Hi everyone!

We are very pleased to present our debut video for the song “New City Anthem”, which is off our new album “The Tokyo Steel”, available on iTunes now.

The video was brought to life by the amazing team at BKS Crew Productions here in Vancouver, BC.  Directed by the talented Brett Harvey and edited by Stephen Green, the video sees a 2^nd generation “Unreal” on a mission to destroy the band, who are perpetrating the “live forever lifestyle” at a secret, basement dance party.  Confused?  Read here for the complete story of the Tokyo Steel…

Let us know what you think of the video! 

“New City Anthem”

Produced by BKS Crew Productions and Sex With Strangers

Director - Brett Harvey

Editor – Stephen Green

Production Assistant – Jody Nelson

Make-up – Carey Williams

Starring – Carol Yuen as the “Unreal”, Luna Nuhic as the “Requester’s” hench-woman, and a cast of thousands including cameos by members of Adjective, Accost, Girlfriends and Boyfriends, Danny Echo, The Spitfires and Spotlight Carnival.

Special thanks to Mark Henning and Isabelle Dunlop for graciously allowing us to film in their basement and throw one hell of a party! 

The Untold Story of The Tokyo Steel...

Scene 13
“I Will Be The Last One”

The Formers, seeking to restore the "live forever lifestyle" throughout the world, have set Tokyo city’s docking stations ablaze, looking for the one who holds the key to the mysterious Tokyo Steel project.

Meanwhile, as the city burns, the one called Hashimoto scours every corner of the city looking for his Unreal - the original, synthetic bliss-provider that was later used as the mold for the "New Persuader's" 2nd generation of dance destroyers.  He had built here nearly two years ago, but since the rise of the 2nd generation, their time together has been mostly spent underground, hiding from "those in the know".

When the second of the three Tokyo city fires was set, the two left their hideaway and agreed to part ways in the hopes of confusing all those who sought answers.  Lovers in ways unimaginable, the two had agreed to meet at a secret place outside the city’s limits.  Unfortunately, unforeseen damage to her parts and the associated “re-boot” of her system resulted in a change of direction for the “Last of the Unreals”, leading her to a burning docking station for an infusion.

Fearing this scenario, Hashimoto races to the burning station with the hope of saving his prized creation.  It is here where the two lovers, one human and one synthetic, come together for what they now realize is the final time.  Disoriented and confused, the “Last of the Unreals” stares from a window at her seemingly lover, while he pleads for her to flee the flames. 

Meanwhile, a Former can be heard in the distance, motivated by the synthetic screams coming form the station.  He runs towards Hashimoto, hoping to find the answers to un-doing the events of the past. 

As the Former comes into her view, memories suddenly flood the Unreal’s mind – the re-boot has been compromised and she is suddenly aware of here surroundings.   She looks out the window, now realizing her lover is desperately calling her from across the Fire.  Her synthetic fibers quiver with unknown emotions as she comes to realize that it is too late and she can not escape. 

She can be heard saying…”I will be the last one…”

The Backstory...

Having eradicated dancing and desire from the metropolis of New York City, the New Persuader was now setting its sights on the Pacific Rim - a long outstanding haven for those seeking the “live forever lifestyle”.  Bowing to new influence and persuasion, the manufacturers of the Unreals struck a deal with “The Requester” (the New Persuader’s dealer) to produce a new army of “Seekers”, complete with new and disturbing motivations. 

During the construction phase, these 2^nd generation Unreals were infused with a rare and mysterious material know as the “Tokyo Steel”, making them nearly indestructible.  Not only did this silver fabric prove impenetrable, it had the power to influence the minds of anyone that came in contact with it – The perfect, textural extension of the New Persuader’s vision.  Only a select few scientists had knowledge of the material, all of whom were later dissolved by The Requester. 

The 2^nd generation Unreals possessed all of the beauty and poise of the first generation models, which made them hard to distinguish.  With one touch, however, the difference was unmistakable.

With Tokyo.quickly falling under the influence of The New Persuader, word of a new army soon reached an elite band of rebels known as “The Formers”.  Although victorious against the original Persuader and his army of primitive robots known as the “Dance Police”, they were not prepared when one of their own turned to sip from “The Modern Seduction” and rise as the New Persuader. 

Reeling from the unforeseen actions of “The Traitor”, The Formers once again found themselves battling a new enemy and defending the live forever lifestyle from their underground bases.  When word came that the Traitor had set his sight on eradicating ....Tokyo.... of all who dare to dance, The Formers took their show on the road.   

Armed with new purpose and revenge, The Formers made their way to Tokyo with the intent of dissolving (literally) the new army of Unreals – now known widely as "Seekers".  Upon their arrival, they were quickly befriended by a scientist named ________, who was an original advocate of the “live forever lifestyle” in ..Asia...  Part of an elite team of chemists known as “The Enablers”, _________ had unknowingly created a material that would come to be known as “The Tokyo Steel”. 

Initially unaware that she had created something so far-reaching and dangerous that it would change the world forever, _________ was determine to make things right.  Fortunately, she had developed an antidote…A synthetic fire that would weaken the “Tokyo Steel”, and thus the Unreal itself.  ________ wasted no time in providing The Formers with what was left of the formula for the repellent (an explosion had burned much of The Enablers lab down).  Conversely, The New Persuader wasted no time destroying _________ upon hearing this.

