The Infomatics are an Irish hip hop musical ensemble from Dublin. They consist of Bugs, BOC, Steo and Mr. Dero. Steo's brother, Damien Gunn, was lead vocalist and saxman with Tokyo Olympics and previously DC Nien, a 1970s band who at one stage rivalled U2. The Infomatics have released one album titled Kill or Create. They participated in interactive music television seriesThe Raw Sessions in 2009, winning the overall series. Since winning they have been dubbed "the loudest voice in Irish hip hop". They have been awarded the title Sony Ericsson Artist of the Year.
Style
The Infomatics perform with a jazz flute, guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and two MCs. “The Infomatics are four super, super intelligent lads with real ingenuity, ambition and a bloody great pool of talent. They all sing, they all produce and their addictive beats and cleverer-than-clever rhymes are adorned with guitar, drum, keyboard and even a bit of jazz flute.” Celina Murphy – Hotpress 2009 The Infomatics use organic instruments and loops, and their lyrics, dripping with social conscience are 100% honest to their experience of Dublin life. In the day-to-day grind, music is life for the four members. You could go on for pages about how dedicated they are to re-defining Hip-Hop for life in the 09, but that would be missing the point. To Konchus Lingo, Mr Dero, Bugs and beatmaker Boc, music is just like breathing or eating, and you wouldn't wanna be reading a story about four guys from Dublin who are the best in the game at breathing or eating. The Dublin scene has helped them grow but like most of the genre-defining, underground music that has come from this small isle, it is the UK and European scenes that have really confirmed the Infomatics as leaders of the new school, with radio plays and live performances from Belgium to Brighton. In 2008 The Infomatics released their debut album titled 'Kill Or Create'. Leading the plaudits Francis Jones – Hotpress penned the provocative headline "SPIKEY HIBERNO HOP SHOCK" in his appraisal of the ground breaking record. “Quality Irish Hip Hop. No really! Dextrous textures, fierce rhymes and sly humour – The Infomatics' Kill Or Create sees them gatecrash the charmed circle of credible Irish hip hop. Indeed, 'hip hop' seems a paltry tag for music that grinds together rap, soul, jazz and reggae in a pestle of inspired creativity. What's more, The Infomatics achieve the oft talked about, seldom delivered, hip hop feat of 'keeping it real'. You'll find no self-aggrandising here, no bullshit, no bluster, just real voices and a determination to address issues of relevance". The Infomatics live credentials include numerous on stage performances with the best of Hip-Hop talent including NAS, Soul II Soul, ICE-T, The Cool Kids, De La Soul, EDAN, Lupe Fiasco, Immortal Technique and most recently while playing at Brighton's Rising Styles Festival they shared the stage with some of the UK's finest including Blak Twang, Jehst and Skinnyman. The Infomatics latest achievement was becoming The Raw Sessions Sony Ericsson Artist of the Year 2009, beating some of the best up and coming Irish talent to the title. The Infomatics created two original songs as part of The Raw Sessions with Sony Ericsson eight-part television series. The viewing public voted and chose The Infomatics. On top of that accolade The Infomatics were recently featured on the cover of Hotpress with another Northside Dublin band U2. Increasing their on stage line-up from a five piece to a nine piece with the introduction of brass and backing singers The Infomatics now boast one of the best live shows in the business. Are the Info's gonna blow it up? Most definitely !!!
Career
The Infomatics performed their debut live show in the Red Box. The Infomatics released their debut album titled Kill or Create in 2008. It featured a variety of genres such as reggae, jazz and electronica.
''The Raw Sessions''
The Infomatics participated in the music programme The Raw Sessions which was broadcast on RTÉ Two in 2009. They debuted in the third episode broadcast on 26 May 2009 and received a higher proportion of public votes than Noise Control to reach the semi-final to record a track at Grouse Lodge. Their recording at Grouse Lodge featured in the seventh episode of the programme which was broadcast on 23 June 2009 in an episode which also featured Majella Murphy. The Infomatics recorded "Let Me Fly", whilst Murphy recorded "From the Sun" with producers Lance Hogan and Michael Keeney and producer duo Arveene and Misk at Grouse Lodge. The Infomatics then participated in the live final at the Button Factory music venue alongside fellow finalists Dirty Epics and R.S.A.G. and won the series and the title Sony Ericsson Artist of the Year. They also received a prize of one week of recording at Grouse Lodge, a package from Sony Ericsson and a feature on a flip-cover of 16 July 2009 issue of Hot Press.
