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Smack Bunny Baby

Brainiac is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Smack Bunny Baby, by bringing it back to vinyl, complete with bonus track, “Velveteen Freak Scene.” Upon its initial release in 1993, SPIN called the album “a noisy little devil that benefits greatly from a fondness for Moog synth and a good ear for (buried) melody.” With its reputation established, the band went on to open for Beck, the Breeders, and The Jesus Lizard. Members of Nine Inch Nails, Death Cab For Cute, Muse, and more have cited Brainiac as an influence. Available on emerald green vinyl exclusively through Craft Recordings.

^{Emerald Green Vinyl LP: $26.00}

Nominate E.P.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the incomparable 90’s band known as Brainiac. Now, in 2023, comes the latest missive of the archive, harkening back to the band’s latter era – and their most prolific and confident period. The Predator Nominate EP is a celebration of what was to come before the tragic exit of ringleader / singer Timmy Taylor. Listen to these realized demos and imagine what only could have been the confident seed of what the group might be capable of in this future century versus the last one. The world will never truly know. 

^{Silver Vinyl LP: $24.00}

Attic Tapes

The music of Brainiac ended with the death of frontman Tim Taylor in 1997. Offered here is a glimpse into the working mind of Taylor as he susses out tunes and sound experiments in their rawest form, mostly alone with a four track in his mother’s attic. Some are mere sketches. Many never again saw the light of day – or morphed so much they are more like distant cousins of future songs. Attic Tapes serves as a blue print for how these types of tunes developed. The entire program is stitched together like a distorted dream. Jumping from one scene to the next, it progresses through all four sides in a historically linear fashion, from the very early days through to the final rehearsals.

^{2xLP Glacial Blue / Clear Pink Vinyl: $35.00}

Electro-Shock For President

On the second extended play from Brainiac, the band decided to use only electronic equipment instead of guitars to demonstrate the band’s ever-evolving sound. Produced by Jim O’Rourke, the EP was intended to be a teaser for Brainiac’s fourth album, expected to be their major label debut on Interscope Records. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails noted in a BBC radio show (May 2005) that Brainiac was “really inspiring to me from a sonic standpoint.” He went on to say that while recording 2005’s With Teeth, he would use Electro-Shock for President as a sound reference.

^{Black Vinyl LP: $18.00}

Hissing Prigs in Static Couture

Pitchfork ranked Hissing Prigs in Static Couture at number 73 on its list of the top 100 albums of the 1990s.[16] It was also included in the site’s list of the 25 best albums released through Touch & Go Records.[17] NME included the album in its list of five albums with production by Steve Albini that they considered to be “essential”, referring to Brainiac as “one of the most brain-bustingly unique [bands] the rock underground has ever seen”.

^{Black Vinyl LP: $19.00}

BRAINIAC – Transmissions After Zero

^{Documentary by Eric Mahoney}

This feature length documentary explores the seminal 90’s rock band Brainiac from Dayton, OH and its creative force Tim Taylor. The film celebrates the life and creativity of one of rock music’s unsung heroes and how people cope with extreme and sudden loss and life changes.

Available at:

• Itunes
• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Amazon
• Tubi