HIS MIGHTY ROBOT

HIS MIGHTY ROBOT : THE CONFLICT

A “concept” album is something I have never understood…I mean I just love good quality progressive music, and fortunately that’s what this album from New York trio His Mighty Robot, has in abundance. The album is set in 3 different movements: “The Pursuit Of Happiness, The Conflict & The Death”. “Connection of fingers” is a nice introduction to the album a beautiful indie effort concentrating on melodic male and seductive female vocals and intricate guitar, leading into the more powerful “The Cliché.” A heavier effort that screams of classic experimental influence of The Pixies. Indeed, the beautiful lyrics combined with un-predictable chords that are trademark of the legends in-habit this album throughout: “My pursuit of happiness I want to find it, but razors cut my fingers each time I reach to my pocket.” Clever lyrics conjure images and a story forms from that.
This band make sophisticated and varied songs that remind us of the true remit of “experimental music,” to challenge the audiences perceptions of what music can communicate through great musicianship and time..
HMR are a complicated band but are not for the faint of heart, if you love music, if your heart is held together by guitar strings, and these strings go insane when you hear the opening to The Pixies - “Monkey’s Gone To Heaven” then check these guys out. If not, give them a listen anyway, it’s not one type of music, it’s acoustic, its rock, its emotional…it’s not a damn genre… it’s good.
--dom smith

(direct link to read on their site-http://www.thetalkmagazine.com/rec_reviews/0407aprilrecreviews.html#his )

- The Talk Magazine, Issue 39, April 2007 (York, UK) Reviews THE CONFLICT

His Mighty Robot's brand of sludgy, 90s influenced rock is seemingly propelled by the idea that songs can be at once beautiful and complex, precise and trashy. This New York three-piece sounds like it could be equally at home in the moody Pacific Northwest or in the DC or Chicago of the early 90s. With hues of Fugazi and Pinback, (and some of Billy Corgan's multi-faceted songwriting), these pieces span a length of time that made sure we all knew that guitar rock would be around forever, despite what popular radio would now have you think. Drums are crisp and punchy, even through the perfectly measured drop of reverb that rides along with them. The plaintive lyrics and melodies dart cunningly through alternatively jangly and crunchy guitar lines, landing in fantastically crafted choruses, which are mostly capable of rocking one's pants all the way off. It's a temperamental sound, but that doesn't mean it's not accessible. It's serious rock that's not overly severe.

- CDBaby.com Reviews THE CONFLICT 04/20/07

No Assembly Required: His Mighty Robot debut is insoluble

By: Gaeten Lowrie

I realized the other day how similar music and mathematics really are. They’re both essentially based on equations that use a finite amount of variables to craft an infinite number of solutions, almost like a recipe. The slightest tweaking of the equation can change the result entirely.

The beautiful thing is that there’s still, and probably always will be, the unexplored domains, the undiscovered algorithms, in music and math. With music, keen artists know how to harp on these ideas.

His Mighty Robot, the New York City-based duo (ex trio), proves with their constant experimentation and tweaking of sound that there is no universal solution to songwriting. Soda—after initiating His Mighty Robot in ‘03—fumbled with several band members sifting in and out until the true nexus finally arrived upon meeting vocalist/guitarist H-Rocker. For the last four years they’ve been poking at the ashes, trying to stir a flame.

Finally, they’ve fleshed out their most fruitful harvest yet with The Conflict, their first full-length. It happened last year when Soda and H-Rocker, joined by Barrett on drums, armed themselves with their instruments and set out to record His Mighty Robot’s debut in the heart of New York.

I caught up with Soda to hear a little more about the creative process behind The Conflict, wherein he explained, “The writing process is a natural thing now especially with H-Rocker. We work very well together ... We sit with acoustics and let it roll. Recording the new record was great—we had a whole studio to our self in downtown NYC. Every room was filled with candy.”

The alchemical process of songwriting had been catalyzed. All the variables were finally there: the artists, their tools, their past experiences and the present moment. The left side of the equation was seething, ready to boil, while the right side of the equation was an empty canvas, ready to be written, ready to be solved.

