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Fischerspooner

From Alfawiki
Fischerspooner
Company typeMusic group
IndustryMusic, Performance art
Founded1998 in New York City, United States
FounderWarren Fischer, Casey Spooner
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
ProductsElectroclash music, live performances
Websitewww.fischerspooner.com

Fischerspooner was an electroclash duo and performance ensemble originating in 1998 in New York City, founded by Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner. The group's name merges the surnames of its creators.

Career

Beginning as a partnership between classically trained musician Warren Fischer and video artist Casey Spooner, Fischerspooner eventually grew to include over 20 members, such as dancers and guest vocalists. Spooner characterized the project’s origins as a performance art experiment that gradually transformed into bona fide entertainment.

#1 (2001)

Their first album, #1, was distributed through labels like International DJ Gigolo, Ministry of Sound, and Capitol Records. It featured singles including "Sweetness", "Emerge", and a rendition of Wire’s "the 15th". In late 2004, Fischerspooner launched FS Studios in New York, offering limited public access to connect fans with new music, video, and dance initiatives.

Odyssey (2005)

The sophomore release, Odyssey, signified a move toward more structured electropop and was issued by Capitol Records. Spooner described the album as engaging with Capitol’s heritage while simultaneously deconstructing it.

The lead single "Just Let Go" incorporated live drums and guitars, marking a departure from their debut’s style. This track was also featured in the television series Nip/Tuck. The follow-up single "Never Win" became the album’s most successful track, receiving extensive club and radio play and appearing in the movie Grandma's Boy. Additional songs like "All We Are" were included in TV shows such as Sweetbitter. Several remixes by artists including DJ Hell and Tiefschwarz were released for multiple tracks.

After releasing the album, Fischerspooner toured Europe with an elaborate stage production but lacked sufficient funding for a comprehensive North American tour. Subsequently, Spooner returned to experimental theater work with The Wooster Group. In May 2007, Fischerspooner parted ways with Capitol Records.

Entertainment (2009)

Recordings of "The Best Revenge" from early European performances surfaced online during summer 2007. The song officially debuted on January 14, 2008, through the French label Kitsune Music, accompanied by remixes from Autokratz, Tocadisco, Alex Gopher, The Passions, and Tony Senghore. Fischerspooner also released "Danse en France" as a single under Kitsuné. Their album Entertainment was distributed by Lo Recordings.

While Casey Spooner was performing in The Wooster Group's production of Hamlet—which included two original songs contributed by Fischerspooner—the duo began crafting new material. Released on May 4, 2009, in North America via their own FS Studios label, Entertainment is their third full-length album, produced by Jeff Saltzman (known for work with The Killers and The Black Keys). Notably, the album cover was listed among Pitchfork’s worst covers of 2009.

Sir (2018)

Released on February 16, 2018, through Ultra Records, Sir was executive-produced and co-written by Michael Stipe of R.E.M. alongside Boots. The lead single "Have Fun Tonight" premiered on June 19, 2017. Another single from the album, "Top Brazil," arrived on January 19, 2018, featuring an electro-pop video that Billboard described as "provocative."

NPR characterized Sir as a reflective montage blending Reagan-era queer motifs with modern electro-pop production elements. The album emphasizes layered synthesizers and drum machines reminiscent of industrial and EBM genres. Its lyrics delve into intricate physical and emotional desires while balancing nostalgia with contemporary perspectives.

In interviews, collaborators revealed that the record explores Casey Spooner’s navigation of a technologically mediated sexual environment alongside reflections on years marked by emotional and sexual challenges with his former partner.

Separation

The pair revealed their split through Instagram on October 30, 2019.

Members of the Band

Albums

  • Bootleg (self-titled, featuring PS1 Cover Art) (1998)
  • Fischerspooner (2000) – released as "For Those Who Know"
  • #1 or Best Album Ever, initially titled Best Album Ever, issued by International DJ Gigolos (2001), Ministry of Sound (2002), and reissued by Capitol Records with DVD (2003) - UK chart peak: #92
  • Odyssey (2005) US chart peak: #172, UK chart peak: #110
  • Entertainment (2009)
  • Sir (2018)

Singles

Year Title Highest Chart Positions Album
US Dance GRE UK
2001 "Emerge" — 127 — #1 or Best Album Ever
2002 "Emerge" (reissued) 18 25 25
"The 15th" 21 — —
2003 "L.A. Song" / "Sweetness" — — —
2005 "Just Let Go" 7 — 27 Odyssey
"Never Win" 17 55 —
"A Kick in the Teeth" / "All We Are" — — —
2006 "We Need a War" — — —
2008 "The Best Revenge" — — — Entertainment
"Danse En France" — — —
"Supply & Demand" "—" "—" "—"
"We Are Electric" "—" "—" "—"
2011 |— |— |— |Entertainment |- 2017 |— |— |— |Sir |- 2018 |— |— |— |Sir


Music Videos

  • "Emerge" – Original cut (2001) and Skin edition (2003)
  • "The 15th" (2003)
  • "Sweetness" (2003)
  • "Just Let Go" (2005)
  • "Never Win" (2005) alongside Mirwais remix (2005)
  • "All We Are" (2006) – Collaboration with Coca-Cola by Rex & Tennant
  • "Get Confused" (2008)
  • "We Are Electric" (2009)
  • "The Best Revenge" (2011)
  • "Have Fun Tonight" (2017)
  • "Togetherness" (2017)
  • "TopBrazil" (2017)

External links

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