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![]() gomma label profile
The rhythm is Gomma getcha. “F**k art, let’s dance!” It’s one of the oldest clichés in the book. But if there’s one thing Jonas Imbery and Mathias Modica don’t do, it’s clichés. They seem to do pretty much everything else mind, for as well as putting out their own electro-punk records as Munk and running the Gomma label they also publish the Amore poster magazine and curate the Mondogomma Picture Show visual art exhibitions, showcasing the work of like-minded friends from their hometown of Munich and beyond. “Gomma is about creating a meeting point for people who share the same vision we do,” Mathias explains. “It’s about finding people who create their own attitude and style, and who don’t belong in any one scene or corner. Everything we do is intuitive, so we began the ‘art’ aspect just to make it more interesting than simply putting vinyl out.” ![]() Whomadewho as bears, skeletons Potted history Jonas and Mathias started Gomma in 1999 when they were searching for a home for their “no-wave” disco collection, Anti-NY. But these being the days when talk of punk-funk or ESG would be met by a blank stare rather than a knowing nod by most record labels they eventually opted to put out the compilation and their own music themselves. The first release was the Pin single, under Mathias’ solo moniker, Leroy Hanghofer. Since then they’ve released records by Headman, Munk, Midnight Mike and WhoMadeWho amongst others, as well as a “Dadaist pseudo rap” collaboration with New York street artist The Rammellzee. Label ethos and defining tracks “Everyone on Gomma is in bands and play instruments, but at the same time we’re all DJs, or have another link to the club world,” Mathias elaborates. “We’re creating a musical language between the club and the classic band format.” Which translates as anything from the lubricious disco of Headman to the frazzled rock cover of Benny Benassi’s Satisfaction by Denmark’s WhoMadeWho, or Munk’s own dirty electro ditty, Kick Out The Chairs, with one of Gomma’s most vocal supporters – DFA’s James Murphy. “James has the same wide musical thinking as us. He realises that good music can have all sorts of rhythms and orchestrations, and that a good DJ set shouldn’t be one-dimensional either.” ![]() Hiltmeyer Inc., Whomadewho as themselves The future The Gommagang Vol 3 compilation features rare remixes and unreleased tracks from the last two years. However, looking forward rather than backwards, Mathias is particularly excited about the upcoming second album from Berlin’s Headman, and the preceding single, Raw, featuring a collaboration with Soulwax’s Stephen Dewaele and remixes from Trevor Jackson. “It makes it quite clear what Gomma’s about because it’s a classic house tune but done in a way which you’ve never heard before,” Mathias believes. There’s also a new issue of Amore about to hit the shelves – confirming Gomma as the genuine punk-funk poster boys.
Paul Clarke
Various Artists – Gommagang Vol 3, released 27 February 06 on Gomma.
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