Words: Jana Miller
Photos: Jana Miller

Appeared:
September 7, 2007
Backstage Lounge, Gainesville

I’ve seen the Killer Robots! several times now and the stage performance only gets more intense each time. To my pleasant surprise, this show included the introduction of two new members since the last time I caught them, almost a year ago: a new drummer, Nimrod, and Rhythm guitarist, Edsel Von Diesel. I found that their addition gave the music a fullness it previously lacked.

Appropriately described as a ”free for all in a late night Godzilla movie”, whose sound is an amalgamation of rock-synth-punk complete with Sci-fi sound effects, the Killer Robots! are a sure crowd pleaser. If you find yourself unentertained at a Killer Robots! show you need to check your pulse.

Just after the music began, the audience was given weapons in the form of giant pool noodles and foam swords to defend themselves from alien monsters while the robots yelled pre-battle commands. Soon after, the “Attack Vortex” opened and candy exploded into the audience. The show never had a dull moment.  Complete with an enticing dancing Pleasurebot, the wrestling duo Mer-Monkey and Rock Lobster, and a never-ending parade of misfits like Captain Zero, Gus the Living Asteroid, and the colossal Motor God .

Local Gainesville aliens helped to form the “Earthling Unified Front," like the Being from Klystron 7! and Ambassador Buitenlander. The show was a great success; everyone had a smile on their face and the battle was won!

Gainesville can expect an epic Killer Robots! show on Halloween at the Backstage Lounge. Maybe I’ll see you there.

Besides the band, Killer Robots! are working on a television show that will combine live action stories, music performance and animation. Check out their website for video teasers and a sneak peak of the highly anticipated Killer Robots! comic book, which is created in fumetti style, an impressive form of comic artistry combining photos and illustrations.

REAX:  What are your names and powers/skills?
Maximilian De Kill:  I'M MAX FOR MAXIMUM POWER! And I fly!
Ishiro Automatron:  I’m Auto, which is Portuguese for MAXIMUM POWER! I can grow a mustache.
Stroboticus Maximus: I’m Strobo, which is an acronym for MAXIMUM POWER! I can vibrate so fast I break down on a molecular level. It helps when I’m making tea.
Bounty Hunter, Edsel Von Diesel:  My name is Edsel Von Diesel. Nothing means MAXIMUM POWER! more than Edsel.
Nimrod:  My name is Nimrod. I spread misinformation and I hit things with MAXIMUM POWER!
Dr. Robert H. Troganstein:  Trog! Trog smash! Trog destroy!

REAX:  What are your musical influences and inspirations?
Nimrod:  The archaic rhythms of the Neptunian forest.
Max:  Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem!
Auto:  Superheroes and monsters such as The Aquabats and GWAR have been inspirations. They’ve found a way to exist and thrive amongst the human race. To those who have come before us, we drink to thee!
Edsel:  I remember when I was young, seeing the "Quadrant 5 Philharmonic Orchestra." It was my first exposure to real music. As I got older it was Cyndi Lauper. I used to spend hours in front of the mirror singing to her stuff.
Strobo:  My biggest influence was Boxcar Willie. His melodic expressions are legendary in our part of the galaxy.
Trog:  Trog like cornflakes!

REAX:  Why are there so many songs about monsters/space creatures, and especially songs about female beings?
Max:  We write about what we know!
Nimrod:  Because there are already too many songs about sports.
Edsel:  I guess it's because they're always around fighting or dancing with us when we perform, we don't want them to feel left out of the show, so we write about them. I mean, fighting monsters is one thing, but you don't want to fight a sad monster that feels left out of the show. That’s just bad.
Auto:  Monsters and space creatures tend to experience life on a mythic scale. Take Gus the Living Asteroid for instance. This guy’s crusty skin is in a constant state of molten lava! He can’t go to the grocery store without the National Guard trying to bomb him to pieces. If we wanted to write a song about loneliness and self image what better subject than Gus?
Strobo:  As for our many songs about female beings, when broken down you will find they are equations that point to a greater understanding of the universe and it’s various energies. We don’t have any answers yet but our experiments will continue I assure you!
Trog:  Trog know. Trog not tell.

REAX:  How did you guys end up on Earth?
Auto:  The truth is we were running from our past. A growing darkness we were unwilling to face. Earth has allowed us the opportunity for reflection and personal growth.
Max:  I wanted more beer so we made a beer run. Auto missed the quickie-mart but hit the entire friggin' planet.
Strobo:  I’m looking for Elvis Presley.
Diesel:  I was a bounty hunter sent to capture the Killer Robots but I decided to stick with them because the partying is better.
Trog:  Trog hungry! Trog eat!
Nimrod:  I’m glad Trog finally figured out those two things are connected.

REAX:  Why do these alien monsters keep attacking you at your shows?
Max: The aliens keep launching attacks but we intercept the location coordinates of their attack vortex! Every time! Ha ha, they never learn...
Auto:  Although, now that I think about it we’ve never asked them. They might be on a peace mission.
Strobo:  I think the incidents with the aliens have been misconstrued. My theory is that they really like us but they have such a hard time expressing themselves that their actions come across as overly aggressive.
Diesel:  That’s interesting. I don’t know.
Trog:  Trog… friend!
Nimrod:  I find that most organic life is jealous to some extent of the aesthetics and contours of our shapely exteriors. I think you humans call it envy?

REAX:  How did you come across your two newest members (Nimrod and Diesel)?
Auto:  Nimrod and Diesel were with us all along. We just now noticed them.
Nimrod:  That’s funny, you still don’t play like you hear the drums!
Max:  I met Nimrod at Waffle House.
Strobo:  I think Trog accidently brought them on board mixed in with some toys that he found on Arcturus 5.
Trog:  Trog like new toys.
Diesel:  I know Nimrod is new. Who’s the other new guy?

www.killerrobots.tv