"This is a rock and industrial flamethrower - fucking colossal." 8/10 Metal Hammer HCZ review
"THE surprise album of the year. Kicking rock songs for the ultimate adrenalin rush!“ Blackheart-Zone.de
"If fame were a byproduct of charisma rather than record sales, then Kory Clarke would be bigger than God, Satan and David Beckham rolled into one" - Kerrang! magazine
"Holy City Zoo’ is a classic album that stands out and will be recognized the most with its upbeat tempos and fast racing music sending your heart and mind into overdrive!" ReflectionsofDarkness.com
"WITH A collective CV that takes in Killing Joke, Ministry, Warrior Soul, Tricky and QOTSA, LA-based quartet Mob Research were never really likely to be an emo band... This is troubled music for troubled times... Dedicated to Raven’s memory, this is a worthy epitaph for an inspirational character" Kerrang Magazine
“Holy City Zoo” is a savage ride with dirty, Industrial edge, by the sunniest landscapes of MINISTRY, KILLING JOKE and also FILTER. One of the surprises of the year!" 8/10 www.metal.de
Mob Research is the bastard offspring of legendary Killing Joke bassist Paul Raven (also Ministry, Prong) and guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite (The Mission uk, Peter Murphy, Tricky). Both born and bred in the midlands u.k, the pair jammed back in 1989 then went their separate ways, crossing paths occasionally over the years before reuniting in L.A. in spring 2007 to ignite the fire that is MR. Raven enlisted legendary Detroit frontman Kory Clarke (Warrior Soul), mad scientist Legion Davies on additional guitars, ex Queens of The Stone Age drummer Nick Lucero on skins and the beast was born.
Sadly Paul Raven passed away in his sleep in October 2007, more details and obituaries below.... his bass contributions to the album were already completed and the rest of the band have now completed overdubs and vocals for the high anticipated debut album 'Holy City Zoo' in both New York City, Los Angeles and Sweden.. the CD album was released on 22 May 2009 on Echozone (Germany/Europe) and Code 7 (UK) and is now available on CD or download on iTunes & Amazon. The band have also launched their official website at www. mobresearchinc. com.
"Holy City Zoo' was executive produced by Thwaite and Tim Palmer (H.I.M/Pearl Jam/Mission) with additional mixing by Hilton Theissen/Maor Appelbaum and features 10 new songs featuring Raven/Thwaite/Clarke/Lucero plus 7 bonus remixes by SiNDADDY, Akanoid, DJ Rob (Sanctuary Radio), Artemis and Metalmorphosis.
"Making the record in New York & Los Angeles has added a tension to the music due to the rebublican induced climate of fear & the feeling of paranoia & impending disaster in large cities accross the world" - Paul Raven
"Mob Research has harnessed a new sense of positivity when all we see around us is negativity" - MarkGT
"Hard-driving industrial rock to stomp your highly polished boots to" Metal Hammer magazine
MOB RESEARCH is:
Kory Clarke - Vocals
Paul Raven - Bass
Mark Gemini Thwaite - Guitars
Nick Lucero - drums
Mob Research founder and bassist Paul Raven passed away in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border on 20th October 2007. Paul's death was natural causes at age 46. Raven (who is also known for his work with KILLING JOKE and PRONG) was in Geneva working with French recording artists TREPONEM PAL on their new release alongside drummer Ted Parsons (PRONG).
Raven was the charismatic bass player for Killing Joke for many years, also Prong and most recently Ministry and Mob Research. He was a great friend to many and a legendary bass player. We shall all miss Paul incredibly. We love you...
Statement on behalf of the Raven family
"The expression 'one of a kind' has lost its value but my beautiful brother, Paul Vincent Raven, redefined it. He was a one man army, as intelligent, funny, loving and singularly angry a man as I have ever known. His life was truly his own, from its beginning to this awful, tragic end. He was a born saint and an unbelievable asshole. This family's heart is bleeding and it will never stop. To know that we will never hear his voice and see his face again is a wound that nothing will heal. We would like to thank Paul's friends and comrades for their invaluable support at this impossible time."
Daniel Jon Raven.
Ted Parsons (Prong/Swans): "We made a lot of great music together. Words can't describe how I feel right now. I'm devastated. He will be missed by many. He was the king of the one-liners. Please send Raven and his family love and light."
