Entry tags:
The Good Doctor... Steel that is!
For entry the second I thought I'd tackle the profile of one of the go-to Men of Steampunk. Dr. Steel. How does a maniacal genius from the age of the atom spread his message like tentacles across the world in this day and age?
Image lovingly stolen from http://worlddominationtoys.com
THE MUSIC
The answer is: take one part 90's era Tom Waits, an equal part hip-hop music, and liberally mix in giant robots and samples ranging from newsbroadcasts to the muppet show theme. Dr. Steel loves to use accordians, organs, and even an occasional theremin for that 1950s sci-fi horror movie apeal. As far as his vocals Dr. Phineas Woldolf Steel dances in between a Tom Waits style yelp, fast paced rhymes, and a heavy helping of bass crooning.
Thematically his Manifesto explains it all:
"Hello, my name is Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel and I'm crazy. At least that's what they tell me. It's a real load off of my mind too. I mean you can get away with pretty much anything if you're bonkers. It really relieves a lot of pressure and responsibility for me..."
For more on his VERY specific world view go here http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/manifesto.htm
From giant robots, to quantum physics, and even a sad longing for a time that was fun, nothing is off limits to Dr. Steel.
Image taken from http://www.mariolackner.com/DATA/steel/dr_steel2.jpg
THE CASE FOR DR. STEEL
(and to some extent diversifying Steampunk)
Dr. Steel and his toy soldiers are proudly taken into the "Steampunk," genre. That being said many Steampunk niegh-sayers have a habit of keeping the "If it didn't happen in the Victorian Era it's not Steampunk." or claim that "Well that's atomic punk," or "That's Diesel punk." To an extent they're right, Dr. Steel could be considered atomic/diesel punk. However a case for mad scientists suddenly stumbling upon the Atom, and the use of non-coal based transportation is not outside of the realm of possibility in a fantasy genre.
To say that the mad scientist inventor is not a part of Steampunk is to say we can't look at Mary Shelly or Robert Louis Stephenson for inspiration, and to say that "Diesel Punk," is outside of steamy possibilities is to say Full Metal Alchemist and Wild Wild West aren't a part of Steampunk.
I will make the case that Dr. Steel's musical intertwining of propaganda films, his goal to build a Utopian Playland of Fun, his diy mad science aesthetic, .
Image taken from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2696354812_172c5b127a_o.jpg
THE VERDICT
Tom Waits, Accordians, 1950s Sci Fi, Aggressivly Happy Hip Hop, and world domination. If any ONE of those causes your mouth to water you will not be dissapointed in Dr. Steel. Go ahead and buy if you haven't already.
IF YOU CAN ONLY LISTEN TO FIVE SONGS
Back And Fourth
Build The Robots
Marionette
Lullaby Bye
Planet X Marks The Spot
Image from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2696354812_172c5b127a_o.jpg
LINKS
Official Site
http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html
Official Store
http://www.worlddominationtoys.com/
Episode 1 of "the Dr. Steel Show."
Music Video for "Back and Fourth"
Image lovingly stolen from http://worlddominationtoys.com
THE MUSIC
The answer is: take one part 90's era Tom Waits, an equal part hip-hop music, and liberally mix in giant robots and samples ranging from newsbroadcasts to the muppet show theme. Dr. Steel loves to use accordians, organs, and even an occasional theremin for that 1950s sci-fi horror movie apeal. As far as his vocals Dr. Phineas Woldolf Steel dances in between a Tom Waits style yelp, fast paced rhymes, and a heavy helping of bass crooning.
Thematically his Manifesto explains it all:
"Hello, my name is Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel and I'm crazy. At least that's what they tell me. It's a real load off of my mind too. I mean you can get away with pretty much anything if you're bonkers. It really relieves a lot of pressure and responsibility for me..."
For more on his VERY specific world view go here http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/manifesto.htm
From giant robots, to quantum physics, and even a sad longing for a time that was fun, nothing is off limits to Dr. Steel.
Image taken from http://www.mariolackner.com/DATA/steel/dr_steel2.jpg
THE CASE FOR DR. STEEL
(and to some extent diversifying Steampunk)
Dr. Steel and his toy soldiers are proudly taken into the "Steampunk," genre. That being said many Steampunk niegh-sayers have a habit of keeping the "If it didn't happen in the Victorian Era it's not Steampunk." or claim that "Well that's atomic punk," or "That's Diesel punk." To an extent they're right, Dr. Steel could be considered atomic/diesel punk. However a case for mad scientists suddenly stumbling upon the Atom, and the use of non-coal based transportation is not outside of the realm of possibility in a fantasy genre.
To say that the mad scientist inventor is not a part of Steampunk is to say we can't look at Mary Shelly or Robert Louis Stephenson for inspiration, and to say that "Diesel Punk," is outside of steamy possibilities is to say Full Metal Alchemist and Wild Wild West aren't a part of Steampunk.
I will make the case that Dr. Steel's musical intertwining of propaganda films, his goal to build a Utopian Playland of Fun, his diy mad science aesthetic, .
Image taken from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2696354812_172c5b127a_o.jpg
THE VERDICT
Tom Waits, Accordians, 1950s Sci Fi, Aggressivly Happy Hip Hop, and world domination. If any ONE of those causes your mouth to water you will not be dissapointed in Dr. Steel. Go ahead and buy if you haven't already.
IF YOU CAN ONLY LISTEN TO FIVE SONGS
Back And Fourth
Build The Robots
Marionette
Lullaby Bye
Planet X Marks The Spot
Image from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2696354812_172c5b127a_o.jpg
LINKS
Official Site
http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html
Official Store
http://www.worlddominationtoys.com/
Episode 1 of "the Dr. Steel Show."
Music Video for "Back and Fourth"