The Anix
Gig Seeker Pro

The Anix

Pasadena, California, United States | INDIE

Pasadena, California, United States | INDIE
Band Alternative EDM

Calendar

Music

Press


"Absolute Punk Review"

“Another solid cut is “Half the World Away,” as Smith’s vocals during the verse recall the hushed whisperings of Jared Leto (30 Seconds to Mars). Also following that band’s formula, the chorus explodes into an emotionally-strung howler that jumps out at you due to the sheer contrast between brooding, quiet verses and a wailing guitar-heavy chorus.” -Absolute Punk - Absolute Punk


"Revolver Magazine Review"

“The Anix sound like the Ministry that made With Sympathy – and that’s not the dis that some fans of Uncle Al & Co. may assume. Yes, the songs are more synth-pop then industrial, with Brandon Smith’s tuneful vocals mixed loud and clean over the electronic roar and guitar crunch. But unlike Ministry on their first album, these guys put some real bite into the music here, particularly on “Bullets Without a Gun” and “The Ghost of Me and You” – enough bite, in fact, to annex any fan of Shiny Toy Guns as their own.” -Revolver Magazine - Revolver Magazine


"Billboard Magazine Review"

“Demolition City,” is an addictive record uniting next-gen new wavers and emo devotees. The effervescent keys of “This Game” lightly bubble and fizz before tipping their hat to “People Are People”-era Depeche Mode, then culminate in an after-midnight zenith at the chorus. The Anix’s advantage of 20 years hindsight and improved technology also protect it from the clunky synth productions that now heavily date the trio’s heroes. Don’t be surprised if you hear this band played alongside 30 Seconds to Mars on late-night top 40.” -Billboard Magazine - Billboard Magazine


Discography

Sleepwalker (2011 Cleopatra Records)
Demolition City (2009 Chamberlain Records)

Photos

Bio

Known for sonically massive choruses and constrained electronic verses, The Anix consists of brothers Brandon (singer/guitarist) and Logan Smith (drummer) and keyboardist/guitarist Chris Dinger. The trio often draws from the worlds in graphic novels and the music of NIN, The Cure and Muse. But with SLEEPWALKER, the inspirations were a little different. Explains Brandon, “For this album we wanted to really explore our cinematic influences first, then pull from our musical influences. I wanted the record to sound like a soundtrack to movies like "The Crow" or "The Dark Knight." The bands we were listening to at the time that also helped influence us were Innerpartysystem, Daft Punk, The Prodigy, Justice, 30 Seconds to Mars, Filter and The Faint."

SLEEPWALKER was produced by Brandon, Chris Lietz and Jurgen Engler, founder of Die Krupps, the groundbreaking German industrial rock band. He connected with The Anix at SXSW 2010, and that resulted in a darker, more layered sound which included programmed drums on top of live drums, and additional sampling. Brandon also recorded keyboards in Stephan Groth’s “analog synthesizer laboratory” in Norway.

The band recently finished a music video for “Glass,” directed by Chris Do. “Inside the video, we wanted to build this make-believe world that the songs are written in so the viewers can get a better understanding of what our vision is. Our music sounds like it was written a few years into the future, and our vision of the future is a dark, desolate place,” said Brandon.

The Anix entered the scene in 2008 with a critically-acclaimed debut, DEMOLITION CITY. Billboard wrote, “DEMOLITION CITY is an addictive record uniting next-gen new wavers and emo devotees,” comparing tracks to Depeche Mode. “Yes, the songs are more synth-pop then industrial, with Brandon Smith’s tuneful vocals mixed loud and clean over the electronic roar and guitar crunch. But unlike Ministry on their first album, these guys put some real bite into the music here,” wrote Revolver Magazine.

The band found a large and determined fan base overseas touring on DEMOLITION CITY. As Brandon also plays in Apoptygma Berzerk, which has a high profile there, The Anix is going to continue developing its relationships all over the world, with European and South American tours planned in addition to dates in America.