Chicks on Speed

Chicks on Speed is a multidisciplinary art group founded by Alex Murray-Leslie and Melissa Logan in Munich, Germany in 1997, later joined by Kiki Moorse and other collaborators, including Anita Brzezinska and Ariane Müller. The group's work is closely associated with the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts and the Munich Art Scene, and they have collaborated with artists such as Douglas Gordon and Jonathan Meese. Chicks on Speed's practice combines elements of Punk rock, Electronic music, and Feminist art, drawing inspiration from Dadaism and Surrealism, as well as the work of Marina Abramovic and Carolee Schneemann.

History

Chicks on Speed emerged in the late 1990s, a time of great creative ferment in Munich, with the city playing host to a thriving Techno scene, as well as a vibrant community of artists, including Gerhard Richter and Rosemarie Trockel. The group's early work was characterized by its use of DIY ethics and Lo-fi production techniques, reflecting the influence of Riot grrrl and Post-punk on their sound, as well as the work of Sonic Youth and The Raincoats. Chicks on Speed's live performances, which often featured Performance art and Installation art elements, quickly gained them a reputation as one of the most innovative and provocative acts in the European avant-garde, with comparisons to Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Voltaire. They have performed at numerous festivals, including Documenta and Transmediale, and have collaborated with institutions such as the Tate Modern and the Museum of Modern Art.

Music

Chicks on Speed's music is a unique blend of Electronic music, Punk rock, and Avant-garde music, drawing on a wide range of influences, from Kraftwerk and Can (band) to The Slits and The Contortions. Their songs often feature Found sound and Sampling, as well as Vocal processing and Experimental instrumentation, reflecting the group's interest in Musique concrète and Indie rock, as well as the work of Björk and Kate Bush. Chicks on Speed have released music on a number of labels, including Chicks on Speed Records and K Records, and have collaborated with musicians such as Peaches and Le Tigre, as well as Malaria! and Nina Hagen. Their music has been praised by critics, including Simon Reynolds and Greil Marcus, and has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including Tarnation and The L Word.

Art and Fashion

In addition to their music, Chicks on Speed are also known for their work in the fields of Fashion design and Visual art, with their designs often featuring Punk fashion and Avant-garde fashion elements, as well as Surrealist and Dadaist influences, reflecting the group's interest in the work of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. They have collaborated with designers such as Jeremy Scott and Walter Van Beirendonck, and have shown their work in numerous galleries and museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and the Centre Pompidou. Chicks on Speed's art practice also encompasses Performance art and Installation art, with their live shows often featuring elaborate costumes and sets, as well as Video art and Sound art elements, reflecting the group's interest in the work of Martha Rosler and Carsten Höller.

Discography

Chicks on Speed have released a number of albums, including The Re-Releases of the Un-Releases and 99 Cents, as well as several singles and EPs, including Kaltes Klares Wasser and Wordy Rappinghood. Their music has been praised for its energy and creativity, and they have been named as an influence by a number of other artists, including Grimes and Tune-Yards, as well as Björk and Kate Bush. Chicks on Speed have also collaborated with other musicians on a number of projects, including The Donnas and Le Tigre, as well as Malaria! and Nina Hagen. Their discography reflects the group's eclectic approach to music, incorporating elements of Punk rock, Electronic music, and Avant-garde music, as well as Folk music and Pop music, with comparisons to The Slits and The Contortions.

Members

The core members of Chicks on Speed are Alex Murray-Leslie and Melissa Logan, who founded the group in 1997, and have been joined by a number of other collaborators over the years, including Kiki Moorse and Anita Brzezinska. The group's members are all multidisciplinary artists, with backgrounds in Music, Art, and Fashion design, reflecting the group's interest in the work of Marina Abramovic and Carolee Schneemann. Chicks on Speed have also collaborated with a number of other artists and musicians, including Douglas Gordon and Jonathan Meese, as well as Peaches and Le Tigre, and have been praised for their innovative and provocative approach to art and music, with comparisons to Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Voltaire. Category:Electronic music groups