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The Greatest Bands You've Never Heard 02.02.07: Ima Robot
Posted by Shane Viars on 02.02.2007

No, no; that wasn't a confession of me being a robot, but this guy I work with? Total robot.

Yes, that header is very true. I finally got him to admit to it. And better yet? He's been sent back in time to protect me from other robots. May seem a bit like the Terminator, but I assure you that it is much more of a buddy comedy...

Welcome to the second edition of The Great Bands. After a lapse a week ago due to some scheduling conflicts, I have returned to give you yet another does of some great music that hasn't necessarily reached the mainstream ears.

But, before I begin, I was a bit let down with the lack of feedback. I understand a re-debut probably wasn't the best thing ever, but I want this column to be for the reader. If you guys know of a gem of a band that nobody has really discovered, let me know and I will cover them so that more people do know about them.

But, on to the column...

Shortly after the turn of the MEGA MILLENNIUM~!, Alex Ebert brought together a band that are taking shots at themselves while also tearing down the house of funky disco indie rock. Putting his dreams of being a rapper on hold, Alex decided to begin this band and transition from just rapping to singing, which he does well for this particular style of music.

The band's other original members were Timmy the Terror, Oligee, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, and Joey Waronker. Meldal-Johnsen and Waronker are most notably known for playing with Beck. Waronker, Meldal-Johnsen, and Oligee have left the band since its inception, and now former Oleander drummer Scott Devours has become their new drummer, Andy Marlow plays guitar and keyboards, and Filip Nikolic (Turbotito) plays bass.

The band wasn't exactly setting the world ablaze, but they were able to get a record deal with Virgin records, releasing a self-titled album in September of 2003. Off of the first album, the two most notable songs were the single, "Dynomite," and "A is for Action," which was on the soundtrack and in-game of SSX 3.

Following almost exactly 3 years later, Ima Robot's second album, "Monument To The Masses," was released in September of 2006. The two songs off of this album featured on the band's MySpace site are the first two tracks, "Disconnect," and my personal favorite, "Creeps Me Out."

In the few short years that this band has been putting out music, they have gone largely undetected by a lot of modern pop-music outposts. They are looked over as they have yet to produce one breakthrough "hit" song. The reason this band was written about, was because I appreciate the work that they put into their music, and just because it is very fun music. A lot of bands take themselves way too seriously these days, and these guys can rib themselves in lyric, in the song "Creeps Me Out," Alex sings "Don't you know my last album was a flop?"

The keyboard is put to great use by this band and their distinct, unique sound. Electronic beats are pushed through, and coupled with the upbeat catchiness of the rest of the instruments, it is really a great combination of various sounds to produce something worth checking out.

If you want to give the band a listen, I would suggest checking out their MySpace; Ima Robot's MySpace Page

That is going to wrap it up for this week. I'm hoping to see some hits in my inbox for bands that you think are the greatest bands that I have never heard, because I am always on the lookout for new music.

Oh, and it's only 2 months until I see Undertaker win the WHT @ WM23...be jealous; Long Live Detroit Rock City.