Tribute to Gridlock

Gridlock was an experimental electronic band originally created by Mike Wells in 1994. A year later, Mike Cadoo joined up, and the duo released their first two demos, Sickness and Frozen, and soon signed to Pendragon Records in 1997. Their style was originally akin to the sound of early Skinny Puppy with less vocals and an ambient aspect not normally found in industrial. Eventually, they took on a more epic soundscape; slowly removing their traditional industrial influence and cultivating an experimental sound, combining elements of ambient, drum and bass, IDM/glitch, and noise. Today, they could better be compared to Autechre due to their IDM sound, and to Panacea for their drum and bass experimentation.

On March 24, 2005, the band announced its dissolution on its website, but promised to continue making music under Wells' and Cadoo's respective side projects.

Mike Wells will continue the Gridlock ideology through O2, doing remixes for other artists, as well as a new O2 release. He also runs a mastering studio, Mike Wells Mastering.

Mike Cadoo works under the aliases Dryft and Bitcrush. He also runs the record label n5md and the MP3 label en:peg digital.

Members: Mike Cadoo (Bitcrush, Dryft), Mike Wells (Died: January 3, 2022) RIP
Location: Oakland, California, San Francisco, CA.

Website: http://www.mikecadoo.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Wells-Mastering/62954872613
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikecadoo/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MWMastering
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/haveyoulostyourway
Bandcamp: http://mcadoo.bandcamp.com/
https://haveyoulostyourway.bandcamp.com/
https://hymen-records.bandcamp.com/
https://viasonde.bandcamp.com/

Gridlock - Frantic




Gridlock - Wound




Gridlock - Retina [HQ]




Gridlock - Retina (totem reMix)




Gridlock - Thin White Line




Gridlock ‎- Without [PEN119] (1999)




Gridlock - Further




Gridlock - Trace - 364277




Gridlock - Front [U07] (2001)




Gridlock - Distance




Gridlock - Chrometaphor

The Synthetic Form
by Gridlock





In the mid-90s, a resurgence in Electro-Industrial was firmly focoused on dance-floors. At this pivotal time, two San Francisco metal scene defectors, Mike Wells and Mike Cadoo, connected through a mutual friend. Bonding over their shared appreciation for non-metal influences, Wells, armed with a sampler and a couple of synths, had crafted a few tracks. Cadoo swiftly added vocals to these compositions, and thus, Gridlock was born.

With relentless dedication, the duo embarked on sculpting a grittier, more ominous variant of electro-industrial. Steering clear of the upbeat rhythms typical of the genre, they opted for a dystopian, dirge-like pace. Drawing inspiration from iconic acts like Skinny Puppy, Einsturzende Neubauten, and Fields of the Nephilim, they pieced together the Sickness demo. Eager to share their creation, they distributed the demo to anyone who would lend an ear, including those on the rec.music.industrial newsgroup. Despite numerous rejections from industrial music labels citing its lack of danceability, Pendragon Records saw potential and took a chance.

Thus commenced the earnest endeavor of crafting their debut album, "The Synthetic Form." Upon its release, it marked a pivotal moment in industrial music, ushering in a fusion of classic, experimental, and dystopian ambient elements. Pendragon Records tantalizingly teased the album as "Unleashing a World of Your Demons," offering a glimpse into its bleak exploration of themes like regret and personal turmoil.

Over the years, Gridlock evolved through three subsequent albums, progressively exploring diverse sonic territories beyond the confines of industrial music. However, their journey met an acrimonious end with the duo parting ways, leaving behind their albums as poignant relics, elusive on digital platforms and sought after by collectors at premium prices... until now.

In a heartfelt tribute to Mike Wells, who tragically passed away in 2022, Viasonde, with the blessing of the Wells family, embarks on a mission to reintroduce Gridlock to the world. The four main Gridlock albums will be reissued on vinyl for the first time, starting with "The Synthetic Form" double LP. Available on June 7th, this limited edition release will be featured on clear vinyl with black and bone splatter alongside standard black vinyl. Additionally, 50% of the proceeds from LP sales will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, honoring Wells' memory.

Vinyl tracklisting:

A01 Frantic
A02 Halo (Rebirth)
A03 Suture III
A04 Sickness
A05 Suture V
A06 Pulvis et Umbra Sumus

B01 Suture VII
B02 Retina
B03 Wound
B04 Suture X
B05 Burn

C01 Ich Dien
C02 Empty
C03 Only Living Witness
C04 Thin White Line

D01 Regret
D02 Halo
D03 III

releases June 7, 2024

All sounds & their execution by Gridlock
Cover photo “Regret” by Ross Amador.

Thanks to: B.Cochran, Colm, A. Johnston, R. Millhouse, sAge, JC,
K. Cadoo, Deftly-D, M.Metz, Y-Cart, C. Candelaria, B.Wise,
E. Agular, Empress, Jester, Thorsten, F. Roestel, A. Waggoner, Chase, Lucrecia, Brian, S.Herwig, Salt. With special thanks to the Wells Family and Ross Amador.

© Gridlock 1997 Ⓟ VIASONDE 2024
Published by n5Music (BMI)

Distribution NA: Revolver / ROW: SRD

This release is dedicated to the memory of Mike Wells.

50% of the proceeds from this release will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention @ afsp.org

If you or a loved one are in a crisis?
Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

This is gridlock epilogue one...