His Mighty Robot’s synapses fired. Their artistic intuitions and emotions began the process of writing an interminable equation. No single element was even remotely insignificant.

“I found a stuffed unicorn that kept me company while I sang my tracks in a dark empty room,” Soda revealed. “And we all sat together in the same room when we recorded the music.”

The album is a careful balance of ferocious tremors and lulling harmonies. The guitar work, reminiscent of The Smashing Pumpkins and The Pixies, sometimes shines through their songs like light through a pinhole, but quickly dissipates.

The song “Your Body As A Crucifix” briefly shifts the album in a more solemn direction. The vocal pattern unravels like a mirror image as male and female vocals bounce back and forth, aided solely by acoustic strums. The result is a fragile equilibrium of sound that balances the rest of the album’s unmistakably abrasive energy.

Throughout the album, gritty drumming and screeching feedback give way to halcyon vocals and euphonic strumming in a matter of seconds. The story unfolds like a dynamic and unpredictable dance of peaks and lulls.

“We threw everything into the record,” Soda explained. “I rip my guts out for everything I record, throw them around, put it on tape and then sew myself up when I am done.”

His Mighty Robot will be unleashing their experimental rock at The Juggling Gypsy (1612 Castle Street, 763-2223) on April 25th. If you think you can solve their sonic equation, the pop test begins at 9pm. But don’t come with your textbooks; come for a show that will be talked about for weeks down the road—years, even. It’s infinite, really.

- Encore Magazine, (April 25th-May 1st 2007), Wilmington, NC

This four track demo originally from 2005 has resurfaced and demonstrates the decadence and commitment of New York's His Mighty Robot to their art-rock craft. In 007 His Mighty Robot is a four piece with a full album "The Conflict" in their back pocket. This recording is now a distant memory.

On this four track EP "Open Your Mind" the band is a three piece, made up of members Soda on vocals, H-Rocker adding a softer melody and some guitar, and Barratt, no longer part of the outfit plays electronic drums.

Opener, "Birth" is dark and haunting with toned down guitars akin to early Cure. The vocalist uses his proud but equally tormented register to describe the frustrating world in which he finds himself. Equally diverse are the vocals of his female counterpart H-Rocker who offers a soothing contrast to Soda's Thom Yorke like crooning.

"To Flourish, To Burn" is an altogether smoother affair, silky male vocals dominate while electro bleeps and H-Rockers winding acoustics blend nicely. One of the major criticisms here is that vocally, the pair too often stray between sounding as loud as lions or as soft as mice. Still the resonating mix of electronica and acoustic guitar will stay in the mind and in turn appease fans of both genres.

Follow-up "The Troubled Mind Of You", again demonstrates the pure talent of the band, stripping down the sound so that it becomes bare and personal. The song itself is an examination of the mind and uses physical aspects of the body to describe the internal deteriation, for example: "Falling to your knees, they are rough, you are lost." Midway through the song everything becomes slightly heavier and the electronic drums become faster and more frantic towards the end. Again, this is done to remind the listener that the songs muse is quickly loosing focus upon the world.

Final track is "All Faces Will Fade". Here raw emotion is each members comfort, the drive to make music and just want to be heard is clearly obvious. Fuelled equally by the influence of classic Pink Floyd and The Pixies more "punkier" work. The songs are at times pure works of art and sometimes rough and uneducated.

This disk is blatantly the first work of one of the finest bands never to be picked up by a major label. www.myspace.com/hismightyrobot / www.hismightyrobot.tv

For fans of: Darren Hayes, The Cure & Incubus.

dom smith
Direct Link http://www.thetalkmagazine.com/pages/back_issues/0802/0802cd_reviews.html - The Talk Magazine, Feb. 2008 (York, UK) Reviews OPEN YOUR MIND

His Mighty Robot closed out the night with their eclectic experimental indie rock. Comprising of Soda on vocals & guitars, H-Rocker on guitars & vocals, and Barrett on drums, this band is uncon¿ventional. With Soda and H-Rocker both playing acoustics jacked up with a multitude of effects pedals and no bass player, the sounds are an interesting array of sonic acoustics.

