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MUSIC ROW - June 15, 2006Call Cybergecko For Better Music InsuranceOriginally an artist with passion for film, illustration, game designing/development and event planning, Alex Strang has recently begun his next quest down the road of music production. Nearly 12 years ago, the music label Cybergecko was founded by Strang, and until now, has only produced projects from Jupiter Fly-By, Hartaki and Waiting For Cable, the comedy band that organizes the Puppet Karaoke Universe Show. (PKU) Yet, the successful CD release party for Jupiter Fly-By's "Soccer Every Sunday" at The Rocket Cat Café last Saturady brings a plethora of new ideas to Strang's hyperactive mind. As we spoke about Cybergecko and its possible expansion, Strang was excited to explore the notion of signing on local talent in the near future. "I really enjoy business ventures like cross-merchandising and the whole process of kindlinga band's flame," said Strang. "A lot of bands have the energy and location right. They just don't know how to work their assets and market themselves to their advantage". However, we both were ical of CD release parties emerg"It seems like everyone is having CD release parties nowadays, yet few get any mention due to their failed efforts to spread the word far enough in the right direction," he said. Strang alsop noted the ridiculous fact that some bands now host CD listening parties. "You actually go to a bar and all they do is play the CD for the first time. This, to me, is a little crazy". I concur. I asked Strang if he had also majored in business at school, as he seems to have a great deal of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurhip. He replied with a hearty chuckle, "I probably should have taken some business classes, along with film and illustration in college. But instead I learned about business while I was working in the game design industry by making mistakes and picking myself back up to fix them" A noble effort, one could say, as Strang ahs made quite the name for himself with his patented strategy board game Super Giant Monster Showdown. On his ventures, this Scotland native and British citizen actually developed a rather substantial following for his game in England. Now, Strang is placing the focus back on the ventures of his music label Cybergecko. The label started with the electro-pop quirkiness of Strang and band-mate Har, of Jupiter Fly-By. Strang then compiled selected pieces with Waitng For Cable partner, Scott Purcell - including PKU video. In development, is the work of Hartaki's neo-classical synth sound, led by Strang and neil Cippon. Hartaki plans to have a full-length CD out by the end of this year and by then new PKU footage should also be available on video. Strang has recently ventured into cross-merchandising through PKU by having other bands host the night. "I really want to create a win-win situation here, where everyone has fun at the PKU Show but also the band that is hosting gets to plaster their name everywhere and gain recognition through Waiting For Cable," he said. If you've never seen the wonderful oddity that is PKU you probably will not find this anywhere else. Mainly performing at the M-Room on Girard Ave, PKU is exactly what the name states: Puppet Karaoke. You can either BYO Puppet or build one with their supplies for the evening and anyone can participate. Strang enjoys the eccentricities that few accomplish themselves in these days; all whiel maintaining a sustainable life. Just as we all dreamed and dismissed the work-life of Tom Hanks in Big (thinking no real person can play with toys for a living), Alex Strang has brought this awe-inspiring reality to life. And to top it all off, he now gets to play music and dance around with puppets. To find out more about Cybergecko music label, visit www.cybergecko.com and navigate from there to see all other entities of Alex Strang. |