The Moog Cookbook
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Roger Manning, Brian Kehew |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Electronic music albums |
The Moog Cookbook was an American electronic duo consisting of Meco Eno (Roger Manning) and Uli Nomi (Brian Kehew). This project functioned as both a satirical homage and celebration of the quirky Moog records from the late 1960s and early 1970s, which were known for featuring popular song covers performed on the then-novel Moog synthesizer.
During the mid-1990s, the duo released two albums: The Moog Cookbook (1996), which contained instrumental renditions of contemporary alternative rock tracks, followed by Ye Olde Space Bande (1997), focusing on covers of classic rock songs. They regrouped in 2004 to produce "Bob's Funk" for the soundtrack of Moog, a documentary about synthesizer innovator Robert Moog.
In 2005, The Moog Cookbook independently issued Bartell, a collection compiling previously unreleased material including tracks made for compilations, soundtracks, remixes, holiday tunes, and other rarities.
Formation and concept
Shortly after Roger Manning’s previous band Jellyfish disbanded, he teamed up with Brian Kehew to form The Moog Cookbook. Their concept was designed as both a parody and tribute to the novelty Moog records popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Manning remarked that when they first connected, they immediately realized they had to undertake this project—believing they possessed the necessary skills and wanted to execute it correctly before anyone else attempted it improperly.
The duo’s name was inspired by the 1978 cookbook titled Moog's Musical Eatery, authored by Shirleigh Moog, Robert Moog’s first wife. Onstage and in promotional appearances, they donned space suit costumes reminiscent of those worn by electronic duo Daft Punk, although this resemblance was purely coincidental. Kehew explained that their visual style drew influence from novelty acts such as the Spotnicks and the French disco group Space, both known for their astronaut helmets and jumpsuits.
The Moog Cookbook and Ye Olde Space Bande
Their first album, The Moog Cookbook released in 1996, featured instrumental covers of alternative and modern rock songs originally performed by bands like Soundgarden, Green Day, and Weezer. Manning described their objective as “bastardizing alternative hits” by transforming songs they wanted to “destroy and make really gross.” Kehew added that they welcomed all unconventional ideas throughout the process. The album’s liner notes humorously included the phrase "No MIDI", parodying Queen’s 1970s notes stating "No Synthesizers!"
Receiving positive critical attention, the album gained underground popularity. Music journalist Brian Chidester noted its strong international sales during a period marked by retro trends influenced by Pulp Fiction, the Swing revival, and thrift store culture. The duo also performed live on MTV wearing their space-themed outfits, cultivating a niche following in the U.S. that paralleled European electronic psych-pop groups such as Stereolab, Mouse on Mars, and the High Llamas.
Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters enlisted them to create an intro video for one of his band’s projects, while Daft Punk counted themselves among their fans. Kehew recalled encounters with Daft Punk at the music store where he worked and later meeting their acquaintances, French band Air. Subsequently, Manning and Kehew toured with Air as supporting musicians and produced a remix for their single "Kelly Watch the Stars" (1998).
In 1997, The Moog Cookbook followed up with Ye Olde Space Bande, continuing their approach with covers of classic rock songs originally by artists such as Kiss, Boston, and Led Zeppelin. This album featured guest appearances including Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh on their rendition of Van Halen’s "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love". Additional collaborators were Wayne Kramer from the MC5, Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Gos, and Mark Oliver Everett from the Eels.
Later years
The Moog Cookbook dissolved in 1998. Manning reflected that although the project held artistic merit, it lacked financial sustainability since they did not create original compositions or tap into popular electronic genres like rave and house music, which acts such as Daft Punk successfully embraced. Kehew characterized the group as a satirical homage to vintage synthesizer sounds, taking pride in their modest role within the wider electronic music landscape.
In December 2014, they issued a limited-run Christmas EP titled Xmas Recipes (Y Mas) via Bandcamp. This release combined five selections from an earlier compilation with six rare holiday-themed tracks. The EP was accessible for only five days before its Bandcamp listing was removed on December 25.
Discography
- The Moog Cookbook (1996)
- Ye Olde Space Bande (1997)
- Moog (2004) ("Bob's Funk")
- Bartell (2005) (collection of rarities)
- Xmas Recipes (Y Mas) (2014) (limited-edition holiday and rarities compilation)
External links
- The Day the Moog Cookbook Came to Visit – Synth Museum, November 1997
- The Moog Cookbook – Rolling Stone, August 8, 1996
- Glutons for Gear: Escaping into the Moog Cookbook – Roger Joseph Manning Jr., July 2005
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