Julien-K

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Julien-K
File:Amier Derakh with Julien-K.jpg
Background information
Origin Long Beach, California, USA
Genres Electronic, alternative rock, alternative dance, indietronica
Years active 2003-present
Associated acts Orgy, Dead by Sunrise, Linkin Park, Circuit Freq, The Wondergirls, Street Drum Corps, Vandal
Members Ryan Shuck
Amir Derakh
Anthony 'Fu' Valcic
Eli James
Past members Brandon Belsky
Elias Andra
Frank Zummo

Julien-K is an electronic music group based in Long Beach, California that began as a side project for electronic music created by Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck from Orgy, with the later addition of Elias Andra and Brandon Belsky.

The band's name comes from the movie American Gigolo, where Richard Gere's character was named Julian Kaye.[1]

Their debut album, Death to Analog, which was mixed by Tim Palmer, was released on March 10, 2009 in the U.S., and later on March 5, 2010 in Europe. The album was initially planned to be released on February 17, 2009, the date the United States switched from analog to digital television.

Julien-K's second album We're Here With You was released on January 23, 2012.

History

After the release of Orgy's third album, Punk Statik Paranoia, internal conflicts within the band caused Shuck and Derakh to find themself writing songs that lead vocalist Jay Gordon had no interest in working on.[2] The pair opted to continue writing and recording material, with Shuck stepping in on vocals, before deciding to launch their own side project with the addition of drummer Elias Andra and keyboardist Brandon Belsky.

Julien-K's webpage was launched in the summer of 2003 with initial demo versions of songs "Look at You", "Kick the Bass", "Someday Soon", "Everyone Knows", and "Technical Difficulties", the latter of which was later featured both in the film and on the soundtrack from Michael Bay's 2007 Transformers.

Julien-K lent musical contributions to several video games, including Sonic Heroes ("This Machine"), Shadow the Hedgehog ("Waking Up"),[3] and the official musical score for the 2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game.[4]

In June 2010, Ryan Shuck announced that Brandon Belsky had left the band, to be replaced by long-time collaborator Anthony 'Fu' Valcic.

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Brandon has left the band due to creative differences. He was genuinely not happy with the direction we have been taking on the new record... the band on the other hand is excited and enjoying exploring new territory. We can barely contain ourselves and our new material. Unfortunately a situation like this can only mean parting ways.[5]

In November 2011, it was announced that, while remaining a member of the band, after their January 21 live show in Los Angeles, Andra would be taking a break from touring with the band to be with his family, including a new baby on the way.[6] In January 2012 it was announced that Frank Zummo from Street Drum Corps would be replacing Andra.

Julien-K are preparing for their third album called California Noir which will be released as a double album.[7] On November 23, the band released the EP California Noir including three tracks from their upcoming third studio record. The first chapter Analog Beaches & Digital Cities is currently in progress. Furthermore the band started an Indiegogo campaign to support the funding of the album. The goal of collecting $10,000 was already reached after one day.[8]

Collaborations with Chester Bennington

Julien-K teamed up with Chester Bennington from Linkin Park to perform the song "Let Down" for the ReAct Now: Music & Relief televised concert.

The Julien-K production team of Derakh, Shuck and Valcic also worked with Chester Bennington to perform an exclusive version of the song "Morning After" for the Underworld: Evolution soundtrack and for the remix album of the band Mindless Self Indulgence's "What Do They Know?". The track was released as a bonus remix on Another Mindless Rip Off, with a completely "Instrumental DJ Dub" version being released for free download on their official website.

Julien-K has also teamed up on Chester Bennington's solo project, the band called Dead by Sunrise. Dead by Sunrise has since released their debut album Out of Ashes on October 13, 2009.[9] The band is currently on hiatus for several occasions.

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Both bands are the same. The one where Chester sings and writes is Dead by Sunrise, but when I sing, and Amir and I are the primary writers, it becomes Julien-K and it's more electro... Julien-K and Dead by Sunrise are basically a creative collective, we're sort of a Warhol-style factory in that sense; Dead by Sunrise is Chester's Julien-K if that makes any sense.[10]

During Projekt Revolution 2007, Bennington replaced lead singer Ryan Shuck for the Chicago date of the tour while Shuck attended his brother's wedding.

Touring

In 2007, prior to the release of their debut album, Julien-K was on the main stage for Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour and one of the opening bands for Evanescence's North American "The Open Door" tour, and followed it up in 2008 opening for Mindless Self Indulgence, with supporting bands Fake Shark - Real Zombie!, London After Midnight, The Birthday Massacre and Combichrist.

In July 2010 the band announced their first European tour, scheduled for August and September, playing in Germany, Netherlands, France and England.[11]

Julien-K appeared as the musical guest at the 4th annual Summer of Sonic fan convention in London on the 25th June 2011 as part of their second European tour.

Following the release of We're Here With You, the band embarked on their third European tour.

Julien-K supported Mindless Self Indulgence on their European tour in fall 2012.

Band members

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