Mindless Self Indulgence

Mindless Self Indulgence

Mindless Self Indulgence (commonly referred to as MSI) is an American-based band. They describe their music as "industrial jungle pussy punk." Their music is a blend of rock and electronica with a heavy punk and hip-hop influence, often referred to as acid punk.

Biography

Intentionally iconoclastic, lead singer James Euringer (who uses the stage name Little Jimmy Urine) owes sartorial influence to the New York Dolls, wearing fishnet shirts at concerts, and is occasionally seen in shorts or pants with the inside cut out similar to how a skirt looks, and neon stockings. Euringer's outfits and antics are often the focal point of live shows.

Another large influence in the band's music comes from early 1980s culture. Frequently the music contains samples of early 80's hip-hop or rock, as well as Atari-style beeps and tones. Indeed, their second album as a band, 1999's Tight, was allegedly mixed on Atari equipment. Many of Urine's dress styles consist of the juxtaposition of popular 1980s clothing or bastardized versions thereof.

Mindless Self Indulgence is distinguished from mainstream punk, however, by their incorporating lyrics about being gay and related topics into nearly all of their songs - even titling one of their songs "Faggot". Also, Euringer and Steve Righ? possess wide vocal ranges, stretching from tenor to high falsetto. The band also has no qualms about using words deemed offensive by some, such as nigga (Jimmy Urine argues that he doesn't say the word out of anger, and often it is more or less used in the sense that it is used in the hip-hop world), and faggot heavily in many of their songs. Many critics have used their word choice to dismiss the band as juvenile.

And although this may be the case, with some songs being of a 'juvenile' subject and tone, they also use clever lyrics and stance to give meaning to songs, such as "You'll Rebel to Anything", which talks about how punk culture is being exploited by misdirected youths as a way to be unique or get noticed.

In keeping with their confrontational posture, Euringer has been arrested for pulling his penis out of his pants and attempting to set his pubic hair on fire, allegedly succeeding on one such occasion. Other notable stage antics include him drinking his own urine, inviting audience members to punch him in the face and/or throw objects at him, making out with both genders during the show, and roaming through the audience after the set blaring hip-hop music from a boombox perched on his shoulder.

The band's energetic live shows have gained them much recognition. The band is known to stay after the show has finished, signing whatever fans want until not one person is left wanting an autograph. They also take photographs with all desiring fans. They have opened for a number of popular bands, including System of a Down, KoRn, Staind, Sum 41, Mushroomhead, Insane Clown Posse and Rammstein. They have also played many large musical festivals including Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans in October of 2003, as well as headlining the Mojave tent at the 2004 Coachella Festival. They also recently played on the main stage of the Give It A Name festival around the UK.

History

1980s pop culture is a significant influence of the band. MSI's music frequently contains samples of Atari-style or Commodore 64 beeps and tones.

Mindless Self Indulgence is distinct from mainstream rock in their incorporation of lyrics about being gay, and related topics, into several of their songs - even going so far as to title one of their songs "Faggot". Also, Euringer and guitarist Steve, Righ? possess and use wide vocal ranges, stretching from tenor to high falsetto. The band also has no qualms about using words deemed offensive by the mainstream, such as nigga and faggot, heavily in many of their songs. No topic is too offensive or sensitive to be ridiculed. Suicide and masturbation, child molestation, and violence are just a few of the many topics lampooned by the band.

They have opened for a number of popular modern bands including System of a Down, Korn, Sum 41, Mushroomhead, Insane Clown Posse, and Rammstein, as well as having now-popular bands open for them on headlining tours, such as My Chemical Romance, Deadsy, Fake Shark - Real Zombie!, PT Grimm, Kill Hannah, and Tub Ring. They have also played many large musical festivals including Voodoo Music Experience in 2003 and 2005, as well as headlining the Mojave tent at the 2004 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

They will be headlining the second stage on Projekt Revolution 2007.

M dot Strange, (director of We Are the Strange), is set to direct MSI's next music video.

The band is scheduled to make their world television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly on August 1, 2007. [1]

Members

• Little Jimmy Urine - Vocals/Electronics
• Steve Righ? - guitar/Vocals
• Lyn Z - Bass
• Kitty - Drums

Former members

• Vanessa YT- Bass

Past live guests

• Rob Kleiner- Lead Guitar, Live Keys (Tub Ring)
• Alan Euringer- Electronics
• Kenny Muhammed- Turntables/Beatboxing

Discography

Main article: Mindless Self Indulgence discography

Albums

• Mindless Self-Indulgence (1995)
• Tight (April 6, 1999)
• Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy (February 22, 2000)
• Alienating Our Audience (October 8, 2002)
• Despierta Los Niños (November 1, 2003)
• You'll Rebel to Anything (April 12, 2005)
• Another Mindless Rip Off (December 5, 2006)
• TBA (2007)

Videography

"Our Pain, Your Gain" will be released on September 11th, 2007, and it will be their first DVD.

Official music videos

• "Bring the Pain"
• "Bitches" (Live) – Directed by Alexander Serpico
• "Tornado" (Live)
• "Panty Shot" (Live)
• "You'll Rebel to Anything (As Long as It's Not Challenging)" – Directed by James Galus and Alexander Serpico
• "Diabolical" – Directed by Alexander Serpico
• "Shut Me Up" – Directed by Jhonen Vasquez
• "Straight to Video" – Directed by Poz Lang
• [unknown title] - Directed by M dot Strange

External links

• Official Website
• Official Myspace
• Mindless Self Indulgence Fansite
• MSIFan
• MSI Purevolume
• Mindless Self Indulgence MSI on Vampirefreaks
• MSI on Last.fm