Freezepop

Freezepop is an American electronic band from Boston, Massachusetts, United States,[1] formed in 1999 by Liz Enthusiasm, Sean T. Drinkwater, and The Duke of Pannekoeken (an alias for Kasson Crooker). Since December 2009, the current lineup includes Enthusiasm, Drinkwater, Robert John "Bananas" Foster, and Christmas Disco-Marie Sagan.[2] The band is named after the frozen snack, and they have described their music as "sweet and cold and fruity and plastic-y".[3]

This article is about the band. For the food, see Freezie.
Freezepop
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresSynthpop, bitpop, electronic rock, electroclash, electropop
Years active1999–present
LabelsThe Archenemy Record Company, Elefant, Cordless, Rykodisc
Associated actsSymbion Project, Lifestyle, Karacter
Websitewww.freezepop.net
MembersLiz Enthusiasm
The Other Sean T. Drinkwater
Robert John "Bananas" Foster
Christmas Disco-Marie Sagan
Past membersKasson Crooker

Several of the band's songs have appeared in video games, including the Harmonix titles Frequency, Amplitude, Karaoke Revolution, Phase, the Guitar Hero series, the Rock Band series, and Neon FM.[4][5][6] Their music has also been included in Downhill Domination and Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 3. Freezepop songs continue to appear in certain Harmonix titles. Former member Kasson Crooker currently works as a senior producer at Harmonix.

The group is popular with college students in Boston and has become part of the US synthpop scene.[1]

Background

Originally, their music was entirely composed on a small portable MIDI sequencer, a Yamaha QY70, which has often been mistaken for a Game Boy. On more recent albums, they have expanded their toolkit due to a lack of variety in the sounds the QY70 provided, but it still remains an important part of the composing process. The release of Future Future Future Perfect only features the QY70 in a single song, that being "Pop Music Is Not a Crime".

Freezepop performing at the Cambridge River Festival on June 18, 2005

In addition to Freezepop, Kasson, who had previously been in fellow Boston band Splashdown, still records as a solo artist Symbion Project. Drinkwater is also a member of the bands Lifestyle and Karacter, and worked with the band Polystar on their debut album. Enthusiasm appears on the song "Boom Box Chic" by Los Angeles-based LeMans Electro.

In addition to dozens of remixes released over the years, Freezepop released a remix of their song "Shark Attack" done by chiptune band 8 Bit Weapon in October 2007. The remix was done with a Nintendo Entertainment System and a Commodore 64 computer. A recurring theme in Freezepop's music is references to science, technology, and mathematics. As examples, the "hi-phive" mix of "Science Genius Girl" features Enthusiasm reciting the first thirty digits of Phi. Additionally, the "Robotron 2002" "All Your Base Are Belong to Us" remix by DJ Nebula pays homage to the Internet meme All your base are belong to us.

Freezepop was arrested in Canada in November 2006 for trying to enter the country under false pretenses.[7] Harmonix pokes fun at them for this in the loading screens for their songs, in Rock Band and Rock Band 2.

On June 4, 2009, it was announced on Freezepop's official website that founding member the Duke of Pannekoeken (originally the Duke of Candied Apples, as well as the Duke of Belgian Waffles, all three pseudonyms of Crooker) would be leaving the band. Crooker stated, "My responsibilities at Harmonix making games continue to increase which takes away from my time and energy to compose and go out on the road to play shows."[8] He also added that he had plans to focus on his side endeavor Symbion Project while also doing Freezepop remixes in the future.[8] His last show as a member of the band was at the Penny Arcade Expo 2009 in Seattle on September 5.[8]

On November 25, 2009, the band announced the addition of two new members: Robert John "Bananas" Foster and Christmas Disco-Marie Sagan.[2]

On April 25, 2016, the band launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a fifth studio album to follow Imaginary Friends (2010). They posted a video, along with a photo of a royalty check of $2.93 that they received for online music streaming services. The band's initial goal was US $30,000, which was reached in less than 24 hours.[9] Their next goal of $40,000 was reached, which allowed the band to also release the album on vinyl. More stretch goals have been set for additional content, such as collaborations and a remix album.[10] They are currently finishing the album.

Soundtrack appearances

Along with bands such as The Aquabats, Bad Credit, and Slowdraw the Hungry Eskimo, their music is featured in the comedy series Mega64, which also produced the music video for Freezepop's song "Brainpower".[11]

Freezepop's song "Swimming Pool" was featured in the episode "Liquid Heat" in the fifth season of The L Word, originally aired March 2, 2008. "Frontload" was featured in the final episode of the fourth season of MTV's The Hills, which originally aired on December 22, 2008. In 2010. their song "Less Talk, More Rokk" was featured in The Fourth Panel, a web TV series from the webcomic Penny Arcade.

Critical reception

Freezepop won Best New Band at the 2002 American Synthpop Awards and were semifinalists on WBCN's Rumble competition.[1] In early 2006, Freezepop's "Stakeout" won in the Dance/Electronica – Song category at The 5th Annual Independent Music Awards.[12]

Band members

Current

Past
  • Kasson Crooker (as The Duke of Pannekoeken, The Duke Of Pancakes, and The Duke Of Candied Apples) – programming (1999–2009)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs, remix albums, and compilations

Singles
  • "Bike Thief" (2003, 12")
  • "Dancy Ultra•Fresh" (2005, 12")
  • "The Rokk Suite" (2006, CD single)
  • Anchor to the World Below (2020, Maxi-Single)[14]

Remixes by Freezepop

Remixes of Freezepop
  • "Duct Tape My Heart" (Remix) (Hyperbubble, 2005)
  • "Science Genius Girl" (Robotkid's Lameboy Remix) (Robotkid, 2007)
  • "Thought Balloon" (Ming & Ping Rethink) (Ming and Ping, 2008)

References
  1. Damas, Jason. "Freezepop". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
  2. "a big announcement!". Myspace. November 25, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  3. "faq". freezepop.net. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  4. "Freezepop track on Sony PlayStation 2 game soundtrack". Side-line.com. September 5, 2003. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  5. "Rock Band Freezepop Pack 01". PlayStation. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  6. "PSPKick Official Soundpack Collection Vol. 3: Freezepop Attacks!". QJ.net. Caputo Media. July 28, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  7. "Thursday, November 9". freezepop.net. November 9, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  8. "news archives". freezepop.net. June 4, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  9. Marotta, Michael (April 27, 2016). "After receiving $3 royalty check for online streams, Freezepop raise $30,000 from fans in 24 hours". Vanyaland. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  10. Freezepop. "Freezepop's New Album!". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  11. "Mega64: Freezepop "Brainpower" Music Video". YouTube. March 4, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  12. "Past IMA Programs". Independent Music Awards. September 25, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  13. "Freezepop". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  15. "Apoptygma Berzerk – Unicorn & The Harmonizer DVD". Discogs. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
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