Al Jourgensen (Ministry): "I am in total shock. The world of music is a sadder, emptier place. Not only was Raven an extraordinary talent, but one of my closest dearest friends. Our condolences and prayers go to his immediate family. He will be truly missed by artists, musicians and his fans the world over. The one consolation is knowing Raven's already hooked up with the right people and started a new project in the After Life. Godspeed, Raven. Rest In Peace, you fucking pirate."
Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker (Killing Joke): ''We are all deeply stricken with grief at the unannounced departure of possibly the funniest man on planet Earth and a brother to us all. Paul Vincent Raven unimaginable sadness is felt by all''
Paul Ferguson aka "Big Paul" (Killing Joke, Warrior Soul drummer):
"I am hugely saddened by the death of our brother in arms Paul Raven. I offer his family my heartfelt condolences. It is a testament to his unique character that he is remembered so fondly by so many. Rest in Peace my friend."
Mark Gemini Thwaite (Mission UK/Mob Research): "Although I'd known Paul for nearly 20 years, I had really gotten much closer to him as we started work on Mob Research this year. He was so excited about the future of the band and we hoped to have the record out by Spring 2008.. His enthusiam and determination to make things happen was infectious and I shall miss him greatly. His sense of humour was priceless and, both hailing from the same part of the midlands in England, we shared many a brummie and black country joke together.. His last words to me - just a couple of days before he died - were 'Stay Positive'. That says it all about Paul.. the rock world has lost one of its most shining sons, may he have gone to a better place"
Tommy Victor (Prong): "Paul Raven was a grand-master of our cult, high up in the inner sanctum sanctorum. His status can never be forgotten, nor his presence replaced. One of our heroes. An unbelievable loss, but we are always going to laugh and smile in remembrance. exactly how he wanted it."
Sin Quirin (Ministry): "I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes because you're not physically with us anymore. I cant believe you're not here and it hurts a lot man.. But at the same time I can't help but smile at all the good times we had together. Those are the memories I'll always carry with me and I know you'll be smiling down on me as well. Not only were you a badass musician, you were one of my great, genuine friends, I'm going miss you Raven, but you'll never be forgotten and you'll always be with us."
Burton C. Bell (Fear factory): "I will miss my friend dearly, and I will think of him fondly throughout my days until we meet on the other side."
Wayne Hussey (Mission UK): "Raven was one of the good guys. He became a good friend of Mick Brown first and then gradually I got to know him and we got on very well. He was always encouraging, loved music, talking about it and playing it. The last time I heard from him was a month or so ago. Ironically he emailed me to tell me that it was 'a very nice thing to do to post a news message on MWIS about the death of a fan (Ashira)'. He also went onto say that he loved the idea of the Shepherds Bush shows and was gonna try to get to at least one or two of them. I shall miss him. I liked him a lot."
Marco Neves (Treponem Pal): "DANS NOTRE COEUR POUR TOUJOURS"
I met this guy 15 years ago !! the feeling from the very beginning was a very strong connection !! a true human very optimistic and living the life at 1000 % . Our vision of music and our taste so opened in different ways, to a lot of different sounds and colors, which is so important to create something original to bring us out of the same classic "routine". He was a true rebel, a real "rude boy".... coming up on stage with such an infectious energy to offer !!!! He was using Music as a weapon !!! and the most important was the way he loved to share everything with his friends and all people in general !!!
A VERY UNIQUE HUMAN BEING !! AN ORIGINAL FREEDOM FIGHTER !!!!
PAUL YOU'LL BE FOREVER TATTOOED IN OUR HEARTS !! REST IN PEACE !!
Reza (Killing Joke keyboardist): "Today I found out that my good friend Paul Raven passed away early this morning. Paul was a very amazing man, who I loved and trusted very much. He always had great ideas, ventures and always looked out for me, as if I were a little brother to him. I was very fortunate to be in contact with him several times in his last week and I had great conversations with him, we laughed and joked, which was an integral part of his personality. We had so much more to do, especially with his own personal project Mob Research, which I know he was extremely excited about. I don't know what more to say, as this is such an unexpected happening for me, as we were only talking a short time ago.. I can't believe he is gone. Paul will be greatly missed by music fans, friends and mostly his family; his bands will miss him terribly.. He was a great man and a unique bass player who has died at such a tragically early age. Love to you brother.. I miss you."
Bill Kennedy (producer, engineer):"I am so sad to find out one of my very best friends, Paul Raven, passed away today. He was the ledgendary bass player for Killing Joke, Prong, Ministry... RIP my Brother. Love You."
