the beginning - dramatic line-up changes - new album, new style - Neuroactive turns techno-pop

the beginning

Neuroactive is one of the most successful Finnish technopop bands on the international scene. Neuroactive was formed in 1991 by J.Tuohimaa, V.Rainne and V.Brusi. Neuroactive had their first record deal with Cyberware Productions in 1994 which lead to their first release "Morphology" within the same year. The most successful tracks on that album were "Obsession", "Tension" and "Burning". The first album was mainly influenced by electro and industrial techno and most of the tracks were taken from old demos which were made during the band's early days. In 1995 Neuroactive released the EP "Neuron". It got very positive feedback from European press and audience.

1996 was year when Neuroactive didn't release any albums nor singles. Most of the year was spent remixing, gigging and preparing a video for "Space Divider", which was the song most radios and clubs picked up for their playlists. In 1997 this video won the 2nd prize in the Finnish national tv's JYRKI (MuchMusic Finland) music program in the category of "The Best Finnish Debut Video Of The Year". The highly acclaimed second album "Phonic Trace" was released in 1997. It included hits like "Space Divider", "Surface" and "Shapeless". It introduced a new, pure electronic sound, matched with some catchy synth hooks and more melodic vocals. "Phonic Trace" established Neuroactive in the Scandinavian synth-pop fore front. In 1998, the American audience raised their interest in Neuroactive.

dramatic line-up changes

Shortly after the release of "Phonic Trace" two members of the band, V.Rainne and V.Brusi, left from Neuroactive. J.Tuohimaa decided to continue Neuroactive by himself. At first he thought about making the next album in the drum and bass/jungle vein with guest vocalists and mostly instrumental tracks, but future showed a new direction...

At the beginning of 1998 J.Tuohimaa requested K.Karjalainen (of [Active] Media Disease) to sing a track called "Parallel" which led to a mutual understanding to create an album more in the synthpop territory. They were so satisfied with the results that they decided to continue in co-operation. The current line-up is K.Karjalainen on vocals and lyrics, and J.Tuohimaa on programming and composing. This co-operation breeded the "Parallel Lifeforms" CDM. In the summer of 1998 the "Phonic Trace" CD was licenced to America by a label called A Different Drum. After a few months Neuroactive decided to move entirely onto A Different Drum. The "Parallel Lifeforms" CD single was released on A Different Drum in November of 1998. It has received very positive feedback from the American press.

new album, new style

The third full length CD, "Fiber-Optic Rhythm", was released in March 1999. It reveals Neuroactive's new blend of techno-pop and electronica styles. It has new variable song structures and also guest vocalist MIDIHEAD from Monolithic and Geoff Pinckney from The Nine.

Compilations and Remixes

Neuroactive has participated on more than twenty compilations all over the world: Cyberl@b, 5-years of electronic tears, Risen, Electrauma 3 and Neo-Industrial Resistance, to mention a few. The main goal has been to make exclusive remixes or whole new tracks for each compilation release. Therefore there is plans to release sort of backcatalogue from the past compilation remixes called "Compiled". Neuroactive has also remixed other electro/Synth-pop bands like Blue October, Aghast View, Aiboforcen!, The Nine, Brave New World, and more.

Neuroactive turns techno-pop

"Today I see my music has gone through an evolution, from my own version of EBM through some ambient techno to todays Techno Pop. Today there are some influences from great artists of Drum and Bass or Goa Trance, but mainly my music just stays inside the term of "Techno Pop". I'm trying to get away from the EBM label in my music. As music has to be labeled to listeners -I think Techno Pop includes enough variety for me to move.." - J.Tuohimaa.

All of Neuroactive's music is created in their own recording studio "Soundwave 2000" (previously called Neuronaut Studio). Most of the sounds are created with old mono analogue or analogue modeled synthesizers. Neuroactive's favourite synthesizers are the Korg MS-20, Sequential Pro-One, and Roland JP-8000. Drum sounds are created with samplers and processed with the computer.

"Fiber-Optic Rhythm" is licenced to Cyberware Productions in Europe and to Out of Line in Germany.

The Tour

Neuroactive toured in USA summer 2000. Succesfull USA Summer Synth-pop Tour included tour dates:
May 25th in New York City NY at Lions Den, May 28th in Washington DC at The Black Cat, May 31st in Northampton MA at Club Metro, June 1st in Philadelphia PA at Newmarket Cabaret, June 4th in Chicago IL at Club Neo. Bands that joined Neuroactive for Summer Synth-pop Tour were: Iris, Echoing Green, Cosmicity, Faith Assembly, Neuropa, B! Machine, Count to Infinity.

A Different Drum (USA) / Cyberware Productions (Europe) has released a limited edition 2CD (22 tracks) called "Neurology (1994-2000)" that takes all of the Neuroactive remixes that were made especially for compilation CD's in the past and will put them nicely in one place for old and new fans. This release includes material from the band's early days until the present. "Neurology (1994-2000)" is released 23rd of December 2000.

Another interesting release series is coming from A Different Drum which is called "A Different Mix Vol. 3". This third sequel will introduce Neuroactives remix work on various interesting A Different Drum bands tracks (Alphaville, Iris, B!Machine, etc.) . Out now...

Brand new album from Neuroactive "Transients" was released November 6th 2001 from A Different Drum. Musical style and sound remains unique to all Neuroactive releases. With this release Neuroactive introduces slightly softer side of their work but still indludes some floorfillers like: "Play" and "Wonders of the world".

Next album N-GIN

Neuroactive has finally mastered new electro album: "N-Gin". One of the reasons album was delayed were 'cos during the process of "N-Gin" Soundwave 2000 studio was moved to new location and made new acustics. Album will include guest singers: Viktor Ginner from Rupesh Cartel, Carlene Bachman from Blind Faith And Envy, Kristy Venrick from The Azoic, Nate Nicoll from B!Machine and Kirk Taylor from The Dignity Of Labour. New album will sound more harder and more electronic than ever before...

"This album has been hard release to finish. There has been tons of material made for this album, but only fraction made into the final release."
-J. Tuohimaa

The album should surprise fans a bit with a slightly different twist. New album will introduce band in more faster tempo Techno-Trance-vibe with slight blend of synth-pop melodies. Most of the material is upbeat and therefore more clubfriendly than previous release. Unfortunately Kimmo (Vocalist on last 2 albums) left Neuroactive shortly after "Transients". Check out sample track "New Sensation" on audio page. Track was also released on Alfamatrix compilation Cyberlab 4.

 

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