We featured this band last issue, and they have finally released their full length album "the Conflict" which relies less on the electronic feel of the first recording to go in a more brooding art rock direction. I hear influences of The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, and Sonic Youth in their sound and so far each live performance I've seen by them has been different, and they do add visual elements to the stage which I enjoy. His Mighty Robot definitely has a NYC vibe to their sound and live show, a rare element out here in the 'burbs.
- Aural Fix Communique Magazine (NY)-Vol. 6, Issue 12, Dec. '06

A "concept" album is something I have never understood. I mean I just love good quality progressive music, and fortunately that's what this album from New York trio His Mighty Robot, has in abundance. Of course it's not for everyone and lengthy songs can test the patience, but this (although a lot softer) would give Maynard James Keenan's lot (Tool) a nice run for their money if you want to talk "epic" and "thought-provoking" musical exploration.

The album is set in 3 different movements, taking the listener through a story, epic songs, key changes, pauses that both frustrate and delight and some quality sounds: "The Pursuit Of Happiness, The Conflict & The Death". I urge you to research this band more, as a near 600 word review won't do the music; the artwork and the "mood" of this record any kind of justice.

"Connection of fingers" is a nice introduction to the album a beautiful "indie" effort concentrating on melodic male and seductive female vocals and intricate guitar, leading into the more powerful "The Cliche." A heavier effort (and standout for the record,) that screams of classic experimental influence of The Pixies.

Indeed, the beautiful lyrics combined with un-predictable chords that are trademark of the legends inhabit this album throughout: "My pursuit of happiness I want to find it, but the razors cut my fingers each time I reach into my pocket." Clever lyrics conjure images and a story forms from that.

This band make sophisticated and varied songs that remind us of the true remit of "experimental music," to challenge the audiences perceptions of what music can communicate through great musicianship and time..

"Starlite Broken" conjures images of your darkest nightmares in musical form with some exciting sounds that serve to tease your senses, reassuring you with steady drums but "breaking away" with erratic guitar "waves." This is followed by "Embrace", drums take the back seat while the two vocalists take up conversation perhaps reflecting on the trials of celebrity culture on the youth of today?: "I want to be a star but I cannot embrace." One for your thoughts dear readers, there's also some nice solos at the conclusion of this effort that will make any serious guitarist melt with antici-----pation.

"The Condemned" is simply the darkest "spoken-word," minute long song I have ever heard, I haven't heard a lot of them but the point is, it's dark and it works with the narrative flow. This leads into the wonderful acoustic effort "Your Body As A Crucifix." Female Vox "H-rocker" and male lead "Soda" again work well together on this effort, changing tempo and tone, proving that "progressive" rock can be minimalist and really catchy at the same time.

"Sad Boy," again is a simple but good effort, some "flash" guitar work and heavy rhythm juxtaposed with the angelic vocals of "H" and the "emotionally charged" solid qualities of "Soda's" voice emote our sympathy for the character that the song is cantered around.

HMR are a complicated band. They blend relaxed easy listening with chaotic and rampant pace in their music to create a great record that speaks to an audience who will really listen and really want to. This is not for the faint of heart, if you love music, if your heart is held together by guitar strings, and these strings go insane when you hear the opening to The Pixies - "Monkey's Gone To Heaven" then check these guys out. If not, give them a listen anyway, it's not one type of music, it's acoustic, its rock, its emotional it's not a damn genre it's good.

