Zeromancer

Did You Know?

• An edited version of "Chrome Bitch" was used in the opening bumper for the syndicated radio program Loveline.
• "Flirt with me" was used in a Norwegian program called Singel 24-7 on TV3.
• "Cupola" appears on Beauty in Darkness Vol. 6.

History

The core of Zeromancer met in the influential Norwegian band Seigmen, which dominated the Norwegian rock scene during the 1990s and performed internationally. Two other Seigmen members, Alex Møklebust and Noralf Ronthi, joined them in Los Angeles. James Saes recorded the first demos and served as the band's guitarist. The lineup was completed when Chris Schleyer, formerly of Kidneythieves and Prick (the latter released under Trent Reznor's label Nothing Records), joined on guitar.

Zeromancer released their debut album, Clone Your Lover, on 13 March 2000. The title track became a minor hit at clubs and venues, and the album earned the band the award for best newcomer of 2000 at the German Alternative Music Awards. A music video was made for "Clone Your Lover. In 2001, the band issued the album Eurotrash, which included a cover of "Send Me an Angel" by Australian band Real Life, originally a major hit in 1983. A music video was created for "Dr. Online."

In spring 2003, coinciding with the US reissue of Clone Your Lover, Zeromancer toured the United States with Pigface and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, which expanded their US fanbase. After the tour, they worked on their third album. Released in autumn 2003, Zzyzx featured calmer songs than the first two albums, surprising fans. The album title came from a street sign the band saw while touring in the US, referencing Zzyzx Springs in San Bernardino County, California, a place named to be last in the index of US place names. A music video was made for "Erotic Saints. Following the release, Chris Schleyer left the band to join A Perfect Circle as a rehearsal guitarist; in 2007, he formed his new band Affected and worked with Nine Inch Nails on their tour.