Guinness World Records

[Ross]

FSOL have (finally) been awarded Guinness World Records for 'The first world tour by a group without leaving the studio', 'The first world tour featuring live shows played down telephone wires' and, most noteworthy, 'The first internet music download', for their single Lifeforms in June 1994.

pioneers.

I think somewhere in the 'The Most Important Moments' book
was mentioned that they did have the first track on internet (for downloads)
but I think it was Liquid Insects (released on Astralwerks in USA), in 1993, before Lifeforms...

I might be wrong but I'm fairly certain Brian or someone else mentioned this to me...

[Ross]

No, that book also mentions Lifeforms as the first download. Only a clip and at a low bitrate, but the article featured mentions how it appeared before what is widely considered the first example (Aerosmith or something?)

Nice work, FSOL dudes!

After years of being inofficially amazing, it´s now certified they´re "officially amazing"

Grats. x

Wow, that is amazing. I am wondering if anyone still has the original file of the Lifeforms single?

[mcbpete]

Just found the Usenet announcement for it ! ( https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.mus ... 4JWQu1ZmMJ )

Announcing SonicNet, a new independent music oriented bbs located in
New York City.
To celebrate SonicNet's opening, a previously unreleased mix of a
Future Sound of London song will be presented for download.
Caroline Records / Astralwerks will break Future Sound of London's
"Lifeforms" featuring Liz Frazier of the Coctaeu Twins. This
release will be available exclusively on SonicNet. This is the
first time a single is being released and distributed
through an on-line service!

The song will be available to be downloaded on June 23rd, 1994. In
order to connect you need to have a 1200 to 28,800 baud modem. The
telephone number is 212-431-1627. Internet telnet access will be
available shortly.

SonicNet is a member-supported bbs which costs $10.00 a month. The
first month is free.

SonicNet offers Sound Clips, discographies and bio information of
signed and unsigned bands.

In addition, you will find on SonicNet:

- Reviews and features which will be SonicNet exclusives.
- Ticket Sales for New York City- NO ticket SURCHARGES! (will be
expanded to other cities soon)
- Record Store and Mail Order Sales
- Conferences and On-Line events with invited bands, guests and media
- Internet Email account
- Club Listings and Band Tours, along with maps of how to get to the
clubs
- Usenet Newsgroups and Internet/Bitnet mailing lists in public
message areas, so you don't have to fuss.


SonicNet will also provide access to the following service
providers: Blender Magazine, KGB Magazine, Necro Enema
Algamated, Caroline Records, Matador Records, Quixotic
Records, Queenie Records. Dirt Records, Too Pure Records, Insomnia
Record Catalog, and Eye Zine.

For more information email us at in...@sonicnet.com (automated).
Or call the bbs at 212-431-1627

good find! mcbpete! did that take some searching for?

i remember viewing fsol's the raft page on virgin web or whatever it was called back then when i was in college back in the 90's ..took an age to load up but buggys graphics were definitely worth the wait...and didn't they use realplayer soundclips on the site too ?

sorry for going slightly off topic

[Ross]

The Raft page had clips of various Dead Cities tracks as well as a few videos. All Quicktime if I remember correctly. FSOL have been Apple-based since the early '90s.