Katodivaihe / Cathodephase

Mika isn’t really into today’s “electronica” and its computer-driven sound, though Pan sonic have increasingly delved into modern sampler technology as of late. The group also has an “extra member” called Jari Lehtinen who’s responsible for building Pan sonic’s instruments, with which their extraordinary sounds have been created. Mika describes their custom equipment: “We have a synthesizer which is one big box that has twelve oscillators on it; you can connect them to each other and modulate them together. We also have this small synthesizer which is built to an old typewriter — we call it ‘Typewriter’. We have several drum modules to make rhythmic sounds which we are using with an 808. Jari Lehtinen is also building us this large synthesizer that will have eight oscillators and a cross connection board, like the early 70s, late 60s synthesizers.” Alongside Typewriter, also known as “Complex Sound Generator” there is also a self-built, approximately six-metre-long infrasonic tube, called “John Holmes”. Pan sonic also use samplers and a computer-based sequencer, MPC2000, so they can leave the “fishing box” back home (since it doesn’t travel well). Mika says he doesn’t really know anything about computers or MIDI-based music, nor does he want to. He is very much into sounds felt by the body and the effect of frequencies on the brain.

”...techno in its darkest, most twisted form” (8/10) MIXMAG
“Probably the best fun you can have with your clothes on. Recommended” DJ MAGAZINE
“A hard record to listen to, certainly, but one that’s equally hard to take off.” THE WIRE
“An awesome but highly demanding sonic experience.” MUZIK
“...blisteringly acidic...” MELODY MAKER
“Enough ghostly shuffles here to spook out Richard James!” iD
”Panasonic’s fantastic album mixes ultra-minimal electronic fuzz with brain-melting distortion overload” NME
“This record (is) as good, or as bad, as your own imagination will allow. AMAZON.COM