SiNDADDY (from SiNDADDY, The BonesawS and MOTOREX): "paul raven's basslines have forever been a part of my life soundtrack. i can't think of a more recurring name in my music collection than paul (from Amen to Zilch). i didn't know him personally until late 2006, but instantly found he had a half/half thing about him. you can easily make a long list of these about raven: seriously/funny, largely/small, rudely/well mannered, insanely/sane--- a giant gain/loss to the whole macrocosm of MUSiC in general. RIP, Dog."
Dennis Mollan (Pro Tone Pedals): "When we heard the news of Paul Raven's passing this weekend it was as if all of us had been kicked in the gut. I personally was not prepared for such overwhelming grief. Having worked closely with Paul over the last year and a half we cannot begin to express our profound sadness. We grew a bond based in creativity but grounded in the business world, and watching Raven weave the two was a joy. As many have said over the weekend he was one of the good ones. A Rock N Roll pirate, a freedom fighter, a creative spirit that will not be stopped. We send our best wishes to Paul's friends, family, and most importantly to his children."
Casey Chaos (Amen founder and leader):
"Paul Raven was someone I looked up to as a child, for his music, his unique style, inspiration, and I was fortunate enough to call him one of my best friends over the last 10 years. If not for Paul Raven, Amen would probably not even exist. Paul was the first person to put his money where is mouth was and produce the first Amen album, and even take Amen out on tour to open for Killing Joke in America in 2004. To commemorate Paul's life, Amen will be dedicating our Halloween appearance at London's Underworld and the remaining dates of our impromptu UK tour to him, in celebration of a punk legend. In Paul's giving spirit it will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of a life unparalleled. Amen would like to sincerely send our best wishes to his loved ones, friends, family, and to the fans who will never hear any else who could play bass like Paul Raven, for he will be truly missed by all, whether you know it or not."
Chris Connelly (solo artist, Murder Inc., Ministry and Rev Co vocalist): "Raven embodied my idea of Rock - the fun, the volume, the pirate antics & the hi-jinx. One of my most enduring images has always been when I would be in 'full flight' singing onstage, taking myself VERY seriously and Raven would come up behind me and whisper something hilarious in my ear, walking away, playing with his trademark impish grin...he was a beautiful soul with a giant heart. He leaves many who love him very, very much."
Michael Ciravolo (Schecter Guitar Research): "We at Schecter are sadded at the passing of our good friend and long time endorser Paul Raven. As bassist for Killing Joke, Prong and Ministry his talent, influence and sense of humor will be truly missed. Raven was truly one-of-a-kind!"
Charlie Clouser (composer, producer, engineer, programmer, Nine Inch Nails keyboardist): "A friend of mine passed away this morning. Paul Raven, Killing Joke/Prong. I did a few things for these bands, remixes, programming, etc. I'm deeply saddened. Goodbye Raven."
Dean Karr (director, photographer): "I've known Paul since 1995. We met here in L.A. and immediately went on to make the strangest video of my career for another friend of ours who is no longer with us anymore, Japanese superstar Hide. Ray McVeigh, Raven and I were three peas in a pod constantly up to practical jokes and shenanigans. Raven, you are always my brother. The world is crushed right now at your loss. You left us wayyyyy too early, but I will see youagain. God, you delivered the most monstrous bass sound the world ever heard and your music will live forever and ever. Love you Beastmaster, I'll never forget the laughs."
Martin Atkins (Murder Inc. drummer, Pigface founder and leader): "Paul was an amazing bass player, but he didn't really seem to try at it, just picking it up and playing with a quarter. My drums were louder when we played together, we just meshed, cool as fuck. His passing really hit me in the nuts, our dna is mixed up on many albums, the realisation that it won't be again is pretty tough to bear, it makes me wonder what the fuck I was doing. He was a spark, a bright halogen beam of light, he embodied that much overused word - charisma. He was a pirate (a rogue Jolly Roger said). I think his time was still to come. As the world crumbles expands and narrows he was just exactly the kind of guy you want on your crew. He made graphics for Pigface shirts and designed the Killing Joke Extremeties cover and a couple of shirts for Killing Joke too, he was always doing something. Anyway, I'm starting to ramble and feeling all of this again, my heart goes out to his family and his kids. I liked the end of Al's words, you are right, he's up there, smiling, half way through the other band's rider and ordering room service. Peace, love, respect and condolances to all affected by this sad, sad passing."
