G IS FOR GUSGUS

GusGus are an Icelandic group, including ex-members of The Sugarcubes when Bjork left to go solo.

NME: Gus Gus began as a creative collective of nine members, ranging in ages from 19 to over 30 and spanning a wide spectrum of backgrounds and interests, including two film makers, a computer programmer, a photographer, a DJ, an actor, a political campaigner and a film producer. The original line-up featured Steph Stephenson, Daníel Ágúst, Biggi Thórarinsson, Magnús Jónsson, Herr Legowitz, Hafdís Huld, Stefán Árni, Siggi Kjartansson and Baldur Stefánsson. They assembled almost accidentally when Siggi Kjartansson and Stefán Árni sought a cast for a short film they were making. When shooting was postponed, songwriters Ágúst and Kjartansson suggested they make an album. Polydistortion was recorded in 11 hectic days and was released in Iceland in late 1995. A copy found its way to the UK's independent label, 4AD Records, home of the Pixies and the Cocteau Twins. Liking what they heard, 4AD signed the band and Polydistortion was released in the UK in Spring 1997, receiving widespread critical acclaim.

The second Gus Gus album This Is Normal displayed an eclectic range of influences, taking in several styles including hip-hop, funk, electro, techno and house. Despite their experimental tendencies and often unusual lyrical themes ("Ladyshave' explores a sexual fetish), dance music is integral to Gus Gus" sound and influences such as Carl Craig (who remixed the single "Polyesterday"), Masters At Work, Sly Stone and Prince can be heard. The band have gained plaudits from such respected names as Madonna, Beck, the Beastie Boys, Nellee Hooper, David Byrne and the DJ, Sasha, who remixed their track "Purple" with the Light in 1998. The 2000 release Gus Gus Vs. T-World featured remixed versions of tracks recorded by Biggi and Legowitz (as T-World) before they joined Gus Gus. The band's sprawling line-up was reduced to a core of four members (Thórarinsson, Legowitz, Stephenson and new singer Urdur Hakonardottir) on their third album, Attention, released in 2002.

As for now, their May newsletter says: "Summer is here and our boys in Gus-gus are livelier than ever. This winter the seeds for the “24/7” album were planted in the studio at Önundarfjordur – and the crop will be harvested and disseminated far afield this summer. The testing of “24/7” has been gone over tremendously well in the Icelandic market, despite a national dance of financial crunch in times of crisis. The result of a remarkable diligence and resilience was obvious at the two first SRO local Gus-gus performances in Reykjavik and in Akureyri – you could see the perspiration cover the walls, jaws caressing the floors and all joints squirm and wriggle in amazement and joy !"

A number of tracks from just before and just after the millennium. Polyyesterday is a personal favourite whilst David is a critics favourite (released on Darren Emerson's Underwater label):

GusGus - Polyesterday

GusGus vs Ian Brown - Desire

GusGus - David

GusGus - Anthem

http://www.gusgus.com/

remixes for Remute and Paul Jackson
https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/164646/out_of_trouble

GusGus Supermarket