album’s densely layered, sonic collage as the perfect vehicle to deliver the band’s violently anti-fascist sentiments.??
The Joy Thieves have also shared videos for ‘No Anchor’ and ‘The Wrong End of Your Rifle’, created by Lumbra Productions. Eyeing the edge of collapse, capturing the zeitgeist with such precision, they touch on the decay of the individual, exploring the isolation of our modern world.
“These days, the process of simply writing and recording an album no longer seems to be enough for me. In order to feel fully engaged, I need new and exciting musical challenges – preferably ones that make me start wondering if I just might be in waaaay over my head. Once I get that feeling, there’s absolutely no question I’m on the right track,” says Dan Milligan.
“?In the case of ‘Apocalypse Pending’, that challenge began as a question – What kind of music would RZA or The Bomb Squad make if they had been raised on a steady diet of Gang of 4, The Jesus Lizard, and Ministry?”
Chris Connelly adds, “At their core, the lyrics for ‘Apocalypse Pending’ are violently anti-fascist. It’s funny how worked up and angry I get when I talk about these songs. But I’m finding I simply can’t hold back anymore; and it feels so good to lyrically address every aspect of this current horror show. I’m so glad we have a creative outlet to express these thoughts. At least until we all get Pussy Riot-ed into prison.”
Since signing with London alternative-industrial label Armalyte Industries in 2018, The Joy Thieves have delivered 11 critically-acclaimed releases. ‘Apocalypse Pending’ is the latest — produced, engineered and mixed by Joy Thieves Productions at Populist Recording + Mastering.
The Joy Thieves includes current, former, and touring members of Ministry, Stabbing Westward, The Rollins Band, Killing Joke, Pigface, RevCo, PIG, David Bowie, Blue October, Machines of Loving Grace, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Naked Raygun, Foetus, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Pegboy, Nitzer Ebb, Die Krupps and more.
The band crafts their cohesive signature sound from the contributions of its ever-growing 80+ roster of members, drawn from a diverse range of genres, including industrial, rock, punk, darkwave, hip hop and experimental music. Created by “all of us, and yet, none of us”, this is a sound all their own, their music aggressive, yet precise; confrontational, but refined; and harsh, yet melodic.
On June 5th, ‘Apocalypse Pending’ will be available on Digipack CD and across music platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.
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