The "Battle of Tokyo" would rage on for many weeks.  Unable to fully realize the formula for the antidote, the Formers were unable to fully match the sheer power of the Tokyo Steel-infused Unreals/Seekers.  In a situation that mirrored the one they had witnessed in the "Fall of New York”, The Formers scrambled to find another weakness in the army.  Fortunately, one would present itself in the form of the one they call Hashimoto.

When the original Unreals were constructed, they were formatted with a special code in their heads that signaled it was time to seek assistance whenever damage was sustained.  If an Unreal was damaged in any way (I.e. a “John” attempted to harm them following an encounter), the system within would re-boot and an auto-pilot mechanism would take over, instructing the Unreal to seek the nearest “docking station”.  These docking stations were erected in secret locations across Tokyo and contained all of the technology required to repair a damaged unit. 

Note - It was at these docking stations where the New Persuader secretly injected the first generation Unreals with the “Tokyo Steel”.

Sharing a similar desire to live free, Hashimoto sent a secret message to The Formers, advising them of this construction quirk - The thought being that they would seek out these “docking stations”, wait for the damaged 2^nd generation Unreals to arrive, and then destroy them with their nearly realized antidote.  Every station would be set ablaze.  It was his hope that he and his original Unreal could remain underground until the 2^nd generation units were destroyed.  Unfortunately, The Requester was also hunting for answers, specifically the secrets contained in the original Unreal. 

Eventually, The Requester and his Hench-women would force Hashimoto and his Unreal from their underground hideaway.  Knowing that all of the answers could not be accounted for if they were to separate, the two lovers agreed to flee quietly to a secret hideaway just outside the city limits, away from the influence of the New Persuader.

GO TO TOP

 

From "Backstage Vancouver"
http://backstagevancouver.com/?p=2035

SEX WITH STRANGERS: The Tokyo Steel

Artist: Sex With Strangers
Album: The Tokyo Steel
Release: 20 October 2009
Label: Boutique Empire

I won’t beat around the bush with this review. When it comes to channeling David Bowie and the rest of the 1980s, Sex With Strangers know what they’re doing. 80’s throwbacks are a dime a dozen, but Sex With Strangers are actually making it work, and sounding great while they’re at it. Like their namesake, this band is an exhilirating adrenaline rush that is best enjoyed in the dark.

Title track “Tokyo Steel” is probably the most classic Sex With Strangers song on the album, and definitely the best sample of their sound. You can listen to it on their MySpace page. “Sharpen the Knife” is another classic, followed by “Last of the Unreals,” which is a fun melody for singing along.

An interesting and unusual addition to the album is three short, mainly instrumental tracks that are less than two minutes in length each. It’s a unique break in the rhythm of the album, and shows a different side to Sex With Strangers. I lament their lack of length, but understand that it’s probably for the best. If I wasn’t so attached to some of the other songs, I’d say these were my favourites. “(The Part Where You) Surrender” is definitely a great song. Now if you doubt our ways we will destroy you/And if you lose your mind we’ll take your heart/Under pressure you always fall apart. Perhaps it’s the lyric “under pressure” that makes no comparison other than David Bowie ring true, but I really can’t think of a more accurate influence. As it is, I’ll stick with “Only Where Night Allows” as my favourite song. It channels David Bowie in the verses and has a smooth, eerie chorus that mixes things up enough to keep them fresh. It’s songs like these that make The Tokyo Steel a favourite for nighttime driving music.

When it comes to dance numbers, Sew With Strangers are very much in control. “We Want the Fire” has a great beat, and just the right amount of auto-tune to get you in the mood for a good time. “We Are the Ones” is another auto-tune number, and it’s understandable that their CD Release Party is during a Glory Days dance party at the Biltmore Cabaret on Saturday night.

The album isn’t overproduced, nor is it pretentious. The challenge is whether or not they can replicate their sound in a live show. We’ll find out at their CD release party at the Biltmore Cabaret on Saturday 24 October. Doors open at 11pm. We’ll see you there, in your best dancing shoes!

TRACK LISTING
1. Tokyo Steel
2. New City Anthem
3. We Want the Fire
4. Shibuya 10:13pm
5. Sharpen the Knife
6. Last of the Unreals
7. The Dawn of Sexy
8. Asakusa 12:13am
9. (The Part Where You) Surrender
10. We Are the Ones
11. Only Where Night Allows
12. Shinagawa 2:13am
13. I Will Be the Last One

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=330394791&s=143455

Recorded and co-produced by Mark Henning and brought to life by the amazing artwork of Robert Edmonds, "The Tokyo Steel" is our finest work yet. 

From the dynamic first single, ”New City Anthem”, to dance-floor daggers “We Want The Fire” and ”Sharpen The Knife”, through to the un-charted waters of “Last of The Unreals” and closer “I Will Be The Last One”,  we promise you there is something spicey for everyone.  

Oh, and did we mention that each song is woven together by a futuristic tale of love, steel and robots?  More on that later...

Thanks for reading and we sincerely hope you enjoy the album!

SWS