Link: http://www2.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/hismightyrobot

For Fans of: The Cure, Dashboard Confessional, The Mars Volta. - EyEMusiK.com (UK) Reviews "The Conflict" 12/2006

"I was convinced," wrote author Richard Brautigan's daughter Ianthe, that "my father's suicide was on some level infectious." You can see where she's coming from; in alternative rock, the mark of Kurt Cobain's suicide has been so indelible that it's almost as if the whole genre fears it might off itself at any minute. Strip Cobain's shadow away, give artists a chance to make alternative's themes their own again, and you'd have more groups like His Mighty Robot. A frantic edge creeps into singer Soda's voice as he screams to his lyrical mother to "put me back in!" This is the first breath of fresh air I've heard in the genre in years. - The Hartford Advocate (CT) Reviews "Open Your Mind" 03/10-16/05

Long Island music fans might know Soda from his previous projects (Violet Daydream, A Boy Called Soda) and will be happy to know that Soda is ready to emerge on to the scene again with his promising new project known only as His Mighty Robot. Are you wondering what might be different this time around?

We recently met up with Soda at the delicatessen, and here's what happened!

Longislandmusicscene.com [LIMS]: Hi Soda!

[Soda]: Hey Tim, what's up? Thanks for interviewing me about my new stuff. All the help and exposure is great! Simply gorgeous!


[LIMS]: How did the name of your band come about, and does it have special meaning to you?

[Soda]: It's kinda funny really how the name came about. I was reading an issue of Time Out New York and totally misread what I was reading into "His Mighty Robot" I looked again and it was gone....the words that I was reading weren't even similar to what I had just read and I said to myself...."Well that's a fine name for a band." And there ya have it.

[LIMS]: As a veteran on the island of Long, enlighten our readers with some of your random thoughts on the scene here.

[Soda]: Random thoughts huh? I have been doing this for such a long time I have seen
and done so many crazy things with my music and seen so many other super cool local acts. I just think it's great, whatever "scene" we have now. I think it has grown a lot too....the support is really important and that's why the Long Island Music Scene website is a really great thing. It's good to know you have people on your side.

[LIMS]: What is your favorite part about making music with Izzy?

[Soda]: Well, His Mighty Robot is brand new. I started it in Jan. 2003 so me and Izzy have been working together for a short time but lemme tall ya. I really like working with Iz because he is really enthusiastic and he brings a nice cool breeze with him, you know. It's refreshing. And he isn't afraid to try new things either.

[LIMS]: We understand that you're looking to add a rhythm section. Is there a specific sound that you are hoping to achieve?

[Soda]: Yeah, I'm looking. I just want open-minded players who aren't afraid of something new....I also want a group of team players, people who really wanna get down to work and have some fun and make some fresh new bold music, real straight up!

[LIMS]: What's in store for all the His Mighty Robot fans in 2003?

[Soda]: A lot. Music, shows, goodies, hugs and kisses.

[LIMS]: How would you describe the sound and style of your music, to our readers, in your own words?

[Soda]: At current...it's moody. A nice taste of emotion.....bright and dark. We have no specific sound. It is what it is. When people hear it they will understand. The music will stand on it's own 3 legs.

[LIMS]: Is there something you would like to see more of on the scene here, and why?

[Soda]: Just originality...people who know what and who they are. To hell with those
"American Idols"...those people have no idea what it means to sweat. That's what I wanna see......sweat. I wanna see real people making real music. No more homemade superstars, in the oven for 10 mins. hot, cooled, eaten, and then gone.

[LIMS]: Give us a few pearls of wisdom for up-and-coming musicians who are trying to make a splash. What are some do's and dont's?

[Soda]: God, it's tough. Just do what you do.....stay true to yourself and your art. Just aim to please yourself and you should be alright.

[LIMS]: What are some of your favourite remedies for "writer's block"?

[Soda]: The whole spectrum of feeling......use your energy and channel what you have. Let it all flow, don't be scared to bare your soul. Sometimes you may even have to just sit back for a while and then maybe come back to what you wanna start, or finish for that matter. Just don't push. Don't write for the sake of writing.

[LIMS]: What are you thoughts on the recent Michael Jackson nonsense?

[Soda]: I don't know really....I guess I kinda feel bad for him really. I just think people should leave him alone and stop making mountains out of mole hills. Granted he has done some crazy shit but it seems like everytime he takes a step he's being some sort of freak. When you are as big a star as he is everything becomes something. Look at all the great things he has brought to music....don't bring up all the slip ups he's made and focus solely on that.
That is such garbage.

