Cult of Jester
| Company type | Musical project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Ed Finkler |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | West Lafayette , United States |
| Products | Albums: Funkatron, Golgo 13; EP: Winky Dink and You; Compilation: G13 LTD Demo + Remixes |
| Website | cultofjester |
Cult of Jester represents the musical endeavor led by Ed Finkler, a composer from West Lafayette, who fused elements of breakbeat, drum and bass, EBM, and hip hop into sample-driven tracks. This project produced two albums under the Flaming Fish label: Funkatron (1998) and Golgo 13 (2000).
History
During his college years, Ed Finkler participated as a vocalist and drum programmer in the band Manhole Vortex. In 1993, he created a demo under the name Bubblegum Crisis, followed by the first Cult of Jester demo in 1994, which contained early iterations of "Master" that showcased his distinctive use of cartoon samples. Later that same year, he released a second demo featuring "Master" version 3. The EP Winky Dink and You was released in 1997 by Cult of Jester, along with the track "John Carpenter," which incorporated samples from The X-Files, included on the Flaming Fish/Velvet Empire compilation Awaiting the Dawn.
Cult of Jester’s debut album, Funkatron, was launched in 1998 through Flaming Fish Music, marking the project's entry into electronic and industrial rock scenes. The subsequent album, Golgo 13 (2000), embraced a stronger guitar presence, expanding its stylistic reach. That year also saw the release of the compilation G13 LTD Demo + Remixes.
From 1999 onward, Finkler concentrated on electronic instrumental music under the alias Dead Agent, culminating in the 2009 release of Rehabilitation. In 2017, a remastered edition of Funkatron was issued, featuring improved sound quality and five additional tracks previously available only on various compilations.
Discography
Studio albums
Extended play
- Winky Dink and You (1997, Flaming Fish)
Compilation albums
- G13 LTD Demo + Remixes (2000)