This story is featured in CityBeat's May 15 print edition.
In the 1990s, Brainiac (stylized as 3RA1N1AC) was one of the biggest bands to come out of the Dayton music scene alongside Guided by Voices and The Breeders. The trifecta established Dayton as a viable music destination, to the extent that Spin Magazine wrote a feature on it. In 1997, the band opened for Beck at a festival in England, and they were on track to sign to major label Interscope. But in a cruel twist of fate, on May 23, 1997, Brainiac’s lead singer, Tim Taylor, died in a car accident. The tragedy broke up the band and upended the local and national music scene.
When all seemed lost, a sort of miracle occurred. Daytonian Eric Mahoney filmed a documentary about the band called Brainiac: Transmissions After Zero. In April 2019, it premiered at The Neon movie theater in Dayton, and the band — including original member Michelle Bodine — reunited for a show in Dayton. Prior to this, Brainiac reunited for a fundraiser in Dayton back in 2017.
Since then, the band has released EP The Predator Nominate, had a feature written about them in the New York Times, toured Europe and will play Woodward Theater on May 31. (On Memorial Day, Woodward Theater will screen Brainiac: Transmissions After Zero.) This month, J-Card Press releases the book Brainiac, written by fan Justin Vellucci.
Brainiac’s ongoing legacy is a testament to the power of the band, whose music is indescribable, though superfan Griffin Hamill described them as “James Brown meets Devo on acid, an utterly beguiling and dangerous concoction” in the book Rebels and Underdogs: The Story of Ohio Rock and Roll. Even though many years have passed, it’s reassuring to know Brainiac, Breeders and GBV are still at it. Brainiac now leaves behind three full-length albums, three EPs, several singles, a documentary, memorable live shows and a strong place in music history.
Brainiac plays Woodward Theater at 8 p.m. on May 31. Info: woodwardtheater.com.
