Plunderphonics and the Sonic Alchemy of 100 Gecs

Combining the electro-trans hyperpop of Laura Les and the whimsical alt-punk of Dylan Brady, 100 gecs first garnered attention as a duo defying easy categorization by weaving sonic elements into a chaotic yet coherent tapestry–a collage that is as much about texture as it is about melody and rhythm. They aren’t just sampling old records or snatches of dialogue, but grabbing sounds from the ether of the internet, video games, digital glitches, and the cacophony of modern life.

The Money Machine

The St. Louis duo followed their established method with hits like "757" and "Dumbest Girl Alive" on the sophomore album 10,000 gecs.



Coined by composer John Oswald in 1985, "plunderphonics" is the practice of using pre-existing sounds and audio snippets to create new compositions. It's a technique that has been around since the advent of recorded sound to craft songs that are both familiar and utterly alien.

Dog Food

Released in 1967 on their debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico, "Heroin" is a raw, unfiltered dive into the psyche of an individual grappling with the allure and consequences of drug use. The song is a visceral narrative, with Lou Reed's monotone vocals and candid lyrics painting a bleak picture of escapism while the instrunmental devolves into chaos.



Musically, "Heroin" is characterized by its gradual crescendo, mirroring the rush of a drug-induced high. The song begins with a gentle, almost somber melody that escalates into a chaotic, frenetic climax. It employs traditional rock instruments - guitar, bass, drums, and viola - and is a testament to the band's ability to convey complex emotions through a relatively simple, yet dynamic, structure.