trapped in the paperless, wireless, timeless and spaceless office

Talking yesterday with artist Polo Sur about music (?), an all time favorite of mine came to my mind: Russian cyberpunk rock band 386DX. A mere 386 DX processor PC with 4MB RAM and 40MB (yes Mega) with synchronized text-to-speech midi synthesis and a human who perform together.

The computer is programmed by Alexei Shulgin who performs onstage operating the archaic computer’s keyboard slung over his shoulder with a guitar strap. 386DX’s repertoire spans from Mamas and The Papas with California Dreamin’ or Doors’ Light My Fire to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, all in beautiful 8-bit Midi.

Since 1998 they have performed all over the world including a performance in the Sónar festival in Barcelona in 2002. The computer itself has also done some solo appearances and in some occasions even played in the streets of Graz in Austria.

Here’s 386DX’s website.

Don’t miss the California Dreamin’ videoclip with 386DX performing solo on a stage and Nirvana’s Rape Me with 386DX and Alexei playing together.

Enjoy!