[LIMS]: Thanks Soda, see ya soon!

[Soda]: Thank you! I appreciate the interest...tell everyone to keep their eyes and ears peeled for His Mighty Robot! Ciao for now.

For more details about His Mighty Robot, and to learn about their upcoming projects, you can visit them at www.hismightyrobot.tv - Long Island Music Scene Internet Interview 2003

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Talk Magazine, Issue 45, Oct. 2007 (York, UK) Reviews THE CONFLICT
HIS MIGHTY ROBOT : THE CONFLICT

A "concept" album is something I have never understood...I mean I just love good quality progressive music, and fortunately that's what this album from New York trio His Mighty Robot, has in abundance. The album is set in 3 different movements: "The Pursuit Of Happiness, The Conflict & The Death". "Connection of fingers" is a nice introduction to the album a beautiful indie effort concentrating on melodic male and seductive female vocals and intricate guitar, leading into the more powerful "The Cliche." A heavier effort that screams of classic experimental influence of The Pixies. Indeed, the beautiful lyrics combined with un-predictable chords that are trademark of the legends in-habit this album throughout: "My pursuit of happiness I want to find it, but razors cut my fingers each time I reach to my pocket." Clever lyrics conjure images and a story forms from that.
This band make sophisticated and varied songs that remind us of the true remit of "experimental music," to challenge the audiences perceptions of what music can communicate through great musicianship and time..
HMR are a complicated band but are not for the faint of heart, if you love music, if your heart is held together by guitar strings, and these strings go insane when you hear the opening to The Pixies - "Monkey's Gone To Heaven" then check these guys out. If not, give them a listen anyway, it's not one type of music, it's acoustic, its rock, its emotional...it's not a damn genre... it's good.
-dom smith
posted by hismightyrobot at 2:20 PM

Friday, September 28, 2007
Aural Fix Communique Magazine (NY)-Sept. '07
Aural Fix reviews our show at Mr. Beery's (9/28/07)...

The last couple of issues we've been featuring the Mr. Beery's Blues Series so this issue I thought I'd featured some of the cool indie rock that has been making it's way to the venue. On this show it was a mix of NYC hipsters and local Islanders, each bringing something unique to the table.
I came in on the NYC band Dead Muse. A four piece with female vocals that employed that guitar pedal effects laden two string magic that trademark so many indie bands. In fact if I didn't know any better I'd swear my Reign of Angels guitarist, John Dorcic was on stage when I walked into Beerys. There was a sort of APB / Gang of Four thing going on the bass at times which I was digging, and the vocalist kind sounded a bit like Clare Grogan of Altered Images, and a bit like Polly Styrene when she belted out her more repetitive lyrics.

Following Dead Muse came the ever unconventional His Mighty Robot from Long Island. This time out duo of Soda and H Rocker came backed by a drummer and bass player, and strapped on their electric guitars for one of the best outings I've seen by them live. I like Soda as a front man, he's got great intensity on stage and this act is quite artsy. They played material off their debut EP like "Birth" which they closed with, and the recent concept full length, "The Conflict" with tracks like "Sad Boy".
Next came another NYC band, The Fire & Reason who I had known from spinning them on the Indie Connection show I used to do for the Inside Connection on RadioX. Fronted by an ex-model and backed by a cranking band, these guys are hot, hot, hot! A recent lineup change has not seemed to have slowed them down as they are working on a new CD and playing live all over town.

Closing out the night was a band that Tom at Mr. Beerys had been whispering in my ear for a while, Robbers. These guys play a tight and lighter flavor of indie rock, very layered and textural in it's sound with a mix of guitars (3 in fact!) and keys.