Legion (Mob Research): "A gathering of love as best as I could ever witness in my lifetime,
I wish everyone who could want to be here could be here,,,,, I have met people whom I never known before that from the first impression are images of Paul in their own way,,, it seen that a gathering of "atoms of people" for ever what we are, have aligned to see how the awareness of a sprit ,,that in that life of this person we can find the "gold of creation",
He loved without prejudice, almost to a fault,,,,,but mostly,, he showed me how to be a better person, among the first of "spirits" of illumination, I hope to greet me beyond the Rubicon"
Legion (at Raven's wake in France 31 October 2007)
There is a strong belief amongst many artistes that we should do anything possible to assist the homeless . Look forward to meeting you @ forthcoming CAMDEN CALLING EVENTS!!
11TH JULY 09 @ THE TORRIANO NW5 12TH JULY 09 @ THE GOOD SHIP KILBURN 21ST JULY 09 @ THE ENTERPRISE HAVERSTOCK HILL
TORTUGA BAR - STORM EP (VIERSIEBEN RECORDS/FINETUNES) OUT NOW!
This online EP release (5 Tracks & Artwork) is not just an appetizer for the album which follows on June 26 - among the album versions of "Storm" (feat. Evan Dando) and "Feel the Love" it contains a remix of "Storm", made by labelmates Monocular, the track "Cavallo Pazzo (Song For Mondo Fumatore To Sing)" feat. Werner Kureinski, former member of Aheads and "Do It Right", a nice version of the Daniel Johnston song performed by Tortuga Bar and Navel.
quote[Yo Ro ; another brilliant acoustic set man ;highlight was your acoustic mix version of The King Blues' 'my boulder/i got luv/bonkers'...and the new Ashika song 'Shankin'Luv' roll on REBELLION 2009..... WE GO TO THE GATHERING!!! ]quote
Erba Della Strega Aggiornamenti 4 Giugno 2009 http://www.erbadellastrega.it
Recensioni Libri
Marco Di Marco - Joy Division, Broken Heart Romance, Testi Commentati Thomas Jerome Seabrook - Bowie, la trilogia berlinese Charles R Cross - La Stanza Degli Specchi-Jimi Hendrix: la vita, i sogni, gli incubi
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Recensioni DVD
FUNKER VOGT - Warzone K17 - Live in Berlin KLAUS SCHULZE feat. LISA GERRARD - Dziekuje Bardzo
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Recensioni CD
6 Comm - Like Stukas Angels Fall, Retrospective 1984-1990 ANTIchildLEAGUE - The Father A Singer Must Die - Demo 2009 CHRISTANNA - The Survival Land THE CHURCH - Untitled #23
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Recensioni Concerti
FROZEN AUTUMN + ALL MY FAITH LOST @ YOURBAN, THIENE (Vi) 16 may 2009 ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO + LIA FAIL live @ Totem, Vicenza, 30 apr 2009 Little Nemo+Complot+Babel17 @ Locomotive, Paris, France, 29 Apr 2009
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Interviste
MOB RESEARCH/MARK GEMINI THWAITE QuiDaM Katzenjammer Kabarett
REBELLION have been amazing in allowing us to have THE MOTHER OF ALL GATHERINGS @ REBELLION 2009. DJ RO (ASHIKA ) WILL PLAY BOTH ACOUSTIC AND DJ SETS (in honour of JESTER and RAVEN); on the same day as KILLING JOKE. If anyone is going to forthcoming KJ EVENTS before REBELLION, and can help circulate a few flyers for REBELLION 2009, please message DJ RO......... absent friends shall live by love!!!
I can't wait! What am I going to do...The anticipation is too much to bare! I will be wearing Mob Research under my scrubs until the new album hits me in the ear.
DJ RO (ASHIKA) IS CONFIRMED TO PLAY BOTH DJ SETS AND ACOUSTIC SET ON THE SAME DAY AS KILLING JOKE..... REBELLION FESTIVAL 2009..... THE MOTHER OF ALL GATHERINGS!!!!
THANKS FOR THE ADVANCE ON THE CD!! IT IS AMAZING!!!!!! PAUL WOULD HAVE BEEN SO PROUD THE ONLY THING THAT SPOILS IT IS MY UGLY MUG LOL LOVE YOU ALL XXXXXXXXXXX LIVE FOR PEACE FIGHT CONTROL
Online Now!