On nights like these with bands like this it's easy to forget your in the suburbs of Long Island. Who says all the cool bands are in Manhattan

(Direct link to read on their site...)
http://www.auralfix.com/2007/10_07/gigs1.html - Aural Fix Communique Magazine (NY)- Vol. 7, Issue 10, Oct. '07

Five Minutes With...His Mighty Robot
Written by The Dom Saturday, 27 December 2008 20:48



Music - Recorded

New York City based four-piece His Mighty Robot are the real alternative. They are able to blend elements of progressive rock, indie and electronic music in ways that will make you sit up and take notice demanding that you listen. Raw emotion and unrivalled passion form the backbone of this relevant and intriguing outfit that has stood the test of time since its formation six years ago. Co-founder Soda chats to SPHERE about the highs and lows on the rollercoaster ride of HMR.



"We just want it to be real. We do what we do and anything can happen"

S] Can you tell us a little bit about the evolution of HMR over the past few years? How has His Mighty Robot as a concept and a band progressed since your creation up until now in 09'?

Soda] The evolution? [pause] it always continues to grow. Our history is kind of like a meadow of mountains. Tons of up and downs. I am ecstatic to say that HMR still pushes it's way through the mania that is our band and that surrounds it. Over the past year though we have never sounded better. Things are going great. When George [drums] and Mike [bass] joined last September we were really able to advance the band to an awesome stage. They are amazing. HMR as a concept? There really is no "concept" to the band we just want it to be real. We do what we do and anything can happen. We want to deliver straight up shit to people. The world of music is in a rut right now. When I think of bands that mean a lot to me, that's what I strive to deliver. I think we all feel that way.

S] How will this new record be different themeatically from your last efforts, with Acey Slade and Virus at the helm, is it an arguable point to assume that things will be less driven by emotion or personal experience and, a little more 'angry'?

Soda] Those guys are awesome, and they don't have any intentions on changing what we do. They just want us to make the best record we can. We are all putting our heads together and pushing the songs we have planned for the record to their best point. I can't say it will be angrier. It's going to be heavier. But that has nothing to do with them. It's just where we are at right now. And I can't be happier. I think listeners will be pretty jazzed. This band continues to grow and just strives to make something really special out of it.




S] How did the band first hook up with Acey Slade, and how did he react when he heard your early work?
Soda] I had known Acey a bit just by being around, you know? We weren't buds or anything but we knew each other a bit. We talked, and he wanted to get involved and we slowly got into it and now we are full swing. His reaction to what we do was great. It's a great challenge for all of us. He knew when we came in that we weren't just some average band.

S] How have you and H-Rocker developed as people over the time HMR has been around, how does your relationship affect the music you create - can you give specific song examples?
Soda] Myself and H, have a vast dedication to this project. And there are always haters. This project turns six on New Years Day. Six years is a lot in a persons life. You just have to keep treading water. We have a good relationship and we know how to work with each other. So it's great to have a partner in crime like that. There are songs on the new record that get very personal, maybe some of the most personal ones we have ever done. I pour my heart out lyrically more than ever on some of these. I can't give too much away though. But I promise you when you hear it [pause] you'll feel it too.

S] Do you have plans to come to the UK, have you had words with anyone about the possibility?
Soda] We want to, of course. It's hard financially to do that though. But damnit, I want to bring this shit over some water. I think the UK would really welcome us [pause] maybe that's where huge success for HMR waits. We'll see as we continue to lay our path.


S] What are you guys looking forward to most as we head into 09' - What are HMR's main goals?
Soda] I'm looking forward to having this record out and then I'm looking forward to pushing it as far as it will go. The band is ready. And on a side note I'm also having a book published in the Spring/Summer. So...I've got my plate full and I'm ready to eat!


S] One thing that strikes us, is often people wonder why you are such fans of small intimate and acoustic shows - often rock acts shy away from this challenge?

Soda] We love to play [pause] and it's not that we want to do as many stripped down shows as we have, it's just the way it was for a while when it was just myself and H. But in turn we do love doing these gigs because it is a bit of a challenge and the intimacy is great. But it really just makes us a better band. I am happy to be able to present this band in so many different ways. I think it keeps ever - Sphere Magazine webzine interviews Soda, Jan. 2009 (UK)